Many Māori took issue with Whitmill suing for copyright infringement when the work was, in their view, appropriative of moko. Ngahuia Te Awekotuku, an expert on Māori tattoos, told The New Zealand Herald that " t is astounding that a Pākehā tattooist who inscribes an African American's flesh with what he considers to be a Māori design has the gall to claim ... that design as his intellectual property" and accused Whitmill of having "never consulted with Māori" and having "stole the design". Bloom suggests that Te Awekotuku's argument could have formed the basis for a defense that the tattoo fell below the threshold of originality.

Tyson, known not only for his incredible boxing career but also for his iconic face tattoo, has evidently influenced Paul in more ways than one. Paul’s decision to get a face tattoo as a tribute to Tyson reflects his admiration for the boxing great and his desire to make a bold statement in the world of boxing.

If you see someone with an interesting tattoo, you will likely ask him why he chose it, when he decided to get the tattoo that would stay on his body forever, or what it means to him. The same is true for Mike Tyson, who holds special meaning behind each of his six tattoos.

On Mike Tyson’s rib cage, he has a tattoo of Che Guevara. He claims that he chose this tattoo because, "Che Guevara is an incredible individual. He had so much, but sacrificed it all for the benefit of other people."

Joshua Ben Joseph is a Boxing writer renowned for his unparalleled coverage of live events and insightful interviews with prominent athletes in the world of combat sports. With a career spanning over several years, he has authored more than 800 articles. As an experienced editorial cartoonist and investigative journalist, Joshua has a keen eye for detail and a passion for delivering quality content. Aside from his writing, Joshua is an avid powerlifter and solo traveler, embodying the same spirit of determination and exploration that he brings to his work. With a deep love for the sport of boxing that dates back to childhood, he is committed to delivering the highest quality content and helping to build a more transparent and credible industry.

But an iconic tattoo having a whole different shape takes the cake. Just imagine a prime boxer with raw power, arrested multiple times, but sporting cute hearts on his face! A prime sentiment on X (@JiujitsuOtter) reacted "I’d buy him a beer for having the heart not to do it and made the most iconic tattoo in sports history instead."

Although Tyson has not expressed a strong desire to get more tattoos, he has not ruled out the possibility. As a form of self-expression, tattoos have a special meaning for Tyson and he may decide to add to his collection in the future.

Whitmill sued Warner Bros. in April, saying that he did not give permission for the company to mimic the motif for actor Ed Helms' character "Stu" in the movie. He claimed the filmmakers copied the design that he tattooed on Tyson in 2003 in Las Vegas.

He has yet another portrait of Che Guevara on his left abdomen. It is a copy of the famous Guerrillero Heroico photograph. Tyson got it in prison as well, as he was deeply mistrusting of his state and current government back then. Additionally, Kid Dynamite has a portrait of Monica Turner on the left forearm and a Dragon tattoo on his right forearm.

In addition to its cultural significance, the tattoo has also become a work of art. Many people have admired the intricate design, and it has been the subject of many artistic interpretations. The tattoo has even been featured in a museum exhibit, where it was showcased as an example of modern art. Tyson’s face tattoo is a testament to the power of art and its ability to connect people with their identity and culture.

Paul has often expressed his respect for Tyson, citing him as one of his boxing idols. By getting a face tattoo similar to Tyson’s, Paul aims to honor the former heavyweight champion and further solidify his own identity as a serious contender in the boxing arena.

And as I see people’s comments, here and on my duplicate Facebook post, one of the things that occurs to me is that I see bodyart (tattoo or the painted version) as a collaboration between the doer and the wearer, along the lines of Aaron’s comment that the design on paper becomes another design when it is on someone.

mike tyson tattoo face Tyson’s tattoos are more than just ink; they symbolise his life’s journey through success and adversity. Each design tells a story of resilience and personal growth, reflecting the spirit of one of boxing’s greatest legends. As Tyson gears up for his upcoming bout against Jake Paul, his iconic tattoos remind us of his enduring legacy both inside and outside the ring.

The tattoo can be seen as a statement of nonconformity and defiance, embodying Tyson’s unconventional and often controversial personality. By choosing to mark his face permanently with a design that some people might consider unattractive or intimidating, Tyson was asserting his individuality and rejecting the idea that he had to conform to society’s standards of beauty or respectability. In many ways, the tattoo became a symbol of Tyson’s defiance against authority and convention, which were values that he had embodied throughout his career, both inside and outside the ring.