One of the most controversial yet influential figures in the history of boxing, Mike Tyson has recently made a grand return to the boxing ring after almost 4 years. However, aside from the intense match against Jake Paul, Tyson’s particular habit from this match has garnered significant attention from fans: biting his thumb most of the time. While Tyson might have dismissed it claiming it as a random quirk, anime fans, or more specifically fans of Hajime no Ippo can’t.
This random habit of Mike Tyson connects him with the classic boxing-themed manga series by George Morikawa: Hajime no Ippo. Further strengthening Tyson’s legacy, it also showcases how real-life sports icons can inspire fictional characters and techniques.
The Tyson-Paul Fight: A Quirk Born of Experience
Streamed on November 15, the fierce match between Mike Tyson and Jake Paul has recently broken the internet. Being out of the boxing ring for many years, Tyson was seen struggling quite a bit against Jake Paul, who is still in his top-most form. However, more than the outcome of the match itself, the thing that caught the attention of anime fans was Tyson’s recurring habit of biting his thumb.
When asked about this curious behavior in a post-match interview, Mike Tyson quickly dismissed claiming that there isn’t any deeper meaning behind this since he has a “biting fixation”. However, fans of Hajime no Ippo can’t simply overlook this unique habit as they quickly pointed out that Tyson’s biting fixation was explained over two decades ago in the anime Hajime no Ippo.
In episode 12 of Hajime no Ippo, protagonist Ippo Makunouchi was shown biting his gloves during training; a habit noticed by sports journalist Fujii. Fujii immediately recognizes it as part of the Peek-a-boo style used by none other than Mike Tyson.
The anime provided a detailed explanation of how this technique helps a boxer maintain their defensive stance while advancing against opponents, improving both defense and counterattack opportunities. Fans of the anime were quick to draw parallels between Ippo and Tyson during the latter’s fight with Jake Paul, where Tyson instinctively relied on this technique to close the distance and protect himself against Paul’s height advantage.
Mike Tyson’s Influence on Hajime no Ippo
Mike Tyson’s legacy extends beyond the ring and into the world of fiction. George Morikawa, the creator of Hajime no Ippo, has openly cited Mike Tyson as a major inspiration for the series, particularly for Ippo’s ideation. Tyson’s story of rising from a bullied child to the youngest world heavyweight champion in history was a key influence on the character of Ippo Makunouchi.
In the first chapter of Hajime no Ippo manga, Ippo was saved from bullies by professional boxer Mamoru Takamura, who then motivated him by sharing Tyson’s journey. Although this scene was omitted from the anime adaptation, it established Tyson as a symbolic figure in the series. Takamura even lent Ippo videotapes of Tyson’s greatest knockouts, sparking the protagonist’s dream of becoming a professional boxer.
Thus, it’s clear that Mike Tyson’s thumb-biting habit; whether a subconscious reflex or a strategic move, is more than a quirky trait. Through Hajime no Ippo, this iconic technique has been immortalized in anime, further securing Tyson’s status as a global icon. The parallels between them highlight how real-life struggles and victories can inspire fictional heroes.
Hajime no Ippo is currently available to watch and read on Netflix and Kodansha, respectively.
