The boxer recalls he first met the actor while he was divorcing his first wife.

Mike Tyson, one of the most iconic figures in sports history, has a life story packed with larger-than-life moments that often sound stranger than fiction. His recent fight with Jake Paul has reignited interest in the boxer-turned-pop-culture-icon. Among the myriad tales surrounding Tyson, one involving actor Brad Pitt and Tyson’s first wife, Robin Givens, stands out as both incredible and unforgettable.

The setup: Tyson, Givens, and a young Brad Pitt

The incident happened in 1988, long before Brad Pitt became a global superstar with 1991’s Thelma & Louise. At just 25 years old, Pitt had an awkward brush with Tyson during a particularly tumultuous time in the boxer’s life.

Tyson, then at the peak of his fame, was in the middle of a messy divorce from actress Robin Givens. During this period, Givens had begun seeing Pitt. Tyson, unaware of their connection, decided to drop by her house unannounced.

“He begged me not to hit him”

Tyson recounted the story in an interview on The Real, saying, “I was supposed to go to my lawyer’s office, but I decided to stop by Robin’s place for a quickie. What can I say? I was young, and I missed her.”

When Tyson arrived, he found the house empty and was about to leave. However, as he headed back to his car, Givens drove up—with Brad Pitt sitting in the passenger seat.

Tyson described Pitt’s reaction: “He must have been drunk or something because he was begging me not to hit him. He kept saying they were just running lines for a script.”

No punches thrown, but emotions ran high

Thankfully the encounter ended without violence. Tyson, reflecting on his emotional state at the time, admitted he didn’t have the energy to lash out: “I was in an emotional coma. Someone had taken my heart and crushed it. I was overwhelmed and didn’t have the energy to fight or do anything.” Years later, Tyson joked about the incident, saying, “If there had been any beef, Brad Pitt wouldn’t be alive today.”