In the new book “Talking To GOATs” sportscaster Jim Gray details this moments leading up to Mike Tyson’s infamous rematch against Evander Holyfield in June 1997.
The day before Mike Tyson’s infamous rematch, the heavyweight boxer went to collect his paycheck from Don King, at the MGM Grand.
The sum?
A grinning King pulled out a pen and wrote a check, which he held up for Tyson to see.
$30 million
and all before the boxer had even fought.
I’ll see you tomorrow night, Now, just don’t get into any trouble tonight, my brother. Just keep it calm.
Don King
“
The moment Tyson left King’s office, the boxer jumped into his new $350,000 Lamborghini, reversed it straight into a parking barrier, and dented the fender.
Convinced the car was cursed and screaming that he didn’t need any bad luck before his big fight, Tyson leapt out of the car and threw the keys at a nearby security guard, telling him to keep it.
Take this f–king car, Get this f–king car away from me!
Mike Tyson
“
Ay brother, my man is giving you this car, Take it, have a good time.
Don King
“
And with that, the security guard sped off in his new sports car.
More than an hour later, sportscaster Jim Gray was dining with King at The Palm restaurant when a messenger arrived and said there was an emergency.
Leaving the restaurant, King found Tyson exiting Caesar’s Palace where, according to reports, the boxer had just spent
$800,000 at the Versace store.
I remember he bought purple shoes and yellow and orange scarves, The second he took that stuff out of the store, it had no value. He didn’t care. He ordered King to take care of it.
Jim Gray
“
What did Tyson do with the rest of his 30 Million Dollars?