Who is Mike Tyson’s wife? All about Lakiha Spicer

Mike Tyson often credits his wife, Lakiha “Kiki” Spicer, with helping turn his life around.

Tyson cemented his legacy as one of the greatest heavyweight boxing champions of all time, earning the nickname “Iron Mike”. But one rape convictionallegations of abuse and struggles with substance abuse have plagued the controversial boxer’s career.

When Tyson and Spicer married in June 2009, the athlete was in the middle of a three years’ probation after he was arrested and pleaded guilty to one count of felony possession of cocaine and misdemeanor DUI.

While Spicer dealt with her own legal troubles — she served six months in federal prison on fraud charges, according to New York Post — she and Tyson were trying to navigate their relationship. He eventually proposed to Spicer, who has positively influenced him ever since.

“I’m very happy that me and my wife got together,” he told the newspaper. “Because I don’t know how I would have survived out there.”

Today, she continues to be by Tyson’s side as he prepares to fight Jake Paul on November 15, which will be streamed live on Netflix.

So who is Mike Tyson’s wife? Here’s everything to know about Lakiha Spicer and her relationship with the boxing star.

They met for a boxing match

In 2012, Spicer described his relationship with Tyson to New York Post as “as a moth to a flame.”

They met when an 18-year-old Spicer attended a boxing match with his father and eventually began dating five years later, according to the newspaper.

“I could never really get him out of my system,” she told the newspaper. “I’d try and then we’d get back together. He’s the only person I’ve ever been able to fall in love with more than once.”

She is a mother of two

Tyson and Spicer welcomed their first child together, daughter Milan, on December 15, 2008. The couple expanded their family with the arrival of their son, Morocco, on January 25, 2011.

“He is such a sweet and calm baby. Mike and Kiki are overwhelmed with joy to welcome their son to the Tyson family,” Tyson’s rep told PEOPLE about the birth of their second child.

Milan is already starting to show the same athletic chops as his father, albeit in a different sport. The teenager is an avid tennis player who counts Serena Williams and Novak Djokovic among her favorite players. Although it’s a different world for Tyson, he enjoys traveling with Spicer to see their daughter in action.

“My wife and I both never in a hundred years expected that we would be tennis parents and travel around the state,” Tyson said in an interview with USA today in 2016. “It’s fantastic. I’m just happy to be here.”

He continued: “She showed talent for tennis and I’m just rooting for her. I’m really lost, but this is exciting.”

According to The intelligence officerMilan is now training with an elite coach in France. Meanwhile, Morocco enjoys running and golfing in Florida.

She and Tyson married in 2009

Tyson and Spicer married on June 6, 2009, according to New York Times.

The couple allegedly married at La Bella Wedding Chapel at the Las Vegas Hilton, where they exchanged vows in a private ceremony.

Tyson and Spucer later allegedly renewed their vows in June 2011 at an event that guests initially thought was a joint birthday party for the duo.

“My wife and I are getting ready to host friends and family tonight,” Tyson published on X (formerly known as Twitter) hours before the surprise renewal. “Many we haven’t seen for years. It’s going to be a great night.”

Spicer was convicted in a fraud case

In the early 2000s, Spicer and her family were accused of participating in a scam involving publicly funded college classes that did not exist.

According to Philadelphia Inquirerfederal prosecutors discovered that Spicer’s stepfather, Shamsud-din Ali, and mother, Faridah Ali, took money for personal use intended to pay for college tuition. The outlet reported that Spicer and her brother, Azheem Spicer, were paid by their parents to teach the fake courses.

After Spicer, Faridah and Azheem were convicted in October 2004, prosecutors appealed their sentences of house arrest and probation. A few years later, Azheem was outraged to four years’ probation, among other requirements, in November 2007.

Meanwhile, Spicer was sentenced to six months in prison and Faridah was sentenced to up to a year in prison. (The intelligence officer reported that Spicer was pregnant with her first child with Tyson when she went to prison.)

In addition, Shamsud-din was convicted in a federal racketeering case and was sentenced to seven years in federal prison, which he began to serve in 2007.

She helped write a play about Tyson’s life

Tyson brought his life to the stage in a one-man play titled Mike Tyson: Undisputed Truth in 2012. Spicer and screenwriter Randy Johnson co-wrote the screenplay according to The Guardian. When Tyson performed, Spicer conducted him through an ear cochlear, per The intelligence officer.

Brooklyn-born Tyson’s story at last came to Broadwaythis time directed by Oscar winner Spike Lee. He later became involved in The HBO special likewise.

She thinks Tyson’s face tattoo is ‘sexy’

While Tyson has long credited Spicer with helping him overcome challenges in his life, she has also supported a polarizing decision in the boxer’s life: his face tattoo.

The tribal design is said to be inspired by Maori culture and is etched along the left side of his face.

Spicer considers the prominent tattoo a savvy move by her husband. “It’s sexy,” she shared on Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel in 2013.

Spicer explained that the unique art made him stand out. “I think it was a brilliant marketing move because now it doesn’t make a difference where he is in the world,” she said. “No one will ever say, ‘I think that’s Mike Tyson’ (or) ‘that guy looks. like him.’ No. It’s Mike Tyson, that was smart.”

Today, Tyson and Spicer have collaborated on several ventures, including a clothing line and a boxing glove brand, among other ventures per The intelligence officer.

She doesn’t think Tyson needs to fight Paul

speaks to Sports Bible ahead of his fight with Paul, Tyson shared insight into his decision to stream the event on Netflix at no additional cost to subscribers. In the process, the athlete revealed Spicer’s perspective on the matter.

“This fight is not going to change my life financially. If I did it for free, it’s not going to change my life,” he told the magazine. “My wife keeps telling me you don’t have to do this fight. That’s what I want to do, that’s me, I’m seeking my glory.”

Spicer shared his thoughts with The intelligence officerthat reveals that Tyson’s training for the boxing match has been immersive. According to the publication, she looks forward to bringing the focus back to their family once it’s finished.

“After that we can be more of a unit,” she said.