Mike Tyson has amused and shocked the world with his tale of catching his ex-wife, Robin Givens, with none other than Brad Pitt—yes, the Brad Pitt. Tyson’s reaction to seeing me was something to behold, but the true story is far more disturbing. He had threatened me with violence, boasting that he could kill me and escape consequences. Throughout their marriage, Tyson was abusive toward Robin, using threats of self-harm as a way to control her and prevent her from leaving. For years, the media played a part in concealing his violent behavior. Today, we’re digging deep to uncover the real story behind the Brad Pitt incident and peeling back the layers of deception surrounding the abuse, to finally shed light on what truly happened between Tyson and Givens.
The Impact
I can still remember that moment so clearly. He turned and threw a powerful hook that landed right on my side. I was slammed into one corner of the wall and then bounced to the other side, finally collapsing. Mike didn’t hold back about it; he said, “She really pushed me, so I hit her hard. She flew backward, crashing into every wall in the apartment. It was the best punch I’ve ever thrown.”
Looking back, I thought, “Wow, he must really love me.” It’s a chilling thought now. Even though Mike was abusive, Robin stayed with him, interpreting his violence as a twisted form of love. I can’t understand how she could mistake that for genuine affection.
Mike’s Childhood
The media had its own take on the situation, suggesting that Robin was with Mike for his money. Many assumed she only married him to get his wealth, questioning why a well-educated actress would be involved with someone who had dropped out of high school.
Robin’s own past might have helped her relate to Mike. She came from an abusive background, and Mike’s childhood was no less troubled. He hardly knew his father, his mother struggled to manage him, and he spent his early years running with a gang. Things took a darker turn when, at just 11 years old, Mike was sent to a detention home for delinquent boys.
Muhammad Ali once visited, and I thought, “That’s what I want to be—world champion and more.” Mike Tyson achieved that dream by becoming the youngest heavyweight champion ever. But when he lost Jim Jacobs, his manager and father figure, at the height of his career, his life took a dark turn. Robin Givens stayed by his side during this challenging time, but Jim’s sudden death left everyone unprepared for the turmoil that followed.
After Jim’s Death
With Jim gone, Mike was left without a manager, and his future seemed uncertain. This frustration seemed to be taken out on Robin, which fueled rumors of abuse in the tabloids. To clear the air, Robin and Mike did an intimate interview with Barbara Walters. During the interview, Robin spoke about Mike’s behavior—how he would shake, push, or swing at her—but it wasn’t always visible to others. People watching saw her calm demeanor and doubted her claims, thinking that someone being abused wouldn’t appear so composed.
The interview ended up backfiring. Public opinion turned against Robin, with many blaming her for the abuse and criticizing her for supposedly being too outspoken. The night before the interview, Mike made a chilling threat: he said he was going to kill Robin and make it look like an accident. His calmness made his words even more terrifying.
Mike’s controlling nature was evident in his actions, like rubbing Robin’s neck as if to intimidate her into silence. Despite the threats, Robin stayed because Mike used the tactic of threatening to kill himself if she left. This manipulation kept her trapped. One time, Mike crashed his car into a tree to get sympathy, demonstrating the ongoing cycle of abuse.
Robin knew she had to break free not just for herself but for her family, as her mother and sister had also faced violence. Leaving was incredibly difficult, but it was clear that breaking free was necessary. Even though Robin didn’t have a model of a healthy relationship to follow, she was determined to create one for herself.
Robin thought she was finally free, but Mike continued to pursue her, showing up at her new home in a car she recognized—one she had paid for. It was clear that Mike wouldn’t let go easily, and the struggle was far from over.
You should have seen his face when he saw me—he was terrified. I remember the story well. I’d heard he’d caught them in bed together. Mike claimed Robin was having an affair with Brad while they were still married, but Robin denied it, saying she and Mike were in the middle of their divorce when she got involved with Brad Pitt. Did he catch you and Brad pulling up in the driveway? Yes, exactly. And apparently, Brad said, “Don’t hit me. Don’t hit me.”
When their divorce was finalized, everyone expected Robin to go after Mike’s money, but what came out was even more surprising. Givens’ celebrity divorce attorney dropped a bombshell: “I will not seek nor accept any money for myself. I never married Michael for money.” That was a shocker, proving Robin wasn’t in it for financial gain. As she started moving on, the media began turning on Mike. Why? He was once celebrated as a heavyweight champion but now was known as a racist. Mike Tyson, convicted of rape and sentenced to 10 years in prison, faced even more scrutiny. Michael Jai White, who played Mike in a biopic, revealed some disturbing truths that the media had tried to hide. After Mike was jailed, more of his interviews surfaced, showing a darker side of him and his views on violence and women. “But now I really do want to rape her.” Nobody knew about this—neither Robin nor anyone else. If that footage had been out there sooner, it might not have been so shocking. If there’s anything villainous here, it’s the media’s role in all of this.
Despite his conviction, Mike still maintains his innocence. He talks about how prison changed him, claiming it was a blessing in disguise. “You talked about your time in prison and said it turned out to be a blessing. I’m just a different person now. I was part of the problem too.” Years later, as he’s seen as a changed man, he sits down with Oprah and reflects on his infamous Barbara Walters interview, saying, “I really wanted to sock her.” He admits their relationship was volatile, but despite everything, Mike went on to find success in comedy, starring in movies like The Hangover and doing his one-man show, I’m Torture. He describes his struggles in raw terms: “It’s been pure hell, every day.”
Robin wasn’t about to let Mike control her life or her story. She fought back against the media, writing to Oprah: “I wouldn’t be honest if I didn’t admit that a part of me wanted you to say that’s not right. Laughter can help lighten the load for other women going through similar things.” Oprah apologized, saying, “I should have said to the audience, ‘That isn’t funny.’ I apologize to you and every woman who has ever been in that situation.” Even though Mike sometimes made light of the abuse, Robin chose to move forward and help others. She became a spokesperson for the National Domestic Violence Hotline, sharing her story and supporting other survivors. “It’s hard to get over. In the darkness, it grows. Speaking about it makes you feel lighter. My story is their story; their story is mine.” Despite facing criticism for moving on with Brad, for speaking out, and even for not claiming the money she was entitled to, Robin showed incredible strength by leaving her abusive relationship with Mike. “The best thing you can do, and it shows a lot of strength, is leaving.
