As a boxing city, Las Vegas was the site of some of the biggest triumphs of Mike Tyson’s legendary career. That’s part of the reason Tyson, now 55, has made Las Vegas his home. And that’s also why Sin City has honored Tyson as a staple of its culture and community.
The former heavyweight champion was honored Thursday night with the unveiling of a new statue at Resorts World in Las Vegas. The statue stands 10 feet tall and is located outside Mulberry Street Pizzeria.
Tyson, one of the most iconic boxers of all time, reigned as the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world from 1987 to 1990.
“Mulberry Street Pizzeria owner and founder Richie Palmer is an avid boxing fan and felt Tyson represents a highlight in the sports world as well as Las Vegas,” reads a press release from Mulberry Street Pizzeria. “He thought it was time for Tyson to be honored with his own statue, something the team at Resorts World agreed with, so they worked together to make it happen.”
Las Vegas was the scene of some of Tyson’s most memorable moments in the ring, including an infamous 1997 fight in which he was disqualified after biting off part of Evander Holyfield’s ear.
Far beyond Sin City, Tyson’s boxing career has already been widely recognized. He has been inducted into both the International Boxing Hall of Fame and the World Boxing Hall of Fame.