Mike Tyson Once Gave An Ex-Heavyweight Champion £2000 In Incredible Gesture

Mike Tyson once gave ex-pro boxer Tim Witherspoon and his daughter £2000 in cash in a previously untold act of kindness.

The duo were in Liverpool for a series of dinner event talks back in 2010 and Witherspoon went to meet Tyson in his hotel room.

Upon entering the room, Witherspoon saw Tyson counting up his money and decided to leave. But before getting out the door, he was stopped by 'Iron Mike'.

62-year-old Witherspoon told SunSport: "My daughter from Tottenham and I were in our hotel room.

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"And Mike's room wasn't ready yet, so he came to our room. Mike and several people came in and opened up a bag on our bed full of money and threw the money on the bed.

"And I said to my daughter, 'Come on, Shanayiah, let's get out of here because they're counting the money'.

"There was a lot of money. Mike said, 'Sit down! Where are you going?' I said, 'Well, we...' He said, 'No. Sit down, man'.

"He counted all the money and he gave me two grand. He was talking to me and my daughter.

"I thought that was really good of him."

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Tyson has been an advocate for charity since hanging up his gloves.

His recent comeback against Roy Jones Jr was born out of wanting to help those who are homeless and struggling in addiction.

But two-time heavyweight champion Witherspoon says Tyson's generosity was on show, even during his prime as the 'Baddest Man on the Planet.'

"Even before in the old days, Mike was real generous.

"The promoter wouldn't put me on the dinner show and Mike told him to put me on. Tyson got him to put me on the show.

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"I'm a former heavyweight champion of the world I knocked out Frank Bruno, but they didn't want me to be on the shows.

"Mike got me on and I also got paid. I think that was a good thing to do. Mike knows we as boxers have to stick together. He enforced it and made them put me on their shows.

"Because he thought it was wrong of them to turn their back on me."

Tyson's long-awaited return ended in a draw and he is keen to get back in the ring for more exhibitions in the future.

Topics: Mike Tyson, Boxing News, Boxing

Daniel Marland

Daniel is a journalist for SPORTbible and he has previous experience with Manchester United. He has spoken to some of the biggest names in sport including Rio Ferdinand, Peter Crouch, WWE COO Triple H and WWE legend The Undertaker. May or may not do a decent impression of Jamie Carragher.

@DanMarland_