Mike Tyson’s Wild Investment: The Tale of His $50,000 Pet Tigers

In the 1990s and 2000s, Mike Tyson, the formidable and undisputed heavyweight champion of the world, became the proud owner of three exotic tigers. Each of these majestic animals cost Tyson $50,000, a price he could easily afford at the peak of his boxing career.

With killer earnings from his time in the ring, Tyson had everything money could buy. His fights against legends like Evander Holyfield and Michael Spinks, along with his historic victory as the youngest heavyweight champion by defeating Trevor Berbick, brought him combined purses running into the hundreds of millions.

One day, through a chance encounter, Tyson managed to acquire a selection of exotic animals, including his famous tigers. Typically out of reach for most, regardless of their wealth, Tyson’s bank account and connections made this extravagant purchase possible.

Initially, Tyson kept the tiger cubs at his home. As they grew, he donated two to a sanctuary but continued to care for one into adulthood, keeping the tiger for an impressive 16 years.

Tyson elaborated on how he came to own the tigers during an episode of his Hotboxin’ Podcast. He recounted, “Black market. This guy was selling them and said, ‘I can get you a full-grown one for $70,000 or I can get a small one for like $50,000.’ So I got the baby. We fed the baby with a bottle, and eventually, she was 400 lbs. And then you figure out—how do I get rid of this motherf***er?!”

The story of Tyson’s tigers is just one chapter in the life of a man who lived extravagantly and unpredictably. Despite the challenges and controversies, Tyson remains a legendary figure in boxing and pop culture, remembered not only for his knockout punches but also for his unusual pets and wild lifestyle.