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From Broke to Successful Businessman, 56-Year-Old Mike Tyson Reminisces About His “Poor Man’s Toy”

Published 04/26/2023, 3:27 PM EDT

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Mike Tyson is a name synonymous with the world of boxing. However, the former heavyweight champion is also known for his candid conversations and witty remarks. Recently, Tyson reminisced about his childhood Christmas gift after hearing comedian Tommy Davidson describe his own Christmas present.

Growing up in the Brownsville neighborhood of Brooklyn, Tyson faced poverty and often had to do without many of the luxuries that other children had. Moreover, like Tyson, Davidson also had a similar childhood filled with hardships. Thus, it wasn’t too surprising that the two were able to relate to the Christmas presents they got.

Tommy Davidson describes the presents his friend got for Christmas

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In the latest episode of his podcast Hotboxin, Davidson recalled how his friend Howard received a gift of three little plastic army men for Christmas. Moreover, he thought that his mother was ‘crazy’ to give him such an underwhelming present.

He had a paper bag with a bow on it. When he opened it, he had three of those little plastic army men. That’s what he got for Christmas. You put him on and they’re standing there. So my mother, I thought she was crazy now, yeah they’re green and they’re all in the same pose.” said Davison.

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However, when he mentioned this gift to the former heavyweight champion he received a surprising response. In addition, the response also revealed a bit about Tyson’s own childhood experiences.

Mike Tyson recalls the toy he had when he was a child

Surprisingly, ‘Iron Mike’ knew what toy Davidson was talking about. Moreover, he even claimed that he had this toy when he was a young kid. “Such A Poor Man’s Toy” he said recalling the toy.

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The comment, delivered with a hint of amusement, seemed to be a playful jab at Davidson’s gift but also gives us an insight into Tyson’s past. It also showcased how ‘Iron Mike’ has come a long way from being poor to a successful businessman. Although he lost all his wealth back in 2004, he is now in a quite finically stable position.

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Moreover, his comment on Davidson’s was a staunch example of the hardships he had to face. The gift is a reminder that many people grow up in poverty and have limited access to material goods, including toys. It’s also a testament to the power of resilience and the ability to find joy in simple things. Tyson’s comment on Davidson’s Christmas gift may seem like a small exchange. However, it shows that material possessions are not the only path to happiness and success.

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What did you think about Tyson reminiscing about his Christmas gift? Let us know in the comments.

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Written by:

Sahil Sood

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Sahil Sood is a Boxing writer at EssentiallySports, who specializes in covering live events and core sports. Sahil holds a Bachelor's degree in Journalism and Mass Communication and has authored over 1300 articles at EssentiallySports. His coverage of Sylvester Stallone's training with Earnie Shavers was widely praised for its depth and insight.
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Edited by:

Arijit Saha