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It’s not a dragon on his right forearm, it’s a tiger. I worked with the artist who did the tattoo at Diversity tattoo in Las Vegas (right next to the Stratosphere) on the strip near Sahara Street. We were all using stripper names so I never got the artist’s real name. He was a funny guy. He complained once about not having a girlfriend and always having to "pay for it". Cracked me up!

Tyson told Sports Illustrated he doesn't regret the tribal tattoo: "No. A lot of stuff happened out of this tattoo, a lot of good stuff. Other young athletes come to me and said, 'It's because of you they call it the Mike Tyson'. People have to register their tattoos. You have to have the likeness of your tattoo."

In addition to making a tremendous impact on the world of boxing, Tyson also made an impression on tattooing. In 2003, Tyson got his now-infamous tribal face tattoo, which he got to represent his status as a warrior. In 2011, "The Hangover Part II" directly copied Tyson’s tattoo, which led his artist S. Victor Whitmill to file a copyright lawsuit against Warner Bros. Two months later, Warner Bros. settled the lawsuit, although the terms of the settlement were not disclosed to the public. This inspired other artists to file copyright lawsuits against media companies that replicated their tattoos, as seen most recently between tattooers and NBA video games.

Tyson’s respect for Zedong came while in prison where he read several books about the leader. It was while inside that Tyson decided to get a portrait tattoo of Zedong, with his name "Mao" tattooed underneath. In 2006 Tyson visited the Chairman Mao Memorial Hall, with the Chicago Tribune reporting Tyson said, "Standing in front of Chairman Mao’s remains, I felt really insignificant. To have the chance to visit the memorial hall is a great honor for me."

As boxing fans eagerly anticipate the exhibition match between former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson and professional boxer Jake Paul, scheduled for July 20, 2024, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas and streamed globally on Netflix, there’s more to Mike Tyson than his legendary status in the ring.

Mike Tyson is an American former professional boxer who holds the record for the youngest boxer to win the WBC (World Boxing Council), WBA (World Boxing Association), and IBF (International Boxing Federation) heavyweight titles. He is also known for the ‘face tattoo’ trend. Let’s read further to know more details regarding his tattoos along with their meanings.

Yes, tattoos are allowed in boxing. Many boxers have tattoos, and there are no regulations within professional boxing that prohibit tattoos. Tattoos are considered a personal choice and a form of expression, and they do not interfere with the rules of the sport.

On mike tyson tattoo lawsuit 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."

Know of boxing’s consensus favorite heavyweight and youngest champ Mike Tyson? Sure you do. Do you know that he is facing a 9-1 (6KOs) YouTuber boxer next? You just might. Did you know he has 44 career knockouts till now? Or that he once bit a peer’s ear off during a bout? That is a famed affair. What about his iconic face tattoo? Of all the above, that stands out as his selling point.

Mike Tyson’s interactions with fans regarding his tattoo are always of keen interest and admiration. Fans often ask questions about the explanation and history behind this unique design, and Tyson is eager to incorporate his experience when explaining the symbolism and distinctive originality of the tattoo. Many fans find his tattoo to be an inspiration, and some even decide to get similar tattoos to express their devotion and admiration for the legendary boxer. Tyson enjoys being photographed showing off his tattoo and participating in conversations about tattoo culture. These interactions connect him to his fan base and reinforce his influence as a cultural icon.

LAS VEGAS, NV – MARCH 03: Former boxer Mike Tyson performs during his one-man show "Mike Tyson UNDISPUTED TRUTH – Live on Stage" at Brad Garrett’s Comedy Club at MGM Grand Hotel & Casino on March 3, 2016 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Gabe Ginsberg/Getty Images)

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.

Among Tyson’s more personal tattoos is the portrait of his ex-wife Monica Turner on his left forearm. This tattoo marks a chapter of his personal life that involved significant emotional investment and turmoil. Despite their eventual separation, the tattoo remains a permanent reminder of his past relationships and the personal struggles associated with them.