Mike Tyson has a new lease on life and a new respect for the IRS now that he’s paid off a substantial chunk of his tax debt. What he doesn’t have, however, are regrets for the lavish spending that landed him in a financial hole in the first place.
Tyson has had his share of tax troubles after filing bankruptcy in 2005, but says the IRS has been good to him.
“The IRS was very kind to me the other day. They excused $2million off my bill. I like the IRS now,” he revealed.
It’s not charity though, since Tyson says he’s been keeping up his end of the bargain. “Just look at the IRS check I just sent!”
Tyson opened up about his struggles during the Tribeca Film Festival over the weekend where he was marketing a documentary called “Champs”, which profiles Tyson and former boxing rival Evander Holyfield.
Holyfield, who was also at the promotion for the event, says he faced financial strain as well.
“All of sudden when I started making $20million a fight . . . and they started talking about things I had never heard of before so I just listened and figured they’d do the right thing,” Holyfield admitted.
“Unfortunately, it’s not people you don’t know, it’s people you do know and people you trust. A lot of the time we trust our family members, but you have to forgive. Because I have forgiven.”
Although Tyson knows that he’s made mistakes, he says he doesn’t beαt himself up about it.
“I didn’t spare any quarters any nickels or dimes either. I’m not regretful for that whatsoever,” he said.
Tyson says that although he isn’t smart, his kids are bright and are doing great things.
“I had a 9th grade education. But my kids go to Ivy League schools. I’m dumb as sh*t but I did something right.”
“I am a better parent than my mother and my father and that’s a victory in itself,” he explained
“Ten years ago, if you asked me where I’d be now, I’d have said f**king dead. But I’m not dead. I have an awesome life. And I’m just very grateful. That’s the one thing I try to convey. Gratitude.”
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