Mike Tyson has always been larger than life, but when photos of him in a wheelchair hit social media, even his biggest fans were confused. Is he okay? Is he still fighting? The answers are more nuanced than a highlight reel. From sciatica flare-ups to a cannabis empire, here’s what’s really going on with the youngest heavyweight champion in history.

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Full name: Michael Gerard Tyson ·
Born: June 30, 1966 ·
Height: 5 ft 10 in (178 cm) ·
Professional record: 50–6 (44 KOs) ·
Estimated net worth: $10 million ·
Youngest heavyweight champion: Age 20

Quick snapshot

1Who is Mike Tyson?
2Health Update
3Career Highlights
4Net Worth
Fact Value
Full name Michael Gerard Tyson
Born June 30, 1966, Brooklyn, New York
Height 5 ft 10 in (178 cm)
Reach 71 in (180 cm)
Professional record 50–6 (44 KOs)
Net worth $10 million (estimated)
Notable title Youngest heavyweight champion at 20

Why is Mike Tyson in a wheelchair now?

The simplest answer: sciatica. In a 2022 podcast, Tyson explained that he uses a wheelchair during flare-ups of the nerve condition, which can be so painful that he sometimes can’t even speak. New York Post (U.S. media outlet) reported that he was photographed at Miami International Airport in a wheelchair shortly before that explanation. The condition is episodic — not permanent.

What condition does Mike Tyson have?

Why this matters

Fans who worry they saw a different Mike Tyson — frail or hospitalized — can relax: the wheelchair is a tool, not a symptom of decline. He still posts training clips and attends events.

Is the wheelchair permanent?

No evidence suggests permanent use. BloodyKnockout (a boxing fan site) reported in 2025 that he “sometimes uses a wheelchair because of sciatica flare-ups,” but no medical source has indicated long-term immobilization.

The pattern: Tyson is open about the condition when asked, but he doesn’t let it define his public appearances. In 2024, he walked unassisted into an exhibition fight against Jake Paul.

What ended Mike Tyson’s career?

Tyson’s last professional fight was a loss to Kevin McBride in 2005. He retired after that bout, citing a lack of desire. Yet his career didn’t end in the ring — it quietly faded as his earnings and discipline unraveled.

The final professional fight

  • BoxRec (official boxing record) shows Tyson (50–5 at the time) lost by TKO in the 6th round to Kevin McBride on June 11, 2005.
  • Tyson said post-fight, “I don’t have the guts to be a fighter anymore. I don’t want to disrespect the sport.”

Exhibition return in 2024

  • In November 2024, Tyson fought YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul in a sanctioned exhibition at AT&T Stadium in Texas. The fight went the full 8 rounds; Paul won by unanimous decision.
  • Despite the loss, Tyson’s return proved he was still marketable — gate revenue exceeded $18 million.

The implication: Tyson’s pro career ended in 2005, but his ability to draw an audience remains. The exhibition wasn’t a comeback — it was a business decision.

Is Mike Tyson still alive?

Yes. As of 2025, Mike Tyson is alive and active. The confusion likely stems from the wheelchair photos and his occasional absence from public view, but he continues to post on social media and appears at events.

Current status in 2025

  • He regularly updates his Instagram account (@miketyson), sharing training clips, product promotions, and personal reflections.
  • In April 2025, Forbes (business publication) reported that Tyson became CEO of Carma HoldCo, the parent company behind cannabis brands including his own Tyson 2.0.

Recent public appearances

He attended the 2024 Jake Paul exhibition, appeared at the 2025 Super Bowl weekend, and was photographed in Los Angeles in March 2025. No credible death hoax has surfaced.

The pattern: The question “Is Mike Tyson still alive?” ranks high on Google because of sporadic wheelchair images. The answer remains a clear and factual yes.

Who is the richest boxer in the world?

Floyd Mayweather, with a career earnings total exceeding $1 billion, is widely recognized as the richest boxer in history. But the list behind him is revealing.

Top 10 richest boxers of all time

Seven names, one pattern: Mayweather tops the list, but George Foreman’s grill fortune, Manny Pacquiao’s endorsements, and even Mike Tyson’s post-career earnings all make the ranking.

Boxer Estimated Net Worth Primary Sources
Floyd Mayweather $450+ million Fights, promotions, investments
George Foreman $300 million Boxing + George Foreman Grill
Manny Pacquiao $220 million Fights, endorsements, politics
Oscar De La Hoya $200 million Fights, Golden Boy Promotions
Mike Tyson $10 million Boxing, cannabis, appearances

How Mike Tyson compares

Tyson earned over $400 million during his boxing career — more than Foreman or Pacquiao — but lost large sums through poor management and spending. His net worth today is a fraction of his peak earnings.

The catch: Tyson’s wealth is lower than his peers’ because he lacked the financial infrastructure that boxers like Mayweather built. Cannabis entrepreneurship is helping rebuild, but slowly.

What is Mike Tyson’s net worth?

Estimates vary, but the most cited figure in 2025 is around $10 million, according to Sports Illustrated (sports media). Some sources put it higher — between $20 million and $50 million — but those tend to come from lower-tier aggregators.

Sources of income

  • Tyson 2.0: co-founded in 2021, this cannabis brand sells flower, vapes, edibles, and has expanded to 16 countries.
  • Carma HoldCo CEO role: Forbes (business publication) reported in 2025 that Tyson was named CEO, overseeing brands like 20, Flairrip, and Evol by Future.
  • Exhibition fights: the Jake Paul bout reportedly earned him around $20 million.

Post-boxing ventures

Tyson has also launched a podcast (Hotboxin’), appeared in movies (The Hangover), and licensed his name for video games. But the cannabis business is his main wealth builder now.

Why this matters: Tyson’s net worth is modest compared to his career earnings, but his shift from athlete to CEO shows a strategic pivot many former champions fail to make.

Timeline of Mike Tyson’s Life

  • 1966: Born in Brooklyn, New York (Wikipedia – global encyclopedia)
  • 1985: Professional debut
  • 1986: Wins WBC heavyweight title, becomes youngest champion at 20
  • 1990: Loses title to Buster Douglas
  • 1992–1995: Incarcerated for rape
  • 1997: Bite fight vs. Evander Holyfield
  • 2005: Last professional fight (loss to Kevin McBride)
  • 2020: Launches cannabis brand Tyson 2.0
  • 2024: Exhibition fight with Jake Paul; reveals wheelchair use due to sciatica

What We Know and What’s Unclear

Confirmed facts

  • Mike Tyson is still alive.
  • He uses a wheelchair due to sciatica.
  • His last professional fight was in 2005.
  • He has an estimated net worth of $10 million (Sports Illustrated – sports media).
  • Floyd Mayweather is the richest boxer in the world.

What’s unclear

  • Exact details of the $700 million offer — reportedly from a Saudi investor, but not fully confirmed.
  • Long-term prognosis of his sciatica condition.

Voices on Mike Tyson

“I have sciatica. I can’t walk sometimes. But it’s not the end of the world.”

— Mike Tyson, on a 2024 podcast, as reported by The Indian Express (news publication)

“Tyson became the youngest heavyweight champion in history at age 20.”

— Wikipedia (global encyclopedia)

“Mike Tyson’s net worth is estimated at $10 million in 2024.”

— Forbes (business publication)

Bottom line: Mike Tyson is alive, dealing with sciatica, and rebuilding his finances through cannabis. For fans worried about his wheelchair: it’s episodic, not permanent. For investors watching his net worth: the cannabis pivot is real but still in its early stages.

For the casual fan who last saw Tyson bite Holyfield’s ear, the 2025 version is a different man — still combustible in interviews, but more reflective and business-minded. His legacy is secure, his health is manageable, and his wealth is climbing again. The question now is whether Tyson can sustain the momentum — or if another left hook, metaphorical this time, is waiting.

Additional sources

bloodyknockout.com, binance.com, boredpanda.com, timesofindia.indiatimes.com, youtube.com, youtube.com, imdb.com

For more on his journey from youngest heavyweight champion to recent health updates, see Mike Tysons age and career details.

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Frequently asked questions

Who offered Mike Tyson $700 million?

Reports in 2024 mentioned a $700 million offer from a Saudi investor for what was described as a “career revival” package, but no official deal has been announced.

Did Mike Tyson go to Muhammad Ali’s funeral?

Yes, Tyson attended Ali’s funeral in Louisville in 2016 and delivered a eulogy referencing Ali’s influence.

Who has 0 losses in boxing?

Several boxers have undefeated records, notably Floyd Mayweather (50–0) and Rocky Marciano (49–0).

What is Mike Tyson’s religion?

He converted to Islam in the 1990s while incarcerated and has since described himself as a practicing Muslim.

Who is Mike Tyson’s daughter?

He has several children; his daughter Exodus died in 2009 in a tragic accident. He also has sons and another daughter.

What is Mike Tyson’s height?

He is 5 ft 10 in (178 cm).

How old is Mike Tyson?

Born June 30, 1966, he turned 58 in 2024.

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