By TeeJay Small | Published
Former world heavyweight champion Mike Tyson has earned a reputation as a true killer in the ring, thanks to decades of hard work, training, and total dedication to fighting at the highest level. Given how dangerous Tyson can be, it's hard to imagine anyone finding fear in his heart. So, it might come as a bit of a shock to learn that Mike Tyson was once interviewed by a notorious serial killer, prompting a full SWAT raid on his boxing gym.
Meeting
According to the Atlanta Black Star, the communication between Mike Tyson and the killer happened in the summer of 2006, a few weeks before the killer was caught by the authorities. Apparently the man, whose name was Dale Hausner, was working as a boxing reporter at the time interviewing talent at a gym in Phoenix, Arizona. Hausner had the opportunity to sit down with Iron Mike while he was in the middle of training for his October 2006 exhibition match against journeyman boxer Corey Sanders.
Days after Tyson's brief interview with Hausner, federal investigators and SWAT personnel surrounded the Phoenix gym, leaving the fighter to wonder if he had made a mistake. Before the authorities explained to Mike Tyson that he was among the known killer a few days ago, they showed him a photo of the interview, and asked if Tyson recognized the man.
Not understanding that he is not the one facing the legal problem, Tyson jokingly replied, “Well sir, I don't know, I was inciting a fight, if I should have said something to him, if I offended him, I will be sorry. I didn't mean to do that.”
Cases
It was then that the police filled Mike Tyson in on the situation, asking if he could help lead them to the serial killer and his friend, Samuel Dieteman. Apparently, Tyson was surprised to learn that this small but kind man he had met a few days earlier was under federal investigation for shooting nearly 30 people, killing 8, and committing a number of other heinous crimes.
The boxer had no useful information to share with the police, although he was able to find Hausner and Dieteman days later at their apartment in Mesa, Arizona, and put them both in jail.
Eventually, it was discovered that the two were driving around the streets of the greater Phoenix area, high on methamphetamine, shooting people and animals at random with intent to kill. They also burned several stores in the area, including two Glendale Wal-Mart stores, causing up to $10 million in damage. While Mike Tyson has had his fair share of legal issues over the years, including a DUI in Arizona later that year, he must have been surprised to learn that he was dealing with a serial killer.
The Murderous Murderer is being interviewed
Mike Tyson spoke publicly about his experience with a serial killer when he appeared in 2017 Jimmy Kimmel Livewhere he joked about his response to the police and his surprise at the whole situation. While Jimmy Kimmel is usually wise and prepared with plenty of sarcastic responses, he also seemed surprised by the story, jokingly confirming “You interviewed a murderer?”
The boxer and the future Mike Tyson Mysteries the actor was lucky enough to be an important and protected media person at the time, since Hausner and Dieteman seemed to kill with reckless abandon. Mike Tyson was also lucky enough to be – you know – one of the strongest men and the biggest fighters on the planet at the time, making him a hard sell even for serial killers to take. At the end of the day, it shows that you can't be too careful.
Source: Atlanta Black Star
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