KEY POINTS

  • Mike Tyson shares an interesting insight about his professional career
  • Tyson thinks he and Tiger Woods had something in common
  • Woods' scandal in the past was once compared to Tyson's downfall

Mike Tyson and Tiger Woods may have been taking on an identical path.

In the sporting world, most champions can only win so much and eventually end up losing their titles for various reasons.

For former undisputed world heavyweight champion Tyson, he, as well as 15-time major champion Woods, had endured almost the same type of obstacles at one point.

Sharing his thoughts on the “highs and lows” of the golf icon during an episode of his "Hotboxin’ With Mike Tyson" podcast earlier this year, the boxer pointed out that he was “designed” like the legendary golfer.

Further explaining his claim, “Iron Mike” suggested that he and Woods both hit rock bottom but managed to bounce back as well.

“The best revenge is a massive success,” Tyson said of Woods’ career. “We’re designed to be beaten in sports. But it’s what are we going to do after that? Are we going to give up because we think this is the best moment of our lives and we no longer have it because we no longer possess that crown?”

“We have to go on and continue to improve ourselves as human beings,” he continued.

Tiger Woods has battled back pain for years, but made a comeback after his fourth back operation to win the 2019 Masters
Tiger Woods has battled back pain for years, but made a comeback after his fourth back operation to win the 2019 Masters GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Rob Carr

In November 2009, Woods dealt with the aftermath of his extramarital affair. It was then followed by a car crash, and more women came forward claiming they also had intimate relationships with the golf athlete.

The said scandal cost Woods his marriage, multiple corporate sponsorships, and the world's No. 1 ranking.

In 2011, golf analyst Johnny Miller likened Woods' crash and burn to Tyson's downfall in boxing.

"It's a little bit like a Mike Tyson story, to be honest with you," Miller said. "Sort of invincible, scared everybody, performed quickly under pressure. Until a Buster Douglas came along...His life crumbled.”

“It's like Humpty Dumpty,” he continued. “He was on the high wall, way above all the other players, and had a great fall, and there are pieces all over the place trying to put them together."

After almost three years of not winning, Woods managed to redeem his career and won the Arnold Palmer Invitational in March 2012.

Tyson, on the other hand, was widely known for his troubles with the law. Like Woods, a series of scandals also saw “The Baddest Man on the Planet” compromising his career.

The said troubles reached its peak in 2004 when Tyson admitted that he had been sleeping in homeless shelters and living like a "street bum.”

Though Tyson never became a world champion again, he slowly managed to get back up and has embarked on various ventures.

Mike Tyson
Mike Tyson vows to disable Roy Jones Jr. on Nov. 28, 2020. Getty Images | Donald Kravitz