Former world heavyweight champion, Mike Tyson, defined his career through iconic performances inside the ring and an equally eccentric personality outside. Moreover, this made the ‘The Baddest Man on The Planet’ one of the highest-paid boxers of all time. However, things were not always a bed of roses for the champ, both mentally and financially. Tyson had a rough childhood, which often saw him involved in multiple transgressions for survival. In his autobiography, Tyson explained in detail how his mother did not mince words while rebuking him for stealing.

Tyson released his autobiography, Undisputed Truth in the year 2014. The book co-written by Larry Sloman, saw Tyson open up about the thunderous highs and the heartbreaking lows of his life. It also detailed his life from his childhood to becoming one of the most feared boxers of all time. The book also included an excerpt of his mother’s reaction to him becoming a thief.

Lorna Smith Tyson often doubted Mike Tyson

Tyson’s family initially lived in Bedford-Stuyvesant. However, they had to move to Brownsville when he was 10, owing to financial troubles. Brownsville was a rough neighborhood, which in turn, paved the way for Tyson falling into bad company. In fact, Tyson and his friends often resorted to stealing from the people in the neighborhood. The group often got into trouble for the same.

Talking about the incidents, he revealed that the women who were burgled would go crying to his mother, Lorna Smith Tyson.

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While she wouldn’t rat out her son, Lorna Tyson regularly accused him of the same. And also checked his room for people’s belongings.

Harsh words and sharp rebukes

Lorna Smith Tyson was undoubtedly disappointed with her son’s actions. ‘Iron’ Mike revealed that she did not hold back and shouted at him, saying, “You’re nothing but a thief. I’ve never stolen nothing in my life. I don’t know where you come from, you thief.”

Tyson, on the other hand, was devastated to hear those words from his own mother. And also mentioned that his family had no hope for him. He further delved into the situation, and said, “They thought my life would be a life of crime. Nobody else in my family ever did stuff like that.” Mike Tyson further states, “my sister would constantly be telling me, ‘what kind of a bird don’t fly? Jailbird! Jilbird’.”

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Was Lorna Smith’s reaction justified? Let us know in the comments below.