Former undisputed heavyweight champion Mike Tyson is one of the most recognized athletes in the world. Despite being 58 years old, the world continues to celebrate his legacy in the sport, as he prepares to make his much-anticipated return to the ring against Jake Paul. However, his journey to worldwide stardom was a challenging one.

Despite becoming one of the biggest names and making millions, back in 1998, Tyson sued his promoter, Don King, alleging King cheated him out of millions that he was owed. However, this is just the tip of the iceberg. The relationship between Tyson and King was fraught with numerous disputes and clashes that have since faded from public memory. So, here’s a refresher. 

The strong partnership between Mike Tyson and Don King

The partnership between ‘Iron’ Mike Tyson and King was one of the most powerful yet controversial in the long history of boxing. The duo was a perfect match for each other, as they dominated the 1980s and 1990s, with Tyson’s ferocious fighting style and King’s promotional prowess, which created an unstoppable force.

Born and raised in Brooklyn, Tyson quickly rose to prominence with his devastating knockouts, becoming the youngest heavyweight champion at just 20 years old. Meanwhile, King was already an established name in the world of boxing, known for being the promoter behind Muhammad Ali. King quickly recognized Tyson’s talent and used his influence to put Tyson in some of the biggest fights of his career.

Fighting under King—Tyson would go on to unify the WBC, WBA, and IBF titles, becoming the undisputed heavyweight champion. King’s connections and promotional genius turned Tyson into a global phenomenon, making his fights must-see events that generated record-breaking pay-per-view numbers. 

However, beneath the surface, their relationship was fraught with tension. As Tyson’s success grew, so did allegations that King was financially exploiting him, taking advantage of his inexperience and lack of financial literacy. By the early 1990s, the partnership began to unravel, with Tyson filing a lawsuit against King for financial misconduct.

Why did Mike Tyson fall out with Don King?

The word on the street is that Tyson’s fallout with King stemmed from years of alleged financial exploitation and manipulation by the promoter. What started as a formidable partnership started deteriorating when Tyson grew increasingly aware of how King was managing his finances over the years. 

You see, Tyson grew up in severe poverty and knew almost nothing about finances, so after his global fame, he trusted his promoter to manage his career as well as his finances. However, as Tyson’s wealth grew, so did concerns that King was taking an unfair share of his earnings. This would eventually lead to Tyson accusing King of manipulating contracts to siphon millions from his fight purse. 

Meanwhile, Tyson himself, lacking any financial literacy, continued to struggle to understand the extent of his damage. By the time the 1990s rolled around, tensions had reached a breaking point, with Tyson filing a lawsuit against King. In the lawsuit, Tyson claimed that he had been defrauded by King through various unethical practices, including inflated fees and shady business deals. 

Unfortunately for Tyson, the legal battle unfolded during a turbulent time in his life, as he also faced personal issues and a conviction for rape. Despite returning to the ring after spending years behind bars, Tyson could not bring himself to trust King again. In the early 2000s, Tyson officially parted ways with King, publicly stating that he had been taken advantage of for much of his career.

Lawsuits and Allegations – How much did Mike Tyson sue Don King for?

Mike Tyson later sued his former promoter, Don King, for $100 million, accusing him of stealing a significant portion of his earnings over his career. The lawsuit was rooted in Tyson’s allegations of financial misconduct, where King allegedly mismanaged and under-reported fight revenues, contributing to Tyson’s financial downfall.

However, the case never made it to trial. Tyson and King reached a settlement in 2004, with King agreeing to pay $14 million to resolve the matter. Despite the substantial settlement, Tyson did not personally receive the money. Instead, it went toward paying off his mounting debts, as Tyson owed $38.4 million to various creditors, including the IRS and his ex-wife Monica.

Tyson’s lawyers formulated a bankruptcy plan in federal court to help him pay off the rest of his debts, which involved Tyson fighting seven times over the next three years. The settlement with King was seen as a key part of this plan, allowing Tyson to continue boxing to rebuild his finances, even though it marked the end of his legal pursuit of the full $100 million.

Are Mike Tyson and Don King friends today?

Since their public falling out, Tyson has criticized King, stating he “did more bad to Black fighters than any white promoter in boxing history.” Despite their rocky past, Tyson’s comments on the ‘It Is What It Is’ podcast suggest a more nuanced relationship today. Notably, King was also sued by boxing legends like Larry Holmes, Tim Witherspoon, Terry Norris, and even Muhammad Ali.

Regardless, Tyson revealed that King, now close to 100 years old, is “not doing well” health-wise, showing concern for his former promoter. While the two don’t appear to be close friends, Tyson’s remarks imply some lingering respect or compassion. Their relationship remains complicated, blending a history of betrayal with moments of mutual recognition.

Mike Tyson beat up Don King, reveals the boxing legend

In a candid revelation, boxing legend Mike Tyson recounted a chaotic encounter with promoter Don King that showcased the tumultuous nature of their relationship. On his Hotboxin’ Podcast in 2020, Tyson shared a wild story from the past, detailing how a drive with King turned into a physical confrontation. 

After kicking King in the back of the head during an argument, Tyson recalled, “As soon as we stop, I’m beating him in the car.” His frustration with King, who he accused of defrauding him out of millions, boiled over into violence. “As soon as I let him go he got out of the car. I tried to run across and he did a little back turn and got back in the front, drove off, and left me on the highway,” Tyson added. 

Tyson also recounted an incident involving King’s bodyguard, whom he knocked out in a fit of rage. “Then one of his security guys in a Rolls Royce comes. He thinks we’re stuck on the road. He pulls over and I’m mad because he’s Don’s security guard so I give him a shot. Pow. He’s out cold right in the middle of the street,” Tyson said. 

That said, the relationship between Mike Tyson and Don King has certainly been tumultuous. While they may not be on friendly terms today due to allegations of fraud against King, it’s undeniable that King played a crucial role in Tyson’s rise to success. What are your thoughts on their complicated dynamic?