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41 Years After His Mother’s Death, Mike Tyson Opens Up About Growing Up in a “Brothel”

Published 06/10/2023, 3:21 PM EDT

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During his formative years, Mike Tyson faced considerable hurdles and was exposed to a tumultuous environment. He spent his childhood in the Brownsville neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York, during the 1960s and 1970s. Tyson’s mother, Lorna Mae Smith, held a significant position in his life; however, her untimely demise occurred when he was merely 16 years old.

Tyson’s upbringing in such an environment had a deep and lasting impact on his life, significantly diverging from the normative experiences of a young child. The early exposure to violence, crime, and the harsh realities of growing up in a disadvantaged neighborhood profoundly shaped his perspective and influenced his personal growth. Previously, he had also talked about an encounter he had with the police, where even shots were fired.

Despite the numerous obstacles and hardships he encountered during his formative years, Tyson has consistently displayed a willingness to openly discuss his struggles. His transparency has shed light on the challenges he faced and the resilience he developed in the face of adversity. Recently Stephen A. Smith appeared on Tyson’s podcast. During their conversation, Tyson opened up about growing up in a “Brothel”.

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Mike Tyson opened up about growing up in a brothel

Recently sports TV personality appeared on Hotboxin’ with Mike Tyson. During one segment of the episode, Tyson talked about the struggles he had to face while growing up in a brothel.

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When Smith expressed his views on parenting and the importance of instilling certain values in children, Tyson acknowledged the sentiment, recognizing the different situations people come from.

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Reflecting on his own upbringing, Tyson revealed, “I was born in a brothel”. Moreover, he told Smith that his parents weren’t fluent in English. He humorously remarked that if his parents spoke proper English, he might not have understood them.

Tyson candidly described the chaotic atmosphere he grew up in. There he was exposed to a constant barrage of explicit language and violent exchanges. He vividly recalled the frequent use of profanity. Moreover, his parents uttered words like “b***h“ho,” and “m****rf*****r” in their everyday conversations.

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Watch This Story: Jimmy Kimmel, Ellen DeGeneres, And More: Top 5 Talk Shows Mike Tyson Appeared On

Smith, taken aback by Tyson’s revelations, acknowledged the uniqueness of his experience, recognizing that everyone comes from different backgrounds with varying circumstances. Tyson’s story serves as a reminder of the diverse and often challenging paths individuals traverse in their journeys through life.

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Written by:

Chirag Radhyan

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Chirag Radhyan is a Boxing Writer at EssentiallySports. He has authored over 300 articles and loves to talk about the animosity between athletes, leading up to a fight. His coverage of the off-court drama between Jake Paul and Tommy Fury received widespread appreciation from readers.
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Edited by:

Arijit Saha