
via Getty
WALSALL, UNITED KINGDOM – NOVEMBER 18: Former world heavyweight boxing champion Mike Tyson meets up with a pigeon fancier Horace Potts (L), of Bloxwich, Walsall, West Midlands on November 18, 2005 in Walsall, England. Tyson who is well known for his love of pigeons dropped in to the home of pigeon fancier Horace Watts whilst on route to Birmingham, England, for a hotel dinner boxing event. (Photo by Stringer/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Mike Tyson;Horace Potts

via Getty
WALSALL, UNITED KINGDOM – NOVEMBER 18: Former world heavyweight boxing champion Mike Tyson meets up with a pigeon fancier Horace Potts (L), of Bloxwich, Walsall, West Midlands on November 18, 2005 in Walsall, England. Tyson who is well known for his love of pigeons dropped in to the home of pigeon fancier Horace Watts whilst on route to Birmingham, England, for a hotel dinner boxing event. (Photo by Stringer/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Mike Tyson;Horace Potts
Lonely and often the butt of jokes among peers due to his shrill voice and chubby demeanor, Mike Tyson found company among feathered friends. He has had a life that saw him reach the professional summit and hit rock bottom. His personal life, with its ups and downs, in a way, mimicked the ring life. However, the pigeons never left his side, even now, when he’s well retired and finding success in other avenues. Probably he never regrets the day when a bunch of thugs made him their errand boy, taking care of the pigeon coop.
Early today, Mike Tyson shared a short clip of him amidst his flock of pigeons, fluttering, cooing, and grunting across the loft. The clip appears to have served the dual purpose of showcasing his tie-up with apparel retailer Zumiez. Tyson wrote, “Go Brr! More styles from my collection just dropped at all @Zumiez locations 🥊”
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The ‘Bird of Peace’ and Mike Tyson
Tyson’s first contact with the pigeons happened on a rather unsavory note when as a child, a gang waylaid him for money. Realizing he didn’t have any, they told him to take care of their pigeons. And soon, the young started loving the creatures. He shared, “…they said, ‘Go to the roof, shorty.’. I didn’t know if they were going to kill me. We climbed up to the roof, and I saw a little box with some pigeons in it. These guys were building a pigeon coop. So I became their little gofer, their smuck-slave.”
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Most fans know the story of him throwing his first punch. When a neighborhood bully killed one of his pigeons, Tyson fought with him, throwing punches. Then again, he broke up with a girlfriend once she reportedly served him one of his pigeons at her residence. He preferred parting ways with her than eating his beloved birds. On Boomer and Carton radio show, he said, “I was dating this young lady, and she said, ‘I don’t know why you’re flying those damn birds; you should be eating them… It just wasn’t the right thing to do. That’s why she’s not my woman anymore.” It’s hard to imagine, but inside the heart of the ring’s meanest and most savage pugilist lives the most benevolent soul.
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What is your take on the hobby that Mike Tyson continues to pursue? Please share your thoughts and views with us in the comments section below.
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