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Mike Tyson’s IQ: How Smart Is ‘The Baddest Man on the Planet’?

Published 04/01/2023, 8:30 AM EDT

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Mike Tyson is known for being one of the greatest boxers in history, but there is much more to him than just his success in the ring. One of the most common things people want to know about the former Heavyweight champion is his IQ. There are many definitions of intelligence with the most common one being the mental capability to adapt to a situation.

According to IQ Test, it was revealed that ‘Iron’ Mike was not the brightest when it came to his school days. The only measured record of his IQ was taken at the time. Unfortunately, the score was not as high as many people would have expected.

What is Mike Tyson’s IQ score?

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The only time the former champion’s IQ was reportedly measured was back in his school days. According to IQ-test.net, his score classified him as borderline “mentally retarded” which typically means an IQ score in the 70-79 range. This might be very low for an average person. However, given the circumstances Tyson was being raised under, this could very well have been his state of mind at the time.

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In addition, it’s important to note that IQ is just one measure of intelligence, and many different types of intelligence cannot be measured by an IQ test. However, IQ tests are commonly used as a way to measure general cognitive ability, including skills such as problem-solving. Moreover, despite having to face numerous challenges in his life, ‘Iron’ Mike has shown remarkable resilience and adaptability, which are both signs of high intelligence. Moreover, let’s take a look at how his IQ compares to another all-time great Muhammad Ali.

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Mike Tyson’s IQ compared to Muhammad Ali

Ali’s score was in a similar range to that of Tyson. According to the book A Question of Intelligence: The IQ Debate in America by Daniel Seligman, Ali scored an IQ equivalent of 78 on his armed services exam. This puts him in the range of Tyson as the two seemed to have shared a similar IQ.

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While it can be concluded from the above claim that both Ali and  Tyson had lower IQ scores compared to an average person, it’s crucial to understand that this does not reflect their overall intelligence. Both fighters were highly successful in their careers and also demonstrated exceptional skills and ring IQ. Furthermore, they have also shown creativity and adaptability outside of boxing with Tyson running many successful businesses. Ali on the other hand was a beacon for social justice and change during a time of uncertainty.

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What is your take on the IQ scores of Mike Tyson and Muhammad Ali? Let us know in the comments below.

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Written by:

Sahil Sood

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Sahil Sood is a Boxing writer at EssentiallySports. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in journalism and mass communication, and holds a keen interest in the 'sweet science'. His journey towards following boxing began when he first saw the highlights of Mike Tyson as a teenager, and then closely followed the rise of Floyd Mayweather.
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Edited by:

Shibu Immanuel