“You Don’t Think I Want Somebody to Throw Live Acid on My Kids Face”: Despite Being “Scared” of Public School, ‘Iron’ Mike Tyson Wants His Kid to Experience Diversity

He was once called ‘The Baddest Man on The Planet.’ But the post-retirement life of Mike Tyson gave out a different dimension of the man. He settled down with his long-time girlfriend, Lakiha ‘Kiki’ Spicer, and started a family. Tyson traveled from the dangerous hoods to the heights of boxing and fame. So he wants his kids, who grew up in relative comfort, to understand their roots and the variety such a life offers.

After the initial success, his personal and professional life went through highs and lows, which included serving time in prison. Retiring in 2005, Mike Tyson is now one of the most well-respected voices in the boxing world. Besides having his top-rated podcast, Hotboxin’ with Mike Tyson, he is a regular at other well-known discussion forums. For example, entrepreneur and author Patrick Bet-David‘s PBD Podcast had Tyson as one of the guests. Michael Franzese and Adam Sosnick also joined the show.

Mike Tyson wants his kids to see and appreciate the ‘real’ life

Near the one-hour mark, Bet-David asked Tyson, “Mike, your kids that go to private or public?” The former champion replied that while one of his kids attends public Heritage school, another is home-schooled through online classes. So the host asked for his thoughts on the public school versus private school debate. Tyson said, “Public School, you get the diversity, you get everything coming at you….it’s all just coming at you, and you have an opportunity to choose what you’re going to do. In a private school, boom, everybody’s in the same line every day [in] the same way no one nobody [nobody] gets off the fence…“

Patrick Bet-David then shared his experience as a student at a public school. According to him, his school is no longer what it used to be in his time. Agreeing with Tyson, he commented that staying at a public school opened the doors to meeting people from a diverse milieu. However, despite his kids studying at private schools, Bet-David would appreciate learning from the generation that passed by. For example, he took ‘Iron’ Mike’s life. He said, “…by the way, how many people, like if you look at Mike Tyson’s life okay, how many people’s combined life experience equals Mike Tyson’s?“

The youngest Heavyweight champion in history responded saying, “Hey, no, but listen, oh man, I’m just like you; you don’t think I’m scared of those public schools for my kids because I experience that stuff. You don’t think I think I want somebody to throw live acid on my kid’s face, no, but, um, if they didn’t have that opportunity, I would want them to be in public school…” He continued that he wanted his kids to experience the life he lived. He wanted them to see where he used to live, the place he frequented. 

When Bet-David checked on his kids’ reaction after visiting all those places, Tyson replied that they were “scared to death.”

Read More: Despite Showing a Talent for Boxing, Mike Tyson Revealed His Wish for His Son to Joe Rogan:” You Were Talking About Your Son Hitting Pads”

What’s your take on Mike Tyson’s views? Do you agree with him? Do share your opinions and thoughts with us in the comments below.

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