Mike Tyson’s Biggest Lawsuit Involved Another Mike Suing for $115 Million
Legendary fighter Mike Tyson dealt with many legal issues during his boxing career — and well after it. Once, he even had a $115 million lawsuit filed against him by retired boxer Mike Landrum, who was contesting the use of the famed “Iron Mike” nickname.
Mike Tyson’s boxing legacy
Mike Tyson quickly rose to stardom in the squared circle, becoming a crowd favorite quite early in his career.
He began breezing through opponents, earning first-round knockouts in 12 of his first 16 professional fights. His success continued into his early 20s as he became the WBA, WBC, IBF, The Ring, and lineal heavyweight champion. Tyson was the first heavyweight boxer to hold each of those belts simultaneously and the only fighter in his class to unify them.
While going undefeated in his first 37 fights, he beat Larry Holmes, Michael Spinks, and Trevor Berbick. Tyson suffered a disappointing upset loss to Buster Douglas, but he bounced back by winning his next eight fights.
Although he lost most of his prime to a six-year prison sentence, he still put together an impressive run in the ring. His intense and intimidating boxing style earned him nicknames such as “Iron Mike” and “The Baddest Man on the Planet.”
Mike Tyson involved in $115 million lawsuit
Though he dabbled with the idea of a comeback in his 50s, Mike Tyson stepped away from professional boxing after his loss to Kevin McBride in 2002. Retired boxer Mike Landrum sued him for $115 million eight years later, claiming Tyson stole his “Iron Mike” nickname more than two decades prior, per TMZ.
Landrum claimed he first used that moniker before he began his own boxing career in 1983. Meanwhile, Tyson didn’t start fighting professionally until 1985, and Landrum believed the use of that nickname “hindered [him] from getting any major title fights or sponsorships because of the name confusion.”
The impetus for the lawsuit was the nickname’s use in the Spike TV series titled “Knockout Sportsworld.”
However, the lawsuit didn’t go very far in the court system. It was dismissed due to a lack of merit and timeliness, never requiring a jury.
Mike Landrum sued Mike Tyson again for $55 million
Although Landrum’s first case didn’t succeed, he tried again.
Seven years later, in June 2017, he filed a lawsuit for $55 million in damages and the cessation of using the nickname in anything boxing-related or any other venture. The decreased value of the second lawsuit was due to a perceived drop in value.
Like the previous case, the second attempt didn’t go far in the legal system.
