28 Years After Release, Mike Tyson Finally Reveals What James Brown Said to Him About Michael Jackson In Prison

Boxing legend Mike Tyson has been known for his close relationships with celebrities from various industries. He was a regular fixture at high-profile events and parties, where he would often mingle with some of the biggest names in entertainment, sports, and politics. This meant that ‘Iron Mike’ had a lot of knowledge about what was going on in the entertainment industry.

Moreover, during his time in prison, Tyson formed a close friendship with the legendary soul singer James Brown. Brown, who had himself served time in prison in the past, took a mentor-like role with Tyson and provided him with guidance during his incarceration. In addition, the former champion made a groundbreaking revelation about the singer 28 years after his release from prison.

Mike Tyson reveals what James Brown thought of Michael Jackson

In a recent episode of his podcast Hotboxin, Tyson opened up about a conversation he had with Brown regarding two of the biggest pop icons of the time, Michael Jackson and Prince. He claimed Brown didn’t think that the two were as important as they were made out to be in the media. Moreover, he added that Brown thought of himself as a mentor to the two musicians.

Read More: A Year After Infamous Slap, Mike Tyson Brands Will Smith-Chris Rock Fiasco as Nothing But “Entertainment”

“I knew James Brown kind of well. Even though he came out of prison, he didn’t think Michael Jackson and Prince was big with it. It ain’t nothing for me. This is my Mente. I’m their mentor, you know? They live for me,” said Tyson.

Despite Brown’s remarks about two of the biggest names in music, his mentorship and friendship with Tyson remained strong throughout the years. The two remained in touch long after their release from prison, with Iron Mike often speaking fondly of Brown and the impact he had on his life. However, Brown was not the only celebrity that met Tyson during his stint in prison.

Tyson reveals the famous people who came to meet him in prison

In an interview with NORE and DJ EFN, Tyson detailed his time in prison and the people who came to visit him. He revealed that people like BB King, Brown, Whitney Houston, and Florence Henderson all came to show their love and support for the former heavyweight champion.

“When I was locked up, I had such an onslaught of visitors. I had everybody- BB King, James Brown, Whitney Houston, everybody came. Florence Henderson, I can’t even name no more, just so many people came to visit me when I was away,” he said.

In addition to his friendship with Brown, Tyson has also been close to other legendary musicians such as Tupac Shakur and Madonna. Moreover, his relationship with Tupac, in particular, was well-documented, with the two sharing a deep bond that lasted until the rapper’s tragic death in 1996.

Watch This Story| Ip Man 3, The Hangover, and More: Mike Tyson’s Greatest Movie Appearances

While Tyson’s time in prison was undoubtedly a challenging period in his life, the memories of the many visitors who came to see him are a testament to the friendships he had formed.