When it comes to eccentric pet choices, Mike Tyson took things to a whole new level. Back in the 1990s, while most people were content with cats and dogs, ‘Iron Mike’ decided to add some serious stripes to his lifestyle. Fresh out of prison in 1992, he spent a cool £55,000 on three Bengal tigers because, apparently, a German Shepherd just wouldn’t cut it for the heavyweight champ.
The story of Kenya, his favorite tiger, reads like a plot from an unusual buddy movie. For 16 years, this 550-pound “massive monster” was more than just a pet. She slept in his room, shared his space, and probably made house guests think twice about overstaying their welcome. Kenya was the last remaining tiger after Tyson donated the other two to an animal sanctuary, realizing that managing three tigers was perhaps a bit much, even for him.
But every wild tale has its turning point, and this one involves an unfortunate incident with a trespassing visitor. Despite what the rumor mill churned out, Kenya didn’t break free and go on a rampage. Instead, a woman decided that jumping into a tiger’s enclosure was a brilliant idea. This idea cost her an arm – literally.
The aftermath was exactly what people would expect. Though the woman tried to sue Tyson, the case didn’t stick as she was the one trespassing. He handed over $250,000 in compensation. Eventually, ‘Iron Mike‘ had to part ways with Kenya when she started showing signs of age. Her eyes and head were giving her trouble, and keeping an aging tiger is no small feat. It’s a bittersweet ending to what must have been one of the most unusual pet-owner relationships in celebrity history.
How Many Pet Animals Did Mike Tyson Have?
When most people think of exotic pets, they might consider a snake or a parrot. But Tyson took the concept of unusual pets to a whole new stratosphere. The boxing legend’s relationship with animals has been as colorful and fascinating as his career in the ring,
Mike Tyson was famous for his Tigers. But they were just the tip of his animal kingdom. The man is absolutely wild about pigeons. At one point, Tyson owned over 1,000 pigeons, spending an eye-watering $400,000 monthly on their care. For Tyson, these birds represented his culture and neighborhood roots. He even claimed to have bought a single pigeon worth $2 million!
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The boxing champ also had a soft spot for dogs, particularly Bullmastiffs and Cane Corsos. Mike Tyson’s connection with his dogs was so strong that he’d often demonstrate their training skills to friends. His love for animals is well-documented. These days, he is preparing to re-enter the ring against a young Jake Paul. Fans will be hoping to see the vintage Tyson back in action this weekend.
