Jamie Foxx set to play Mike Tyson in television series biopic 'Iron Mike'

The project counts Foxx and Martin Scorsese among its producers

Jamie Foxx will play boxing great Mike Tyson in limited series 'Iron Mike'. AP Photo

Jamie Foxx is set to take on the role of controversial boxing great Mike Tyson in a television series biopic of his life.

Foxx will play the lead in Iron Mike, a limited series directed by Training Day's Antoine Fuqua, with Martin Scorsese on board as a producer.

"I have been looking to tell my story for quite some time," Tyson said on Monday.

"I look forward to collaborating with Martin, Antoine, Jamie and the entire creative team to bring audiences a series that not only captures my professional and personal journey, but also inspires and entertains."

A representative for Fuqua confirmed he is attached to the project. So far, the series has not been acquired by a network or streaming service, The Hollywood Reporter reports.

Foxx is no stranger to biopics. The actor won an Oscar for his portrayal of singing legend Ray Charles in 2004's Ray.

Tyson said his recent comeback to the ring – he fought to a draw with Roy Jones Jr in an exhibition in November 2020, at age 54 – made this the perfect time for his story to be told.

The former world heavyweight champion is one of boxing's most successful – and most controversial – figures. Considered one of the best heavyweights of all time, he went 50-6 with 44 knockouts, retiring in 2005 with a loss to Kevin McBride.

But he is also known for his erratic behaviour – biting off a piece of Evander Holyfield's ear before losing their infamous 1997 bout – and his brushes with the law, including a conviction for rape and a drug use.

Tyson bounced back, playing himself in The Hangover (2009) and then taking a one-man show to Broadway.

In late February, streaming platform Hulu announced it was making a limited series about the boxer, however, Tyson said that project did not have his blessing, and that he was not going to earn anything from the "tone-deaf cultural misappropriation" of his life story. He urged viewers to boycott Hulu.