After the fight, Tyson and Shakur were on their way to Club 662 when they stopped at a red light in their BMW 750iL. A white Cadillac pulled up alongside them and fired multiple shots, hitting both Tyson and Shakur. Shakur was shot four times and died from his injuries six days later in hospital. Tyson survived with minor injuries.
The murder of Shakur has never been solved, but it remains one of the most infamous moments in hip-hop history. Tyson was devastated by the loss of his friend and continued to struggle with his own personal demons. He fought just once more before retiring from boxing in 2005.
Despite the tragedy, Tyson has always maintained a connection to the hip-hop world and remains a beloved figure in both sports and music. He has spoken openly about his regrets and his ongoing battle with addiction, and has become an advocate for mental health and wellness. His legacy is complex, but his impact on both boxing and pop culture is undeniable.
“You know how hurt I am right now?” Seldon said, speaking with the adrenaline of an individual who had not just had a fight but potentially even feared for his life. “I came to fight; I came to win. I did not realise how hard he hits or how fast he is. He is a destroyer, and I am witness to that. The shot rattled my eyes, and I couldn’t see straight. I did not train 12 weeks to come here and take a dive. I am already a millionaire. It’s not about money. I’m sorry. I tried my best. He is a great fighter. He is a bad man.”
“The first knockdown, I thought he missed the punch,” said Steele. “[But] the fighter seemed dazed and hurt, so I had to pick up the count.”
“Seldon was terrified,” Tyson’s trainer Jay Bright had said. “When he found out his jab wasn’t going to bother Mike he was scared to death.”
Tyson, simply, said, “I’m punching pretty hard these days; my mode of operation once I get a man hurt is reckless abandon”, but the unconvincing nature of what had unfolded had regardless not registered with his impressionable friend.
