20 Life Lessons From Mike Tyson's Career

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Complex Original

Image via Complex Original

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Talk about a long, winding career. Mike Tyson has transformed himself from the baddest dude on the planet to an apporachable human being whose mere presence will no longer ruin your underpants. We've seen a major transformation in the once undisputed heavyweight champ. He went from one of America's roughest neighborhoods, to the youngest heavyweight champion of all-time, to multi-millionaire, to prison, back to boxing's biggest stage, back to prison, etc. There's a lot of range in that life, and the expanse of his travels no doubt contributed to his vast life experience.

Through all of his tumultuous experiences, he was doling out wisdom to his adoring fans as well as those he scared the crap out of; sometimes you just had to squint to see them. Some of these nuggets were obvious, whilst others were hidden in well-formed quotes like this one about the media: "I wish that you guys had children so I could kick them in the fucking head or stomp on their testicles so you could feel my pain because that's the pain I have waking up every day." Here are 20 Life Lessons From Mike Tyson's Career. Learn from his mistakes or, if you want, repeat them. Just know, good or bad, we can't guarantee a similar outcome.

RELATED: 25 Things You Didn't Know About Mike Tyson

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Learn to fight.

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Don't let anything—including gonorrhea—stop you from reaching your goals.

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Don't bite off more than you can chew.

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Put some money away.

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Don't be afraid to change your image.

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Think before you talk.

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If you say crazy things people will pay attention to you.

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Be confident.

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Don't do drugs.

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Or, do some drugs.

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Uh, don't do porn either.

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Get yourself a proper attorney.

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Tigers make great pets.

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If you're good at something, you can do what you want.

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If you plan on being successful don't ever get married.

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Abstain from sex before big events.

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Know when to hang 'em up.

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Don't take anything lightly.

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Watch who you associate with.

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Eventually, mellow the 'f' out.

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