A little more than one year ago, Mike Tyson was dealt a horrible tragedy when his daughter Exodus suddenly died. Since that time, Mike has released a hit movie, leading some to wonder if he has turned a corner in his life. I don't think Mike will ever be a normal guy, but he has certainly proven to be quite fertile.

It is being reported that Tyson is about to father his eighth child in the next few months. The lucky lady having Mike's baby is his third wife, Lakiha Spicer, who is 33 years old. Spicer is reportedly five months pregnant.

Tyson married Spicer less than two weeks after his daughter died. Exodus was killed when her neck was accidentally caught in a cord connected to an exercise machine. The tragedy dealt yet another serious blow to Tyson, who has seen his life go from rags to riches and back to rags again.

About his wife he has said, "I don't deserve to have the wife that I have; I don't deserve the kids that I have, but I do, and I'm very grateful," Tyson said on "The View."

Tyson's two prior marriages were to Robin Givens and Monica Turner, a pediatrician. Givens and Tyson divorced in 1989, and his marriage to Turner ended in 2003.

Watching Mike Tyson's life has been like watching the life of the character "Jenny" from "Forrest Gump." In the film, Jenny is a confused, unhappy human being who is constantly trying to find herself. She never quite gets it right, though, and has a sad ending to her story. Tyson, in the same vein, has ended up in one complex situation after another in search of the real Iron Mike.

I am not sure how Tyson's life is going to end, but I am rooting for him. I cheered for him when he was heavyweight champion of the world, and I cheer for him today. All the while, I feel sadness for a man who seems to understand that he is flawed but is unable to do anything about it.

I can't imagine how many psychiatrists and spiritual counselors Tyson has gone through in his life, but he never seems to be able to figure out the combination to his complex mind. Perhaps after being blessed with so many children, he will find his way to redemption, peace and normalcy. I certainly wish him the best.


Dr. Boyce Watkins is the founder of the Your Black World Coalition and a Scholarship in Action Resident of the Institute for Black Public Policy. To have Dr. Boyce commentary delivered to your email, please click here.