Mike Tyson Goes From Boxer to Broadway

By Charlene Cooper | Jun 19, 2012 12:03 PM EDT

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Former boxer Mike Tyson has made a career change since his retirement from boxing. He announced Monday that he will join forces with top director Spike Lee, in hopes of being the next big thing on Broadway.

The two will team up to bring a live one-man show called "Mike Tyson: Undisputed Truth" to the Longacre Theatre from July 31 to August 5.

The show plans on featuring a tell all on the heavyweight champion's career and issues with the media. This will be the first time both Tyson and Lee have been featured on Broadway.

The show debuted in April at the Las Vegas MGM Grand for a week.

"I'm very vulnerable and I'm just telling you who I am and where I'm from and how this happened," Tyson said at a news conference at the Longacre.

Tyson, won the title of the youngest-ever heavyweight champion when he was only 20 years old. Following his victory he has been scrutinized for years by the media, due to allegations of rape, drug abuse, and domestic violence.

In the show Tyson talks about all of the ups and downs of his life, including his rocky marriage to actress Robin Givens, his addiction to cocaine, and even the time he spent in prison.

"It takes courage to get in the ring,  but it takes courage to get on the stage."

The boxer's inspiration for a one-man show came from viewing Chazz Palminteri's "A Bronx Tale."

Lee, who is responsible for directing hit movies such as "Do the Right Thing," "School Daze," and "Macolm X," describes Tyson's show saying, "It's a great story and he tells it masterfully."

Tyson's show is an addition to a stream of recent one-man shows on Broadway, alongside those performed by Kathy Griffin and William Shatner. Tyson's show tickets will range from $75 to $199, and VIP tickets  will sell for $300.

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