“Best punch I’ve ever thrown,” When Mike Tyson proudly boasted about hitting his ex-wife Robin Givens

Mike Tyson’s first marriage was deeply troubled. In a book, Tyson admitted throwing his best punch of his career at his ex-wife Robin Givens.

“Best punch I’ve ever thrown,” When Mike Tyson proudly boasted about hitting his ex-wife Robin Givens

Mike Tyson and Robin Givens (Image Courtesy - Newsweek)

Mike Tyson is a former heavyweight boxing champion that destroyed everyone in his prime. He was also the most famous combat sports athlete in the 1980s and 90s. In the latter half of the 1980s, Tyson started dating actress Robin Givens. His life with the actress became the most controversial moment of his professional career before the rape trial and prison sentence in the early 90s.

After a year of dating, Mike Tyson and Givens married in September 1988. It did not last long, as the marriage had many problems. In October 1988, Givens filed for divorce on the grounds of spousal abuse, and the judge granted a restraining order in favor of the actress. Tyson made a shocking claim in the book Fire and Fear: The Inside Story of Mike Tyson. He talked about the best punch he ever threw in the book. This is what Tyson said: 

It was when I fought Robin in Steve Lott's apartment. She really offended me, and I went BAM. She flew backwards, hitting every wall in the apartment. That was the best punch I've ever thrown in my entire life.
Mike Tyson via Fire and Fear book
YouTube video

‘Iron Mike’ was also known for his violent behavior outside the boxing ring. In the same book, Jose Torres recollects certain moments with Mike Tyson. He quotes Tyson: 

I like to hurt women when I make love to them. . . . It gives me pleasure.
Jose Torres quoting Mike Tyson in Fear and Fire book

At the time, Tyson was a beloved fighter in the eyes of many. Hence, they bashed Givens for coming after Tyson’s money and fame.

https://twitter.com/cocainecross/status/1648488795011162120?t=BZCdB3enXlQCDXo8OnlmZA&s=19

The couple resided in New Jersey and had no children during their marriage. They officially divorced on Valentine’s Day in 1989. After the divorce, Givens did not find more prominent roles in Hollywood. Her career slowly started to decline in the 90s. She has continued acting in minor roles in relatively obscure films to this day.

Robin Givens describes her relationship with Mike Tyson

American actress Robin Givens landed a breakthrough role in the sitcom Head of the Class in 1986. Shortly after, she began dating the legendary boxer Tyson. The couple married in 1988, but things were not stable. Givens described what happened during the marriage in an interview with Barbara Walters.

Mike Tyson was married to Robin Givens
Mike Tyson was abusive towards Robin Givens (Image Courtesy – Sports Illustrated)

This is what Givens said about the marriage: 

Torture, pure hell, worse than anything I could possibly imagine. He would have gotten so bad that I think maybe one day he would have been more deliberate and killed himself or hurt somebody else."
Robin Givens via Barbara Walters interview

The couple divorced in February 1989 and went their separate ways. Tyson then went on to have the biggest scandal of his career when he was imprisoned for raping Desiree Washington in 1991.

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