Mike Tyson

Michael Gerard Tyson (born June 30, 1966, Brooklyn, New York, USA) is a former American professional boxer and World Heavyweight Champion, and is considered by many to be one of the greatest heavyweight boxers of all time. In his prime, he routinely defeated prominent opponents in devastating fashion, and was one of the most feared boxers in the sport, known by such nicknames as "Iron" Mike Tyson and The Baddest Man on the Planet.

Cameos and parodies

• Tyson's high-pitched voice and distinctive lisp have made him one of the most popular targets for comedians and impersonators throughout his career.
• In The Simpsons, boxer (and convicted felon) Drederick Tatum is clearly modelled on Mike Tyson.
• In 1987, Nintendo released Mike Tyson's Punch-Out!!, an NES game based on the arcade game "Punch Out!!", although there was later a version released in 1990 that replaced Mike Tyson with a fictional character, "Mr. Dream" after Nintendo's license with Mike Tyson expired. It is considered to be one of the best games released for the NES, and is highly regarded to this day.
• In 1989, DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince scored a #23 R&B/#58 Pop hit with "I Think I Can Beat Mike Tyson", in which the Fresh Prince envisions himself taking on the heavyweight champ (and taking a beating in the process). Tyson appears as himself in the song's music video.
• In the Japanese version of Capcom's Street Fighter II series, Balrog is called Mike Bison, as a parody of Mike Tyson, possibly called with a full name of "Michael Gerard Bison." Capcom USA switched the names of the Shadaloo Grandmasters around for the American versions in order to avoid a potential lawsuit from Mike Tyson.