Taming the Beast: The Untold Story of Mike Tyson

by Rory Holloway

Mike Tyson is a cultural heavyweight boxing champion, author, movie actor, Broadway star, tiger owner, felon, tabloid gossip mainstay. His memoir, Undisputed Truth, was a New York Times bestseller. While no one is disputing the truth he tells in his book, it is clear that he has not told the entire story. That task goes to his one-time best friend, entourage wrangler, and manager, Rory Holloway, in Taming the The Untold Story of Mike Tyson (written with Eric Wilson), Holloway’s memoir of his fifteen years with Tyson. The Beast is, no surprise, Tyson himself. When it came to getting the Champ ready to enter the ring, from his training to deal-making to extricating him from problems and relationships with individuals such as Robin Givens and her gold-digging mother, promoter Don King and everyone else under the sun, that job fell to Rory Holloway. Holloway met Tyson in 1982, when the future champ was sixteen and living in a juvenile detention home in upstate New York. Tyson soon was living in Holloway’s family Albany home. Holloway and Tyson became best friends―brothers, you could say―even before Tyson began a climb that would take him to the pinnacle of the sports and entertainment worlds. Holloway believed in Mike and would do anything for him. But rather than lock up Tyson to keep him out of harm’s way, Holloway climbed right into the cage and closed the door behind him. In Taming the Beast, Holloway comes clean on all things Tyson, from Mike’s sex addiction, to his comically horrible driving, to his wild man approach to life. He breaks down the entourage―who was good for the Champ, who wasn’t―and deals with the criticism he faced as Tyson spun more and more out of control. When Tyson spit out Evander Holyfield’s ear in 1997, he also spit out his longtime friendship with Holloway. Compassionate, hilarious, and terribly sad, Taming the Beast is the story of a man so out of touch with reality that he ultimately distances himself from the only people who have his best interests at heart, severing the brotherhood that once existed in favor of yes-men who could supply him with the best drugs and the most hookers. It is a devastating story of watching, helpless, from a ringside seat as your best friend self-destructs and you cannot do a damn thing about it. Painfully frank, street-wise, and cathartic, Taming the Beast pulls no punches with its question-and-answer style. It is the book every Tyson fan needs on his nightstand for the undisputed whole truth.

354 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2014

Reviews

[Sun of Kelesi · Rating 3 out of 5]

An unorthodox way of looking at the life and career of Mike Tyson. Eric Wilson does great job explaining how Tyson achieved so much fame, fortune, and tragedy. He also uses excellent quotes and analogies to get his point across.

[Josh Olds · Rating 1 out of 5]

Eric Wilson has had a roller coaster of a writing career. His debut novel came 20 years ago with Dark to Mortal Eyes and he proceeded to publish a novel a year for seven years. In 2007-08, he wrote a trilogy of novelizations based on Kendrick Brothers movies, the last of which, Fireproof, would hit the NYT bestseller’s list. But after 2010, Wilson’s career faltered. He published two books in a trilogy only to see the third get cancelled. He self-published a couple of shorter novels that were way different in genre than his earlier works. And then, for almost ten years that was basically it. There were some cancelled projects, a novelization in 2018. But until 2021 when his career saw a resurgence within the memoir/biography sphere, there was nothing. Except this: Taming the Beast: The Untold Story of Mike Tyson.

Billed as a no-holds-barred, R-rated memoir of Tyson’s former handler, Rory Holloway, Taming the Beast is the untold story of one of the people behind the scenes of Tyson’s meteoric rise and fall. I don’t really know how to categorize this book. According to the introduction, Wilson provided co-authorship and research, but its unclear how much say he actually had in the book’s final product.

Holloway obviously has an agenda. In a one-page introduction titled “The Leech,” Holloway writes that sportswriters described him as “the ‘leech,’ the ‘idiot manager,’ the ‘thug who stole Mike’s riches.’” Taming the Beast is a story of vindication and a story of a man who desperately wants the spotlight and the wealth he used to have. It’s a hagiography told mostly in the form of informal interviews that show very little evidence of editing. It’s a verbal mess that fails to tell a coherent narrative. Wilson’s transitions read like a stoic voiceover narrator trying to set the scene before Holloway comes in completely derails the whole thing.

What the book feels like is that Wilson did a series of interviews with Holloway and then just published those verbatim. This might have worked if Holloway was able to tell a consistent and engaging narrative, but he doesn’t. This is just a mess of a manuscript never pulled together in any coherent or cohesive fashion. It’s nearly impossible to read.

I know Eric’s skill. It’s evident in his other books that have followed this style—particularly What Are You Going to Do? (a memoir of Compassion International’s Everett Swanson) and Confession of a Former Prosecutor (a memoir of Preston Shipp). But this one is just not good. I get the feeling that Eric was really limited in how his voice could come through. And the result is. Well. This. I’m keeping the book, but that’s only so I can say that I have every Eric Wilson book published.

[John Nell · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting read which has an organic feel to it. Holloway's story has the tone of a person qualified to speak on the infamous life and times of the great Iron Mike Tyson, but I have to question his motives for writing the book. Tyson has been very transparent and forthcoming of his pitfalls and bad habits, so I wonder why holloway feels the need to double back and speak on the same things from his point of view. Life as mikes manager had to be very trying and he deserves his respect for helping secure the biggest contract in boxing history with showtime at the time but I would've rather read a story explaining business moves and secrets based on his experience with a couple chapters dedicated to his time with mike as opposed to what the book offered. Honestly it comes off as a jaded lover wanting to expose what had already been exposed. All though i do enjoy the question and answer style of the book it is obvious through the authors tone he has a negative opinion of Tyson and he let his biasness bleed over into the pages.

[Sibila Vargas · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well written book by Eric Wilson that gives a good tale of the life of Mike Tyson and his former manager Rory Holloway. I used he word tale because at points I do question if this is jst not a eye witness' view point of a situation that he might not had fully understood at the time bieng that he was not using the same drugs as Tyson was.It does give readers an insight into his Tyson's career after he was convicted for rape. Definitely a page turner and the best biography I have read this year.

[Michael Keiser · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tyson has always been open about things that he has done in his life and for some reason allow people to pass judgement. It was weird to have it done by a 3rd party witness to all the events but it did give it a very interesting perspective. It is unique to have someone as crazy as Tyson to have had such a respectful family man as Holloway in his corner.

Holloway and author Eric Wilson have an intriguing new perspective on the life and times of Iron Mike Tyson rise and tragic fall so pick this 1 up, it's worth the time.

[William H · Rating 5 out of 5]

excellent book! I just finished my advanced review copy and I understand some changes will be made to this book final version but I love it the way it is. Raw, uncut, and at times very descriptive and figurative according to the story being told by Rory Holloway. The author has great writing skills and it shines from the first page to the last. The celeb stories were real cool. And I like the parts about Rory. Coming from the boxing world I always thought Rory was an a-hole that cost Tyson more than he earned him... but man was I wrong! EXCELLENT BOOK!

[Andre Pierre · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent portrayal of the bizarre life on iron Mike Tyson! I have met both Tyson and Rory Holloway and I think both have great personalities that make you pay attention to what they say. So when they split many people (including myself) always wanted to know why.

Eric Wilson did a great job and I saw him in one of the photos up-state New York in the 90's with Team Tyson so its no wonder he was able to pull of such an epic sports chronicle. Well done!

[Sheeba Edwards · Rating 3 out of 5]

GOOD read! maybe not a great one... but definitely a new (and interesting) direction for author Eric Wilson. At times I feel the story becomes a little too confusing between the lives of Tyson and his manager Rory... but I also think maybe it was done this way to inspire people to read it a 2nd time. I don't know if I will do that but it is a must have for any die hard Tyson fans, boxing fans,or sports book collectors.

[Vivian Ruiz · Rating 3 out of 5]

For boxing aficionados it would seem this new release about Team Tyson includes everything that has ever been written, depicted or in any way recorded about Mike Tyson. Wilson's book feels as if you are reading dozens of inspired essays... Most penetrating, sparky, and intelligent; and when you get to the final page you will find out that you have not only been entertained but also enlightened.

A literary knockout that I definitely recommend!

[Peter Hosel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review from my dad who I gave this book to as a gift... he just emailed me this so I can send to the author... I said I'll try to Pops.


"Wow Rory. This is a page turner. I knew very little of this information and you present it in a way that works so well for me. Half way through. I'm alternating from laughing out loud, to having my mouth drop open in shock. I originally thought calling him a beast was over the top but no longer. Enjoying this immensely."

[Jose Lito · Rating 3 out of 5]

Many books on fighters give a very limited and one-sided view but after reading this you feel that you know more about Mike Tyson than what the other books are offering. He has been very open about things that he has done in his life and allowed the reader to cast judgement... adding Holloway's perspective was genius. Aside from concentrating on his fight career that we all know about he gives a fascinating insight into his private life before, during and after Tyson's fame and fortune.

[Danny W. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just finished reading my advance review copy, and I understand that there may be a few more final edits so I will be fair with my review. Overall excellent book... however, I feel some parts can be trimmed down just a bit, coming from a sports fan. Not a huge boxing fan but Mike Tyson is top 3 boxers of all time despite the record he ended up having. The author did a super job, a very excellent project, a lot better than expected!

[Cinderella Man · Rating 3 out of 5]

On the whole I found this book to be a little disappointing at times. I was looking forward to reading about what made iron Mike tick, his training secrets, boxing techniques, etc... This book is more about his lifestyle and downfall which was also cool... but I was just hoping for some tips on how to become the greatest boxer in the world.

[Coach Carter · Rating 5 out of 5]

We can finally get the true story from somebody who was actually really there and on the inside. Everything else we have heard, read, or saw about this legendary, history making group of men has been from Monday morning quarterbacks who only heard the story, not actually knew it, or lived it. I read it in 2 days. The only reason it took that long was I had to sleep and eat!

[Webster Luccin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just saw the Mike Tyson craziest moments video and won a free advanced copy of this book. Just started yesterday and although the 1st chapter is boring and confusing... the book is a RARE GEM that is probably the best story and format ever told about Mike Tyson's wild and crazy career. Up to Chapter 5 now... I will write a more complete review soon.

[Van · Rating 5 out of 5]

A masterpiece!! Filled with tragedy on one page, and laugh out loud comedy on the next. Tyson was vulgar and foul-mouthed, addicted to narcotics, violent to the paparazzi, and somehow the entire world still seems to love him and want more. this book is great example because the more you know the more you can appreciate him and his manager Rory Holloway.

[Samuel Holmes · Rating 4 out of 5]

An inspiring biography about an amazing human being and champion. Despite the negatives and controversy. I don't read that much and i will usually start to read a book then forget about it for ages then have to start all over again, but i just could not put this book down, i read it in 5 day's.

[Kelly Holmes · Rating 2 out of 5]

Reading it now but much of the book so far is taken up with describing how much money was spent, women Tyson bedded, and zoo life environment. To me Tyson just comes across as an overgrown child with plenty of money to ruin his life and many others. I will write a full review soon.

[James Pro · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mike Tyson was 1 of the greatest boxers ever and a personal favorite of mine during the Nineties. This book is a good read! I'm not finish the copy I got but it may end up being a 4 star book by the time I finish.

[Ray Dole · Rating 2 out of 5]

I honestly did not like it. It was ok.. nothing wrong with the book... I just felt it could have been better. I'm a huge Tyson fan tho and I did learn a few things I have never heard before.

[Elton Brands · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book so far.. almost done and will write a better review.

[Ted Talks · Rating 4 out of 5]

great book so far.. almost done! wow this is a lot better than undisputed truth by Mike Tyson. Same story just a whole lot different approach. This is a well written and more orthodox approach.