By the time a young Mike turned 13, he was arrested 38 times for criminal activities like robbery and fights. It indicates unequivocally that the child had no parental guidance while growing up in the rough neighborhood of Brownsville, Brooklyn. Given that death was a constant threat in the impoverished neighborhood, Tyson developed self-defense skills and learned how to fight at a very young age. But it begs the question – where were his parents?

While many athletes attribute their achievements to their parents, former world heavyweight champion, Mike Tyson does not. Because he never really got a chance to be raised by them. As a matter of fact, he doesn’t even know anything about the man who is his father.  

What happened to Mike Tyson’s biological father?

Mike was born to Lorna May Smith and Purcell Tyson on June 30, 1966. However, Mike never got a chance to know or even see his biological father. In his biography, Undisputed Truth, the former boxer mentioned, “I don’t know much about my father’s family. In fact, I didn’t really know my father much at all.” In addition, he came to know his biological father’s name because of his birth certificate.

Apparently, Purcell and Lorna met in New York and got married. But their marriage didn’t last long, and the two parted ways. As per records, Purcell was of Jamaican descent and worked as a cab driver. There’s not much information available about Purcell Tyson. But Mike came to know about Purcell a bit later in life. Before that, he was told that Jimmy Kirkpatrick was his father. Check out who Kirkpatrick was, and what role he played in Tyson’s life.    

All about Jimmy Kirkpatrick, who Tyson considered his father

Mike had two siblings, one brother and a sister. The three children considered Jimmy Kirkpatrick as their father. But Kirkpatrick left the family when Tyson was just 2 years old. He was not even married to Lorna and seldom gave any time to the children. The former world heavyweight champion described in his biography that Jimmy ‘Curlee’ Kirkpatrick Jr. was barely in the picture. There were also rumors that Curlee was a pimp and that he used to extort ladies. Later on, Kirkpatrick started calling himself a deacon in the church.

‘Iron Mike’ also stated in his biography, “Curlee would drive over to where we stayed, periodically. He and my mother never spoke to each other, he’d just beep the horn and we’d just go down and meet him. The kids would pile into his Cadillac and we thought we were going on an excursion to Coney Island or Brighton Beach, but he’d just drive around for a few minutes, pull back up to our apartment building, give us some money, give my sister a kiss, and shake me and my brother’s hands and that was it. Maybe I’d see him in another year.”

Tyson also described that he desperately wanted to be known that he is a pimp’s son. Why? Because in a rough neighborhood like the one where Tyson lived, it had weight to be a pimp’s son. But Kirkpatrick did not have much involvement in Tyson’s life. In 1992, when Tyson was serving time in prison, he came to know that Kirkpatrick had died. It is said that the boxing champ was concerned after hearing the news, but he didn’t ask for leave from prison to attend the funeral. 

Mike Tyson’s mother and the man who shaped his life

Without money and living in an unfavorable neighborhood, Mike’s mother was unequipped to lead an ordinary life. Tyson was involved in house robberies while he was only ten or eleven years old. He used to wear brand-new clothes when he returned home, and even his mother knew where these clothes were coming from.  There was nothing she could do about it. His relationship with his mother was not one of a proper mother and son. Tyson’s mother passed away from cancer when he was only sixteen. However, Cus D’Amato, the legendary boxing coach, had already taken him in much before that.

Mike considered D’Amato as his mentor and he was also a legal guardian to the young kid after the passing of his mother. Tyson considered D’Amato’s partner, Camille Ewald as his adopted mother. D’Amato, the first father figure in Mike Tyson’s life, was the person who ingrained the essential qualities of discipline and hard work in Tyson. Under his guidance and watchful eyes, Tyson began his professional boxing journey. The legendary boxer has openly expressed his respect and affection for D’Amato in numerous interviews.

In November 1985, Cus D’Amato left the world due to pneumonia at the age of 77. Now there was no one left for Mike Tyson to look after him. He was all alone and without guidance again. However, he did not let it hamper his boxing journey. Just a year after D’Amato’s death, Tyson became the youngest heavyweight champion in the history of the sport. 

After a life filled with tragedy and loss, Tyson now has a beautiful family with seven children. The children are borne by four different women, but the 58-year-old lives with his third wife, Lakiha Spicer. He holds Spicer in great regard and considers her his rock. He provides his children with everything that he never got. What do you make of Mike Tyson’s tumultuous life? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.