The former heavyweight champion of the world is putting the City Beautiful in his corner.

Mike Tyson bought two condo units in the Ritz-Carlton Residences Orlando Grande Lakes for a combined $4.5 million from an entity tied to Unicorp National Developments, which owns the property, in deals which closed Feb. 25, according to a deed filed with Orange County.

Mike Tyson didn’t just fight—he overwhelmed, he intimidated, he devoured. Before the first punch was ever thrown, before the bell even rang, he had already won half the battle. The black trunks. The silent walk to the ring. The cold, dead-eyed stare. It was all part of the act—except it wasn’t an act at all.
And then there was the glove bite.It wasn’t for show, and it wasn’t just some quirky pre-fight ritual. It was raw instinct, a signal to himself and the world that he was ready to go to war. The question is: why?
Why Mike Tyson Bit His Gloves
Mike Tyson never gave a detailed explanation for why he did it, but it was something he did before nearly every fight. He’d stand in the corner, shifting his weight, chewing down on his gloves like a predator about to pounce. It wasn’t superstition. It wasn’t routine. It was something deeper.In his memoir Undisputed Truth, Tyson talked about his mindset before fights: “When I go in the ring, I’m a god. No one can beat me. That’s how I think.”

This was a man who didn’t just want to win—he wanted to dominate. His former trainer, Teddy Atlas, once said, “Mike always had this need to convince himself he was a monster before a fight.”
That switch had to be flipped. The stare-downs, the walkouts, the sheer stillness before the chaos—it was all part of stepping into a mindset where hesitation didn’t exist. The glove bite? That was just another piece of it.

Of course, when people think of Tyson and biting, they don’t think of his gloves. They think of June 28, 1997.The rematch with Evander Holyfield was already heated. Tyson had lost their first fight and was frustrated by what he saw as repeated headbutts. In the third round, he snapped.The first bite was bad. The second was worse. A piece of Holyfield’s ear hit the canvas. Tyson was disqualified, his boxing license revoked, and a $3 million fine followed.

Ever wondered what it would be like to sit down with one of your favorite celebrities and get a peek into their world? To hear their thoughts, gain a bit of wisdom, or discover their favorite things firsthand? Well, here’s your chance!

Mike Tyson is known worldwide for his prowess in the ring, but outside of boxing, he’s a man of surprising tastes and interests. In this candid Q&A, the former heavyweight champion shares a lighter side of his personality, diving into his favorite foods, go-to beverages, and hobbies that bring him joy. From unexpected culinary preferences to how he unwinds in his free time, Tyson gives us a glimpse into his life beyond the spotlight.

• When you’re in the mood for a drink, what is your beverage of choice?

I love homemade Raspberry Zinger tea with agave. When I’m out, I’ll order a mocktail that consists of ginger ale and cranberry juice.

•  Do you have a go-to restaurant you love to frequent and what is your favorite item on the menu?

I love Catch. Everything on the menu is good, but I can’t get enough of their vegan spaghetti entree. I also like old school Pierro’s and always order the garbage caesar salad.

•  Of all the places you’ve been, which one is a destination you would want to go back to time and time again? 

I really love Saint Barts and the south of France. My daughter trains in the south of France and we frequent it often. It’s just such an awesome place.

• If you were rating the hotels you’ve stayed at, which one would receive a rave review and why?

Hands down, the Waldorf Astoria in Beverly Hills. The service is unmatched and since they know me so well, they always make my stay extra special. It feels like my home away from home.

• What is your favorite home-cooked meal?

My wife cooks seafood dishes all the time. Her spaghetti with mussels and scallops in a garlic, basil and marinara sauce is my absolute favorite dish.

• Plane, train, boat, or car – what is your favorite mode of transportation?

If the ride is short enough, I prefer being driven around in my Sprinter van. It’s comfortable and private.

• . What song could you listen to on repeat and never get sick of it?

If you ask my wife, there are a few of them. It depends on what kind of mood I’m in, but lately it’s been Phyllis Hyman’s “I Don’t Want to Lose You.”

• What is one of your favorite quotes and why does it resonate with you?

“Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth,” quoted by me. This statement is a great metaphor for life. We all have a plan and then life kicks our ass a little bit, forcing us to come up with a new plan or shift things around a bit. It’s character building 101.

•  When it comes to satisfying your sweet tooth, what is your dessert of choice?

If I’m being fancy, key lime pie. But I usually crave Blue Bell’s cookies and cream ice cream.

• What’s an experience at the top of your bucket list that you can’t wait to check off?

You know, I’m not really a bucket list kind of guy. I already feel like I have lived more than nine lives. What’s most important to me now is making quality time for my family and just being present. So, my bucket list is to live in the here and now, making the most of every moment.

•  What is your favorite pastime?

Being in my bird coop, of course.

•  What is your favorite animal and why?

Pigeons are my favorite but specifically pedigree bloodlines of rolling pigeons. When I was younger, I used to like flying them and watching them roll out of the sky. As I’ve grown, I really love the breeding process. I have connected with the kings of the pigeon world and have quite a bloodline. I’m looking forward to participating in an international competition soon.

•  What is your all-time favorite movie? Can you share a memorable quote, character or storyline from it?

You might be surprised, but my taste in movies varies and I’ll watch anything from Gladiator to The Notebook.

•  Who is your favorite travel companion and why?

My wife and kids. I absolutely love being with my family. We get each other’s humor and it’s just always great being in their company.

Wrapping up our conversation with Mike Tyson, it’s clear that the man behind the legend is as multifaceted as he is iconic. From his candid reflections to his lighthearted insights on food, drinks, and pastimes, Tyson is a testament to resilience, growth, and the importance of enjoying life’s simple pleasures. At the end of the day, we’re reminded that even the most formidable champions have a human side—one filled with stories, passions, and a genuine love for living.

Mike Tyson has singled out his ‘smartest’ opponent from a career that featured wins over Larry Holmes, Frank Bruno and Evander Holyfield.

Iron Mike, who became the youngest heavyweight champion of the world in 1986 at the age of 20, will go down as one of the all-time greats.

In total, the New York-born fighter took part in 58 professional bouts between 1985 and 2005, where he recorded 50 wins and just six defeats.

He often displayed unrivalled power and speed, with his impressive record of 44 victories via knockout being a testament to Tyson’s relentless style.

But which one of his opponents was the smartest?

Buster Douglas shocked the world with a 10th-round knockout of Tyson in 1990, while Lennox Lewis recorded a famous KO win against “the Baddest Man on the Planet” in 2002.

However, former heavyweight champion Larry Holmes was Tyson’s stand-out opponent when it came to ring intelligence.

After the pair came to blows in 1988 when Tyson was just 21, Iron’ Mike emerged victorious with a fourth-round knockout, inflicting a third straight defeat for the long-time heavyweight champion.

When previously asked to name the smartest he came up against, the 58-year-old told The Ring: “Larry Holmes was the smartest of all. It comes with being a champion for seven years.”

Tyson went on to name Holmes as having the best defence, adding: “Even though I did win inside the distance, he was very tough to hit cleanly.”

Mike Tyson is widely considered to be one of the greatest boxing professionals in history, however, he believes there is one man who clears him completely in punch strength.

Tyson may be more known nowadays for losing a boxing match to former YouTuber Jake Paul, an event which was watched by millions on Netflix, but don’t for a moment think this loss should be used as a reflection of his career overall.

After all, there’s a reason he’s known as ‘Iron Mike’.

With an overall record of 50 wins, 7 losses, and 2 no contests, Tyson’s place in boxing history was earned after he became the youngest fighter to ever hold the heavyweight title at age 20.

Tyson also won his first 19 professional fights by knockout, with 12 of those coming in the first round.

Which should give you an idea of how painful it would be to have been punched by Iron Mike in his prime.

Many boxing experts have even gone on to consider Tyson one of the hardest punchers in the history of the sport, but this isn’t a title which the 58-year-old necessarily agrees with.

When asked who he believed to be the hardest hitter ever to grace the heavyweight division, Tyson didn’t name himself but instead suggested George Foreman — yes, that George Foreman.

“[It’s George Foreman],” he reportedly told Fight Camp (via TalkSport). “I can’t match somebody’s power who’s that big and that much man.

“Only thing that allowed me to be exciting was that I did it faster than the other guys.”

Nicknamed ‘Big George’, Foreman enjoyed a boxing career which spanned three decades and only lost five of his 81 fights, with 68 of his wins coming from a knock out.

His most famous loss would come against Muhammad Ali in 1974’s ‘Rumble in the Jungle’, which ultimately saw Foreman handing over the heavyweight title and taking a year out.

Foreman has also proved that he has talents which exist outside of the boxing ring by launching his universally famous George Foreman grill in 1994, a cooking appliance which definitely featured in most of our homes growing up.

Tyson also admitted in the interview that he didn’t believe his power came naturally either, adding: “Nothing about me was natural… Only my desire to win was natural, I had a great teacher.

“Only you can do that. You’re born with it but somebody has to elicit that.”

There is one fighter who has revealed his regret over facing the once-formidable ‘Iron’ Mike Tyson.

In his prime, Tyson was a force to be reckoned with amongst the heavyweight division. He remained undefeated through his first 37 contests as a professional, picking up the world heavyweight championship for the first time when he knocked out Trevor Berbick in the 2nd-round of their bout in 1986, becoming the youngest heavyweight champion in boxing history.

Tyson’s first career defeat came in a huge upset against James ‘Buster’ Douglas in February 1990. surrendering his undisputed heavyweight championship in what is described as one of the biggest upsets in the sport’s history.

Another legend of heavyweight boxing who faced ‘Iron’ Mike over 30-years ago once revealed how he regretted facing his former rival, claiming he only did it for the ‘money’.

Known as ‘The Easton Assassin’, Larry Holmes spoke in an interview with The Telegraph about his 1988 showdown with Tyson.

“I shouldn’t have come out of retirement against him. I fought Mike Tyson and I lost. He stopped me. Tyson could punch, you can’t take that away from him. He would stand in front of you, try and push you against the ropes, but he wouldn’t have been able to do that to me in my prime. I would have beaten him.”

Holmes then revealed the sole reason for opting to face his former heavyweight rival.

“Money. It’s the money.”

‘The Easton Assassin’ hadn’t fought in just under two-years when he challenged Tyson for the undisputed heavyweight championship in January 1988. The 75-year-old from Cuthbert, Georgia was blasted out by ‘Iron’ Mike in the fourth round of their bout, falling short in his chance to become a two-time heavyweight champion of the world.

Mike Tyson is widely considered to be one of the greatest boxing professionals in history, however, he believes there is one man who clears him completely in punch strength.

Tyson may be more known nowadays for losing a boxing match to former YouTuber Jake Paul, an event which was watched by millions on Netflix, but don’t for a moment think this loss should be used as a reflection of his career overall.

After all, there’s a reason he’s known as ‘Iron Mike’.

With an overall record of 50 wins, 7 losses, and 2 no contests, Tyson’s place in boxing history was earned after he became the youngest fighter to ever hold the heavyweight title at age 20.

Tyson also won his first 19 professional fights by knockout, with 12 of those coming in the first round.

Which should give you an idea of how painful it would be to have been punched by Iron Mike in his prime.

Many boxing experts have even gone on to consider Tyson one of the hardest punchers in the history of the sport, but this isn’t a title which the 58-year-old necessarily agrees with.

When asked who he believed to be the hardest hitter ever to grace the heavyweight division, Tyson didn’t name himself but instead suggested George Foreman — yes, that George Foreman.

“[It’s George Foreman],” he reportedly told Fight Camp (via TalkSport). “I can’t match somebody’s power who’s that big and that much man.

“Only thing that allowed me to be exciting was that I did it faster than the other guys.”

Nicknamed ‘Big George’, Foreman enjoyed a boxing career which spanned three decades and only lost five of his 81 fights, with 68 of his wins coming from a knock out.

His most famous loss would come against Muhammad Ali in 1974’s ‘Rumble in the Jungle’, which ultimately saw Foreman handing over the heavyweight title and taking a year out.

Foreman has also proved that he has talents which exist outside of the boxing ring by launching his universally famous George Foreman grill in 1994, a cooking appliance which definitely featured in most of our homes growing up.

Tyson also admitted in the interview that he didn’t believe his power came naturally either, adding: “Nothing about me was natural… Only my desire to win was natural, I had a great teacher.

“Only you can do that. You’re born with it but somebody has to elicit that.”