Watch Fallen Champ: The Untold Story Of Mike Tyson

Fallen Champ: The Untold Story Of Mike Tyson is a 1993 documentary film that delves into the life of American professional boxer Mike Tyson, chronicling his rise to fame, fall from grace and eventual redemption. The documentary is directed by Barbara Kopple and presents an intimate look at the boxer, his struggles, and the impact his story had on sports and pop culture.

The film begins with a young Mike Tyson’s turbulent upbringing in the Brownsville section of Brooklyn, New York. Tyson talks about his experiences growing up, and how his mother’s reliance on welfare meant that they were constantly on the move, which led to him getting into trouble constantly. The documentary sets up the early part of Tyson’s life as a search for belonging, which led him to the sport of boxing. Tyson talks in vivid detail about his early training and experiences, recalling how his coach Cus D’Amato took him under his wing and taught him not only how to box but also what it meant to be a good person.

As Tyson’s career takes off, the film paints a vivid picture of the boxer as someone who was in many ways a victim of his own success. His meteoric rise was accompanied by significant personal struggles, including the death of his coach and father figure Cus D’Amato, the dissolution of his marriage to Robin Givens, and his eventual conviction for rape.

The documentary spends a significant amount of time exploring Tyson’s 1991 trial for the rape of 18-year-old Desiree Washington, and the ensuing media circus that followed. It presents an unflinching account of the events leading up to the trial, including interviews with Tyson and with Washington herself, as well as various journalists and legal experts.

Throughout the film, Tyson speaks candidly about his struggles, including his battle with drug addiction, his rocky relationship with his trainers, and the personal demons that led him to commit the acts that landed him in prison. The documentary also features interviews with his longtime trainer Kevin Rooney, who provides unique insight into Tyson’s rise to fame and eventual fall. Rooney speaks thoughtfully about his relationship with Tyson and his eventual firing as Tyson’s trainer, which he blames on Tyson’s burgeoning drug addiction.

The film also touches on Tyson’s eventual path to redemption, including his conversion to Islam and his efforts to turn his life around through counseling and therapy. This part of the documentary is particularly poignant, as it highlights Tyson’s journey towards self-acceptance, and the ways in which he has come to terms with his past mistakes.

Overall, Fallen Champ: The Untold Story of Mike Tyson is a powerful documentary that sheds light on the complex life and career of one of the most enigmatic figures in professional sports. It tackles difficult subject matter with sensitivity and nuance, providing a poignant and unflinching portrait of a fallen hero trying to reclaim his legacy. Fans of boxing and of Tyson himself will find much to appreciate in this intimate and insightful documentary.