Tyson files for bankruptcy

Mike Tyson has filed for bankruptcy in the US Bankruptcy Court in a bid to resolve his financial problems.

The former world heavyweight champion has earned hundreds of millions of pounds during his fighting career but is believed to have squandered his fortune.

Tyson’s attorney Debra Grassgreen told BBC Sport Online: “As a professional fighter who relied on others to manage his affairs, he discovered that his debts far exceeded his assets.

“Now he has taken the lead in bringing order to his financial affairs.”

Tyson is attempting to recoup money he claims he is owed by promoter Don King in a 100million US dollars lawsuit.

The troubled times of Mike Tyson:

1978: Arrested for purse-snatching as a 12-year-old in Brooklyn.

1982: Expelled from high school after various incidents.

1987: Charged with assault after allegedly hitting parking attendant who said he attempted to intervene when Tyson tried to kiss a woman employee. Settles out of court.

1988: Tyson’s wife, actress Robin Givens, and her mother demand access to the boxer’s money for a downpayment on a €4.3m New Jersey home. Givens and family accuse Tyson of violence.

Sues manager Bill Cayton to break their contract, settles out of court.

Breaks right hand in an early-morning street brawl with former opponent Mitch Green.

Knocked unconscious after driving his car into a tree in driveway of former mentor Cus D’Amato’s home, the New York Daily News reported the accident was a “suicide attempt” caused by a “chemical imbalance” that made him violent and irrational.

Sits passively alongside Givens as she tells American national television audience he is manic-depressive and that their marriage has been hellish.

Police called to Tyson’s home after he throws furniture out of the window and forces Givens and her mother to flee the house.

Givens sues for divorce. Tyson countersues.

Tyson gets bill for $2m (€1.8m) from financial advisor Donald Trump.

Givens seeks libel damages of €119m against Tyson over a newspaper story.

Tyson sues Cayton again and is sued himself for €87,500 by Manhattan furrier who claims money is payment for sable coat bought for Givens’ mother.

Sandra Miller sues Tyson for allegedly grabbing her, insulting her and propositioning her in New York nightclub.

Lori Davis sues Tyson for allegedly grabbing her buttocks while she was dancing at same nightclub on same night as Miller incident.

1989: Tyson and Givens granted divorce in Dominican Republic.

Givens withdraws €119m libel suit.

Accused of slapping parking attendant outside Los Angeles nightclub. Charges later dropped.

Fined €250 and sentenced to community service for speeding.

1990: Knocked out by James ‘Buster’ Douglas in 10th round in Tokyo to lose world heavyweight title in one of the biggest upsets in boxing history.

Sued by Phyllis Polaner, former aide to Givens, for sexual assault and harassment.

New York City civil jury finds Tyson committed battery in Miller case.

1991: Admits paternity of eight-month-old girl born to Kimberly Scarborough.

Takes 18-year-old Miss Black America contestant Desiree Washington to his hotel room in early hours of morning. Washington files police complaint charging Tyson with rape. Indicted by Indianapolis special grand jury on rape and three other charges.

Natalie Fears files €11.5m palimony and paternity lawsuit against Tyson.

1992: Blood test shows Tyson is not father of Natalie Fears’ son.

Convicted on rape and other charges concerning Washington, jailed for six years.

1993: Fails high school diploma examination which would have shortened his sentence.

1995: Released after serving half of six-year jail term.

1996: Lost WBA and WBC world titles he had regained the previous year when stopped by Evander Holyfield.

1997: Fined €2.9m and lost Nevada boxing licence after being disqualified for biting Holyfield’s ears in rematch. Suffers broken ribs in motorcycling accident in Connecticut.

1999: Returns to the ring after having his licence returned and knocks out South African Francois Botha in the fifth round. On February 5 sentenced to a year in prison after being found guilty of assaulting two motorists in a traffic incident.

1999: Released from prison in June.

1999: Threatens to quit ring after his October comeback fight in Las Vegas is declared a no-contest following a knee injury to opponent Orlin Norris, who was floored seconds after the bell for the opening round.

2000: January – Ahead of his fight against Julius Francis in Manchester, British immigration officials warn Tyson will be turned back at the border because of his conviction for rape. However, Home Secretary Jack Straw later relents and, under “special powers” Tyson is allowed to enter Britain for a limited time.

August: Tyson is fined €179,000 by the British Boxing Board of Control after being found guilty of misconduct during his Glasgow bout against Lou Savarese in June. Tyson failed to stop throwing punches after the referee stopped the fight.

He was also reprimanded for the use of bad language.

2002: January: Brawls with Lennox Lewis at press conference to announce their forthcoming world heavyweight title fight.

2002: June – Loses Lewis fight as the Briton stops him in the eighth round.

2003: August – Files for bankruptcy in the US Bankruptcy Court.