Mike Tyson Just Learnt About Street Fighter II’s Balrog

Back in 1991, Capcom released a fighter game called Street Fighter II. It featured a certain boxer named Balrog, who looked suspiciously similar to famous boxing legend Mike Tyson. It seems the former boxing champ was never aware of it, until now.

When most people think of Mike Tyson and games they think of the classic Mike Tyson’s Punch-Out, but not many are aware that there is another gaming character that resembles the famous boxer.

During an ESPN broadcast, Arda Ocal spoke to Mike Tyson and asked him if he has ever seen the Street Fighter character who had an uncanny resemblance to him. Tyson replied that he had no idea and Ocal explained to him that the boxer known as Balrog was initially called M. Bison in Japan.

Yes, the guy with the penchant for the colour red and stylish capes. M. Bison was actually called Vega at first, and the claw wielding fighter named Balrog. Due to the M being short for Mike, the character’s name was changed to Balrog as Capcom feared that there might be legal issues.

After Ocal showed Tyson a picture of Street Fighter‘s Balrog and told him the tale of how the character came to be, Tyson replied that he was really honoured with the “impersonation”.

You can see Tyson’s reaction to the news below.