The “Baddest Man on the Planet” is ready to tell his story. Mike Tyson opens up about his turbulent life and career in “TYSON,” a new four-part documentary series premiering October 13 on Netflix, offering an unflinching look at one of the most compelling and polarizing figures in sports history.
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What the Documentary Covers
“TYSON” traces the boxer’s life from his chaotic upbringing in Brooklyn, New York, through his meteoric rise to global superstardom. After stunning the boxing world by winning the heavyweight title at just 20 years old, Tyson reigned as the undisputed world heavyweight champion from 1987 to 1990, becoming the youngest heavyweight champion in history.

The series doesn’t shy away from the darker chapters that followed, including his incarceration, financial struggles, substance abuse, and the controversies that marked his time in the ring — including his infamous ear-biting incident against Evander Holyfield, which features prominently in the trailer. The documentary also touches on his 2024 return to the ring at age 58 to face Jake Paul, a bout that became the most-streamed live sporting event ever at the time.
Speaking about the project, Tyson reflected on how difficult it is for people to view their own lives with real objectivity rather than casting themselves as the hero of their own narrative — a framing that sets the tone for a documentary built around raw self-examination rather than a sanitized highlight reel.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Title | TYSON |
| Platform | Netflix |
| Release Date | October 13, 2026 |
| Episodes | 4, roughly 60 minutes each |
| Director | Floyd Russ |
| Executive Producers | Bill Simmons, Jim Gray, Ian Orefice |
| Producers | Jenna Millman, Jacob Miller, Alexa Ginsburg |
| Subject | Mike Tyson’s life, career and legacy |
| Related Release | Mike Tyson: Return of the Mike (one-man show), Nov. 3 on Netflix |
Told Through Interviews
The series is built around interviews with Tyson himself alongside people who knew and worked with him throughout his career, giving the story a first-person, unfiltered feel. The trailer opens with the voice of his late trainer and father figure, Cus D’Amato, who shaped the aggressive, high-pressure fighting style that defined Tyson’s rise. Netflix has described the tone as unfiltered and deeply personal, framing the series as a portrait of greatness, fall, and redemption rather than a purely celebratory retrospective.

Behind the Camera
Floyd Russ directs the series, which is produced by Jenna Millman, Jacob Miller, and Alexa Ginsburg, with Bill Simmons, Jim Gray, and Ian Orefice serving as executive producers. David Bolen and Jacob Moller serve as directors of photography, with editing by Wax Taber and Dan Duran. Notably, the project comes from the same production team behind Netflix’s acclaimed “American Manhunt: O.J. Simpson.”
A Companion Special
Alongside the docuseries, Netflix also announced “Mike Tyson: Return of the Mike,” a filmed version of Tyson’s latest one-man stage show, debuting November 3. Directed by his wife, Kiki (Lakiha) Spicer, and filmed at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, the special takes a more humorous look at Tyson’s life after his boxing glory faded, touching on his struggles with aging, mental health, and addiction — described by Netflix as proof that the “baddest man on the planet” can also be one of the funniest.
Why It Matters
“TYSON” arrives as part of a broader wave of high-profile athlete documentaries on Netflix, following the platform’s four-part “Hulk Hogan: Real American.” With Tyson’s story spanning extraordinary sporting triumph, deep personal controversy, and an improbable late-career comeback, the series taps into a rare mix of nostalgia and raw honesty that positions it as one of Netflix’s more anticipated sports documentaries of the year.

FAQs
When does TYSON premiere?
October 13, 2026, on Netflix.
How many episodes does the series have?
Four episodes, each roughly 60 minutes long.
Who directs the Mike Tyson documentary?
Floyd Russ directs, with Bill Simmons, Jim Gray, and Ian Orefice as executive producers.
Is there a companion special to the documentary?
Yes, “Mike Tyson: Return of the Mike,” a filmed one-man show, premieres November 3 on Netflix.
What does the documentary cover?
Tyson’s rise from a troubled Brooklyn upbringing to becoming the youngest heavyweight champion, along with his controversies, incarceration, and his 2024 return to the ring against Jake Paul.





