Mike Tyson, often known as ‘Iron Mike’ for his ferocity in the boxing ring, has endured significant personal tragedies that surpass any professional setbacks, including his well-publicized losses to Buster Douglas and Lennox Lewis. The most heart-wrenching of these was the loss of his four-year-old daughter, Exodus, in 2009.
Exodus tragically died in an accident at home in Phoenix, Arizona, when she accidentally strangled herself with a cord from a treadmill exercise machine. Tyson was not at home at the time of the incident. This personal tragedy deeply affected Tyson, influencing his life’s perspective and priorities significantly.
In an emotional segment on the podcast “Hot Boxin’,” Tyson opened up about the profound impact of his daughter’s death on his life. He described the event as his lowest point, a nadir that fundamentally changed him. “My nadir,” Tyson said, “was when I lost my daughter, my four-year-old daughter.”
Visibly moved and struggling with his emotions, Tyson admitted, “Yeah, I can’t go… I was f**ked up, I was f**ked up. It made me a better person though.” Despite the passage of time, Tyson confessed that he has never fully moved on from the loss. “You never recover,” he added, “But you live with it. Isn’t that weird?”
As Tyson prepares for a return to professional boxing in a high-profile bout against Jake Paul, his reflections reveal a side of the athlete seldom seen by the public: a vulnerable, grieving father continuing to grapple with an unimaginable loss. This upcoming fight marks a significant return since he last left the sport in 2005, showcasing not only his physical resilience but also his emotional endurance through life’s most challenging moments.