Mike Tyson: A pigeon caused my first fight

Mike Tyson on his lifelong love for pigeons and how a decapitation sparked his first fight; taped in 2011.

The full interview with Mike Tyson is available on the In Depth with Graham Bensinger Podcast, available at the links below and wherever you enjoy listening to podcasts:

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[kedrick]

I don't know what it is, but I love hearing about this side of Tyson.

[kimmolaine]

This guy who ripped the pigeons head off deserved to get the shit kicked out of him. Ain't no fucking reason to be doing that.

[jasonsanders]

he really does have genuine empathy for those animals. I think that the anger he showed in his youth probably stemmed from how sensitive he really is.

[elevatedgaming]

He’s so strong and fragile at the same time, like a diamond.

[kavaautomotive]

the interviewer is awesome, not to pushy and very respectful!

[ollieconroy]

The only interviewer that doesn’t try to provoke Mike, just asking nice questions

[RogueA.I.]

I love how self conscious he is when he talks about his love for his birds. There’s nothing weird about being connected to animals and wanting to care for them.

[calistarofficial]

I like how hes embarrassed and the interviewer is like "No its interesting" because it is and how did you discover them and how did you find peace

[BlaiseTighe]

It's sad because this was probably a very traumatic experience for him, but it's one of his most well known stories so he has to constantly retell it.
It's like a vet with an amazing story that everyone loves to hear, but you can see the PTSD, discomfort and sadness as they recall the horror of it all.

[SirCaco]

Somebody stole his pet bird, ripped its head off in front of him, threw the body at him, and smeared him with the blood that was gushing out of its neck.


And some people wonder why he was so angry in his younger years.

[reggie]

I love how the interviewer isn’t trying to be smug or clown on Tyson’s passion. He is trying to get an authentic version of Tyson. This is GOLD!!

[sarahstauffer]

I had a brush with death about 4yrs ago.. I lost a lot of blood at that time. Then my Son brought me a pigeon on my birthday.. I grew close to this bird. They totally have feelings. My grandma passed away about a year after we got her. She caught me crying on the couch after grandma passed, she walked up to me ever so gently, and sat next to me.. She knew I was upset and provided comfort.. But a week after Grandma passed, Pearly Bird passed too.. She changed the way I look at Pigeons FOREVER!!! ☁️💛🕊️✝️🕊️💛☁️

[Alteori]

Tyson is so humble and sweet and the interviewer is a breath of fresh air. SO professional and he actually treats people like human beings. He's VERY professional. That is rare!

[willm]

It’s heartwarming and heartbreaking that someone as ferocious and tough as mike tyson has a part of him deep down that is still a kid who loves birds.

[deonpersaud]

Mike's true personality is fragile like a pigeon. He sees peace and tranquility in these birds. You see how caring and calm Mike is talking about his true love for the birds. This is the real Mike Tyson. Boxing, fame and money is not desired by Mike anymore. He hated that lifestyle because it lost it structure when Cus died. Mike's past was a result of a lack of nurture. This is why Mike is nurturing these pigeons with addiction. He is trying to prove he is human and not the animal he was in the past. Greed failed Mike as a boxer and a human when he was a youth. And by the way, if Cus was still with Mike and Mike vs Ali both in their prime. Ali would have joined the army just to avoid Mike. LOL.

[johnpasquale]

MIKE TYSON..glad you re still here ...he s not afraid to show himself..true tough amazing individual

[gxdc]

These videos honestly deserves more views. Much love for tyson.

[bigguccihunna]

I liked Mike Tyson my whole life but now I absolutely love the guy, especially when he's talking about his passion with animals 🐦❤️

[PearsAreOkay]

Bensinger is an incredible interviewer.

[tonyfrangos]

I live in Vegas and help homeless people and a guy I help says Mike visits him and gives him $100 and has coffee with him. He's a genuine great guy with soft heart.