On Saturday night, sports fans will have an opportunity to take in legendary heavyweight boxing champion Mike Tyson like never before with the premiere of "Undisputed Truth."
The 90-minute film is an adaptation of Tyson's Broadway show in which he opens up about his past and his struggles. Virtually no topic is off limits and instead of listing excuses for his behavior or lifestyle, Tyson, with the help of director Spike Lee, tells the true tale of how he came to be larger than life.
Lee has high praise for Tyson's willingness to open up, per The Daily Herald's Jacqueline Carter:
I have never been around a human being as honest as he is. The majority of human beings are trying to hide their imperfections, and to be naked and to bare your soul with some stuff that he is not proud of—that takes enormous courage.
Here, we'll get you ready with everything you need to know for Saturday's television premiere.
Date: Saturday, November 16, 2013
Start Time: 8 p.m. ET
Watch: HBO
What to Expect
As already mentioned, Tyson doesn't hold back in "Undisputed Truth." He openly discusses his troubled past and his laundry list of poor decisions. The goal isn't to gain forgiveness for his shortcomings but instead to present an entertaining confession that also relieves him of the burden of secrecy.
Throughout the film, Tyson talks about his struggle with drugs and alcohol. And as The Telegraph's Jon Swaine points out, Tyson recently revealed in his new book of the same title that he was high during major bouts:
He said that he was high before taking to the ring for a match against Lou Savarese in Glasgow in June 2000 – and came up with an ingenious method to prevent detection by the sport's official testers.
Confessing he had taken "blow" and "pot" before the bout, he said: “I had to use my whizzer, which was a fake penis where you put in someone’s clean urine to pass your drug test.”
He blamed a $200,000 fine for testing positive for marijuana after a 2000 fight against Andrew Golota in Detroit on the fact that he was tested before having a chance to get the 'whizzer' from a member of his team, whom he claims typically carried the device from fight to fight.
Shocking revelations like these are what make "Undisputed Truth" must-see television.
But Tyson also reveals his stumbles growing up before he entered the spotlight, according to Cutler. The now 47-year-old had been arrested numerous times and was ultimately sent to a juvenile detention center, where he met trainer Cus D'Amato and launched his Hall of Fame boxing career.
In addition to his various run-ins with the law, Tyson talks about his troubled relationships.
Along the way he cracks jokes and provides behind-the-scenes details that few know about.
The title of the film, "Undisputed Truth," suggests that Tyson has come to accept his troubled past and would rather be welcomed as another flawed human being rather than be wrongfully revered as an intact icon.
Whether you love him or hate him, "Undisputed Truth" is sure to provide a crucial perspective on the legacy and life of one of sports' most influential figures.
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