When Mike Tyson Almost Beat The Hell Out Of Michael Jordan

I just rewatched ESPN Films and Netflix’s joint production ‘The Last Dance’, and had to laugh at some of the stories that came to light.

While one of these stories was an unpleasant first encounter with Mark Henry, another one was potentially even more dangerous for the six-time champion.

It was at a time when Mike Tyson was the undefeated heavyweight champion of the world, and in his absolute prime, but also in a break-up with his ex-wife Robin Givens, whom Jordan also had previously dated.

Then, at Bears defensive end Richard Dent’s 28th birthday dinner in 1988, to which both Tyson and Jordan had been invited to, things started to go south after Tyson had too many drinks, and went at Michael for his relationship with his ex-wife.

This was revealed by Tyson’s former manager, Rory Holloway, in his book ‘Taming the Beast: The Untold Story of Team Tyson.’

Per BoxingScene:

“Mike Tyson’s sitting there with his drink of choice, a Long Island Tea, and when he drinks his real feelings come out.

I’m telling the server to water his drinks down ‘cause I see where this is going. Mike stares across the table at Michael Jordan. He says, ‘Hey man, you think I’m stupid? I know you f**ked with my b*tch.’

Jordan looks like he just seen a ghost. ‘I know you messed with her,’ Mike says. ‘You can tell me.’

Jordan, it’s obvious he just wants to get up and run. He wants no part of this. Mike turns to Ditka. ‘Man, you think somebody scared of you, all that racist sh*t you been talking?’ He says to Dent, ‘Y’all scared of this damn white man, Richard? He ain’t nobody. You gonna let him talk that way?’

It was a circus, for real, that night. Don King trying to change the subject. Me and John trying to hold Mike down. Mike telling everyone he’s going to bust Jordan’s ass. Jordan’s dressed sharp as always and he can’t get out of there fast enough.”