Mike Tyson has denied attempting suicide during his doomed first marriage to Robin Givens, while also revealing he was likely medicated during a notorious television interview. The revelations come in a new four-part Netflix documentary series, TYSON, which airs on October 13.
Tyson, 60, became the youngest world heavyweight champion in boxing history in 1986, a record that still stands. He met TV star Givens in March 1987 and "fell in love quickly," despite having little experience with romance. People close to Tyson in the documentary suggest his difficult relationship with his late mother, Lorna, a former prostitute, may have influenced his struggles with women.
Abuse allegations and a calculated story
Tyson married Givens in February 1988, but allegations of abuse emerged within months. Journalist Wallace Matthews recalled being summoned to the office of Givens' mother, Ruth Roper, around June 1988. "She lays out this tale of woe that Mike is beating up Robin every single day," he said. "And I'm like, 'Wow, okay.' And then suddenly I feel these fingertips drumming on my shoulder. It's Robin Givens. She confirms everything."
Matthews' editor refused to publish the story without Tyson's side. Tyson, preparing to fight Michael Spinks, called Matthews late at night. "I told him everything they said. I read the quotes. And he got real quiet. Real quiet," Matthews said. "I said, 'Is it true or not true?' And he did not...he never said it wasn't true."
In the documentary, Tyson is asked directly if the abuse allegations were true. He replied: "We fought each other. We fought, yes. I know people say, 'She can't fight you. You're Mike Tyson.' But we fought."
Car crash and a 'drugged' TV appearance
Months later, Tyson crashed his silver BMW into a tree in Catskill, New York, leading to headlines suggesting a suicide attempt. Tyson denied this: "I just ran into a tree. I didn't try to kill myself. I ran into a tree and it knocked me out. After that, Robin and her mother, they sent me to Robin's psychiatrist and they said I was a f****d up manic depressive. They prescribed me medicine."
Shortly after, Tyson appeared with Givens on ABC's 20/20 with Barbara Walters in September 1988. He said he was taken off guard, expecting a "family interview," not a "Mike Tyson's a horrible husband" interview. Friends allege the interview was orchestrated while he was on antidepressants. When asked if he was medicated, Tyson said: "Yes, probably. Anti-depressants, I believe." Childhood friend William 'Ouie' Fagan added: "They had to have him drugged up. I believe he was."
During the interview, Givens described their marriage as "torture, pure hell, worse than anything I could possibly imagine," while Tyson remained quiet. He later recalled: "I was upset and I was going to show her how upset I was once everybody left."
Divorce and reflection
Givens sought a divorce in October 1988, and Tyson filed for an annulment. The pair separated in February 1989. Givens reportedly filed a $125 million libel lawsuit against Tyson, which was purportedly dropped when the divorce was finalised. Reports indicated she received a $10 million settlement, though Givens has contended she didn't receive "one dime."
Reflecting on Givens today, Tyson said: "How do I feel about Robin today? I don't have no hard feelings about her. I'm not angry at her. I don't wanna fight with her. You know, I didn't make a bad decision there. I fell in love with somebody. I don't look at that as a bad decision. S*** happens, you know? It was kind of bulls***, though, huh?"
