Mike Tyson does not claim to be the second coming of Redd Foxx or Elvis. But the 
former heavyweight champion knows what visitors to Las Vegas want when they arrive in the gambling oasis — one-of-a-kind entertainment.
For many years, Tyson was accustomed to thrilling crowds in the desert with sneering ferocity and sheer ring audacity. Now he will try to make people laugh — perhaps cringe or cry — during his solo stand-up act April 13-18 in the Hollywood Theater at the MGM Grand Hotel & Casino. He will answer questions and sign autographs after the debut of Mike Tyson: Undisputed Truth — Live on Stage.
The show was created and produced by Adam Steck of SPI Entertainment, directed by Randy Johnson and co-written by Kiki Tyson, the former fighter's wife, and Johnson.
Tyson, 45, hopes to peel back the veneer of his celebrity — and vulnerability — to reveal what should be humorous, raw and poignant vignettes from his often-tumultuous life. Tyson has spent time in prison for rape, endured multiple divorces and the death of a child, and fought drug and alcohol addiction.
The famously tattooed ex-fighter plans to discuss many of the people who affected his life, including late trainer, Cus D'Amato, promoter Don King and former wife, actress Robin Givens.
"My life is bigger than a one-hour show, (but) this stuff could get really crazy,'' Tyson told USA TODAY on Sunday.
Tyson said he was inspired when he saw Chazz Palminteri star in his Bronx Tale Broadway act. Tyson won a Golden Globe award for his 2009 cameo role in The Hangover.
"I thought, 'This guy is awesome,' '' Tyson said. "I told my wife, 'Babe, this basically is what I do when I go to Europe and Asia for meet-and-greets. I thought, 'I can do that.' I am excited — and I am nervous. This is what I want to do, entertain people.''
He also hopes the public will have a greater understanding of who he is and from where he came before his meteoric ascent to stardom during the late '80s and early '90s.
"I was an insecure, scared guy who didn't want anyone to bully (me) anymore,'' Tyson said. "I want people to know how I came from being this insecure kid — a little street urchin — meeting this old Italian guy (D'Amato) who had been around the world and had six lives before I even met him.
"All of a sudden, I am saying in my sick mind, 'I'm a God! I'm invincible — no one can defeat me.' That was the dichotomy that I never really understood. Here I was this ratty, little kid from Brownsville (section of New York) and now I am talking about invincibility — 'No one on the planet can withstand me.' Who was that guy?''
About Reid and Mike
Reid Cherner has been with USA TODAY since 1982 and written Game On! since March 2008.
He has covered everything from high schools to horse racing to the college and the pros. The only thing he likes more than his own voice is the sound of readers telling him when he's right and wrong.
Michael Hiestand has covered sports media and marketing for USA TODAY, tackling the sports biz ranging from what's behind mega-events such as the Olympics and Super Bowl to the sometimes-hidden numbers behind the sports world's bottom line.
