At the age of 20, Mike Tyson became the youngest boxer ever to win the World Boxing Council, World Boxing Association, and International Boxing Federation heavyweight titles. The boxing champion purchased a sprawling mansion in Southington, Ohio, during the late 80s and 90s.
However, after going through a rough patch in his career and personal life, Tyson was forced to put the mansion, which included a basketball court and tiger cages, up for sale for a sum of $1.3 million.
Tyson’s mansion saw several owners
Since the sale went through, Tyson’s home has had several owners. Finally, in December 2014, the mansion was purchased by Living Word Sanctuary for around $750,000, with plans to renovate the property into a church. Before the recent revamp, Tyson’s former home was left abandoned for years.
The mansion was built back in 1979 and was purchased by the star boxer just ten years later for only $300,000 in a sheriff’s sale after it was seized by the bank. Tyson was known once to keep four tigers surrounded by a high chain-link fence on the property. He allegedly enjoyed spending time in a room that was 10,000 square feet wide with a huge swimming pool.
Footage that was taken in 2018 by a visitor showed that the formerly plush mansion had fallen into a state of disrepair.
Living Word church acquires former boxer’s property
Once the church acquired the property, Living Word Pastor Nicholas DeJacimo said, “The property had been untouched for ten years. You had so much grass you could have sold it for hay. Us getting this is a miracle. We had to pay the real estate and back taxes. So for $50,000 we acquired the entire property. It was basically donated to us because the former owner needed to write it off. I tell the congregation God literally gave us this.”
DeJacimo stated that the indoor swimming pool that’s a part of the property was being converted into a sanctuary, while the great room would be used to officiate weddings and other ceremonies. The living quarters that are located on the second floor will be turned into offices. The fireplace, where the former boxer allegedly kept his championship belts, will remain as it is. The bedrooms are expected to be turned into classrooms, while the garage will become a nursery. The infamous tiger cages are expected to be turned into an outdoor pavilion.