Mike Tyson Once Offered $10,000 to Fight a Gorilla Bullying Other Primates—But His Offer Was Declined

Mike Tyson is well-known for his daring spirit both in and out of the boxing ring, but one of his lesser-known and surprising stories involves an unusual proposal: offering $10,000 to fight a gorilla. According to Tyson, this happened during a private zoo visit in the 1980s when he witnessed a gorilla aggressively asserting dominance over other primates.

The Story Behind the Offer

As the story goes, Tyson, always drawn to animals and fascinated by their strength, saw a gorilla bullying smaller primates and felt compelled to intervene. Feeling empathy for the animals, he reportedly offered the zookeeper $10,000 to allow him to enter the enclosure and confront the gorilla. The zookeeper, unsurprisingly, turned him down, explaining the obvious risks and refusing to let Tyson put himself in such a dangerous situation.

Tyson’s Fascination with Animals

Tyson’s love for animals is well-documented. Beyond his boxing career, he’s known for keeping a collection of exotic pets, including Bengal tigers. This adventurous streak often leads him into unconventional situations, but challenging a gorilla remains one of his boldest ideas.

A Wild What-If

While the incident never went further, Tyson’s offer remains a bizarre and fascinating anecdote. Had he actually entered the enclosure, it’s almost certain it would have been a dangerous encounter. With a gorilla’s immense strength and instinct to defend territory, even a fighter like Tyson would have been at a clear disadvantage.

Today, this story stands as a testament to Mike Tyson’s fearless personality—and as a reminder of his fondness for animals, however unconventional his approach might be!