Some people see poetry in boxing. Some people see a man’s inner conflict, watch him try and understand it and work out some small piece of it in 10 rounds. And then some people like boxing simply for the vicarious, barbaric thrill of watching one man beat another to bloody pulps. But if you’re like me you don’t like boxing for any of these reasons because you probably don’t like boxing that much. While I can appreciate the athleticism needed, I’m afraid the attraction of subjecting yourself to repeated beatings on a volunteer basis makes about as much sense to me as watching cars drive in a circle 200 times, or as millions of people know it as: NASCAR.

Case in point: Mike Tyson. Here was a man that literally came from nothing, and through training, grit and determination he built himself into the youngest heavyweight champion ever to grace the world of professional boxing. He was certainly talented, but peaking early in his career, winning the WBC title at only the age of 20, perhaps an attitude of superiority resulting in complacency and arrogance was inevitable. All these things have been talked about in regards to Tyson since the early 90s when his undefeated streak ended and he was sentenced to three years in prison for rapping beauty pageant contestant Desiree Washington. After doing his time, Tyson never enjoyed the success he once did in the ring and developed something of a reputation as a hooligan, which was all but secured during the “Sound of Fury” rematch against Evander Holyfield in ’97 when he literally bit of a piece of Holyfield’s ear off in the third round.

So much has been said about Tyson’s life, his career and his mistakes, but you’ve never seen Tyson the way you see him in the new documentary that bears his name. Director James Toback gets remarkable access and insight as the former heavyweight champion talks plainly and frankly about his tough childhood and adolescent years in Brooklyn, being turned on to boxing and training under Cus D'Amato, his years fighting, his tumultuous personal life and his slow decline from greatness. This isn’t a weeper, although you can’t help finding yourself sympathizing with Tyson. This is one of those documentaries that feel like it was done on a whim only to have all parties realize later what they have, and that the main subject might have said too much.

Fortunately though, everybody seemed on the same page. These conversations with Tyson don’t seem like ‘True Confession’ and the Champ is hardly apologetic about his mistakes. You can’t help but sit there enraptured though. It’s very rare that you see a celebrity or public figure, or at least one that’s as controversial as Mike Tyson, so raw and so vulnerable. Tyson comes across as very sympathetic, which is position you’d never expect to find yourself in going into the movie given the facts of the case. Toback’s style is a bit jarring at first, but you settle into it rather quickly, and his use of archival footage is weaved in with tremendously delicate skill. But mostly this is Tyson, sitting in front of a camera, telling his story as only he can. Both compassionate and unsympathetic, Tyson is unflinching, honest and real despite its larger than life subject matter.