Humble and contrite, Tyson reworks image

The familiar lisp remains. So does the captivating personality that made him both a star and villain in the world of sports.

But these days, Mike Tyson is trying to make up for lost time and enjoy his life, after a young adulthood marked by fortune, fame, prison and outlandish behavior.

The 43-year-old former boxing champ makes his first trip to Minneapolis on Monday, when he will serve as a guest host on World Wrestling Entertainment's "RAW" at Target Center.

Tyson's scheduled appearance on the highly rated television program is an extension of his re-emergence on the national scene.

A documentary about his life, "Tyson," won a specially named "Knockout" prize at the Cannes Film Festival in 2008.

He shed tears during a recent interview with Oprah Winfrey, as he spoke about his 4-year-old daughter, Exodus, who died in May in an accident at her mother's home.

And college kids all over the country loved his rendition of Phil Collins' "In the Air Tonight" in the movie "The Hangover."

From troubled youth to champion

Tyson became the youngest heavyweight champion ever when he was 20 years old, after discovering boxing as a troubled youth. He earned an estimated $300 million during a memorable career in which he succeeded Muhammad Ali as boxing's biggest icon.

But the riches and prestige also came with a variety of problems.

He was convicted of rape in the early '90s and served three years in prison. Former wife Robin Givens accused him of domestic assault during a primetime interview with Barbara Walters.

When he finally climbed back up the boxing ranks following his release from prison, he lost his license to fight when he bit off a piece of Evander Holyfield's ear during a 1997 championship bout. Tyson apologized to Holyfield on "Oprah" last year.

Tyson said a variety of mental health issues contributed to his erratic behavior. While he appeared to love his wealth and the lavish lifestyle that came with it, he said he never found the happiness he sought.

"You know what? It was very empty; the timing wasn't right for me," he said. "What [people] get wrong is basically from around 1987 on I was very sick, emotionally sick. I wasn't well. Very depressed and very sporadic in my actions. I was going through a serious transformation in that particular time in my life, and it was just overwhelming, really."

He added: "I come from the juvenile home to young heavyweight champion of the world. That was too just overwhelming for me."

Forging a new beginning

Today, Tyson's wife and children give him much-needed structure, he said.

Today, Tyson said he spends his time listening to music, playing with his children (six surviving) and working on various business deals. He said he's learned that idle time isn't good for him.

He said he doesn't follow boxing too much, but he thinks the sport's future is bleak. Mixed martial arts has topped his former love because boxing has failed to produce a great American heavyweight in recent years, Tyson said.

As for his legacy in the sport, he said he still believes he was one of the greatest boxers of all time.

"In my mind, my ego tells me I'm the best that ever lived and ever will be, but in retrospect that's not my position to judge myself," he said.