The tattooPremium cottonWhiteS to 4XL
The essentials: Tyson's facial tattoo dates from 2003. Tattooist Victor Whitmill drew on Maori motifs, and Tyson had originally asked for something far more confrontational — it was the artist who steered him towards this shape. This tee shows it in close-up, TYSON set vertically. Premium cotton 180 gsm, white, crew neck, heat transfer print. 7 sizes S to 4XL, €29, free shipping.
The one tee in the range that shows not the 1980s fighter but the man who came after.
The 2003 tattoo
Tyson had his face tattooed in 2003, at thirty-six, with his career winding down and bankruptcy just declared. The design covers the left side: a spiral and black curves following the cheekbone and the brow.
The tattooist, Victor Whitmill, drew on tā moko, the Maori facial tattoos of New Zealand. Tyson had first asked for something markedly more aggressive; Whitmill steered him towards this composition.
The design became one of the most recognisable tattoos in the world — recognisable enough to become the subject of a lawsuit in 2011, when it was reproduced on an actor's face in a film.
What it looks like on
The artwork sits on the left side of the chest, in a vertical composition running from the upper chest down towards the waist.
Tyson's face appears three-quarters on, in black and white, head shaved, mouth slightly open. The treatment is cut out and faded: the edges dissolve into grain towards the bottom, with the white of the fabric gradually taking over. The tattoo is the highest-contrast part of the image — it is what you read first.
To the left, TYSON in very large capitals set vertically, read from the bottom up, with MIKE small to their right.
It is the only model in the family on a white ground and the only off-centre one: the artwork sits to one side rather than in the middle of the chest.
Premium cotton in white, crew neck, short sleeves, straight cut. Plain back.
Your size
European cut — take your usual size, with no adjustment. Seven sizes, S to 4XL, all at the same price. Chest runs from about 96 cm / 38 in on a S to 132 cm / 52 in on a 4XL.
Technical specification
Technical specifications
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Frequently asked questions
When did Mike Tyson get his face tattooed?
In 2003, at thirty-six, with his career winding down and bankruptcy just declared. The design covers the left side of his face.
What does Mike Tyson's tattoo mean?
It is drawn from tā moko, the Maori facial tattoos of New Zealand: a spiral and black curves that follow the cheekbone and the brow. It was designed by tattooist Victor Whitmill.
Who designed Mike Tyson's tattoo?
Victor Whitmill. Tyson first asked for something markedly more aggressive; the artist steered him towards this Maori-inspired composition. The design was the subject of a lawsuit in 2011 after it was reproduced in a film.
Does it come in big sizes?
Yes, up to 4XL: S, M, L, XL, XXL, XXXL and 4XL, all at the same price. Most boxing tees on the market stop at XXL.
How is the t-shirt printed?
By heat transfer onto a PET film, a different process from direct digital printing. It reproduces the grain fade that dissolves the edges of the face, and stands up to wear without fading easily in the wash. Wash at 30 °C / 86 °F inside out, with whites.
Which size should I take?
Standard European cut: take your usual size. Chest runs from about 96 cm / 38 in on a S to 132 cm / 52 in on a 4XL.
