The youngest heavyweight champion in history. The “baddest man on the planet.” A legacy that transcends the ring. Mike Tyson’s name is attached to numerous labels and accolades, and in Netflix’s upcoming three-part sports series, audiences will take a look back at all of them for insights into one of the most compelling and polarizing figures of our time.
In 1986, at the age of 20, Tyson became the youngest heavyweight champion in history, and he reigned as the undisputed world heavyweight champion from 1987 to 1990. In 2024 at age 58, he stepped back into the ring to face Jake Paul in the most-streamed live sporting event of all time.
But speckled throughout his illustrious boxing career are his personal struggles — including incarceration, financial strain, substance abuse, and in-ring controversies. Instead of a hagiography of the athlete that focuses on his successes in the ring, the docuseries is an unflinching look at the full range of Tyson’s experiences.
“Most people are too scared to look at their lives objectively, wanting to paint themselves as the hero of their own story,” Tyson told Netflix. “But if we are truly objective, we know we can never be the hero in our own story. We have to be able to face the man in the mirror, taking the good with the bad to give a full account of our contributions in this life.”
Directed by Floyd Russ (Untold, American Manhunt: The Boston Marathon Bombing), the series will consist of three hour-long episodes, featuring interviews with Tyson and his confidants and colleagues.
“Having an opportunity to share my story through the reflective lens of my growth and maturity … will be a challenging journey, yet a very [welcome] one,” says Tyson.
Stay tuned for more details on the upcoming Tyson series. In the meantime, dive into Netflix’s sports titles, including Aaron Rodgers: Enigma, Simone Biles Rising, Quarterback, Starting 5, and more, as well as live programming like the upcoming NFL Christmas Gameday and the January 2025 release of WWE Raw.
