Nairobi News

Oscar-winning actor Jamie Foxx has confirmed that he will play Mike Tyson in an upcoming biopic about the boxing legend’s life of the former heavyweight boxer.

The actor and singer has had plans for the project since 2014 but after a six-year hiatus, there had been some doubts about whether it would be made.

In an Instagram Live series “Catching Up with Mark Birnbaum,” Foxx, 52, spoke about taking on the role and showed off the insane body transformation he had undergone in preparation.

“It’s a definitive yes,” Foxx said. “Doing biographies is a tough thing. Sometimes it takes 20 years to get them done, but we officially got the real ball rolling.”

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The greatest of our generation for the hour Jamie Foxx

A post shared by Mark Birnbaum (@markbirnbaum) on Jun 17, 2020 at 4:30pm PDT

Foxx has started an intense training regime to try and acquire Tyson’s physique.

“Doing biographies is a tough thing. Sometimes it takes 20 years to get it done but we officially got the real ball rolling,” he said. “I can’t wait to show people what it is.”

To prepare for the role, Foxx must complete a vigorous workout comprised of 60 pull-ups, 60 dips, and 100 push-ups every day to push his weight to 216 pounds and increase to 230 pounds at filming.

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The transformation begins… “FINDING MIKE”. It is no secret that I have been pursuing the @miketyson biopic for some time… people always ask me when is it going to happen?… things have finally lined up… A few months ago we started the journey… The first but biggest task is to transform the body… with a regiment of pull-ups dips and push-ups we are off to a pretty good start… we have a ways to go but God willing… yesterday on my good friends @markbirnbaum show. I shared these early pics of the process… like I said we have a ways to go… But I am prepared to get there! #swipeleft TYSON!

A post shared by Jamie Foxx (@iamjamiefoxx) on Jun 19, 2020 at 4:00am PDT

In the interview, Foxx said that he first met Tyson after performing standup comedy when he was 22.

During his set, he told a joke about the boxer in the audience and was approached by the champion after the show.

“I saw him at the height of his career, and then when things got bad and bumpy I also saw him as well. So what I’m excited about the movie is to show those moments,” he said when discussing the focus of the film. “I think everyone, young and old, will be able to understand this man’s journey.”

The undisputed world champion at the height of his career was jailed after being convicted of rape in 1992, filed for bankruptcy in 2003, and pleaded guilty to possession of cocaine and driving under the influence in 2007 before getting his life back on track and becoming a prominent celebrity figure today.