Mike Tyson’s life has been a constant fight against his inner demons. These demons have led to two disastrous marriages and two turbulent divorces. It was not until he met his current partner Lakiha “Kiki” Spicer, that the former world heavyweight champion found some stability in his love life.
As he prepares to return to the ring once again to face influencer and boxer Jake Paul, Tyson spoke with rapper T.I. Harris about his relationship with Spicer and his view of marriage in general.
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“Iron Mike” has been married three times. The first time was with actress Robin Givens between 1988 and 1989. The marriage ended in a high-profile divorce, with accusations against the boxer for domestic violence. His second marriage was to Monica Turner in 1997, and they divorced in 2003.
Tyson recalled that he had known Spicer since the 1990s when she was 18 and he was 28. However, his then representative, Don King, warned him not to get involved with the girl, who was the daughter of a prominent Philadelphia religious leader and a boxing fan.
During the talk, Tyson admitted that he couldn’t live without a partner. “That’s why I got married three times… because I can’t live without a wife. If I don’t have a wife, I would commit suicide,” the former champion accepted. He explained that he needs someone to listen to him and help him make decisions: “I’m a soldier. I can’t think for myself; I need someone to do it… I know myself.”
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He warned, “Without my wife, I’m a wild animal…” but also claimed that his view of women has changed over the years. “I see women differently now that I’ve grown up. When I was young, I saw them as pure pleasure. Now that I’m older, I see them as the other half,” he stressed.
Their married life has been anything but easy. Tyson’s addictions usually bring out the worst in him, and although Spicer has been a fundamental part of his rehabilitation, it has been a long and difficult road.
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Despite all the difficulties, the couple has remained together, and in 2011 they had their second child, Morocco. Although Tyson’s sobriety is constant work, the boxer has found new ways to channel his energy from occasional exhibition fights to the Legends Only League, a boxing tournament for veteran fighters.