MIKE TYSON revealed a discussion in a prison cell led to the heavyweight boxing icon having pet tigers.

Iron Mike’s white Bengal tigers became an infamous part of his character, with the American having three pet jungle cats.

Speaking on the Joe Rogan podcast, the ex-undisputed heavyweight champion revealed a discussion he had with his car dealer in jail inspired him to get the pet tigers.

Tyson said: “So I’m in prison, I’m talking to my car dealer at the time.

“He has some cars that belong to a [mutual friend], and he’s discussing, ‘If he doesn’t pay for these cars, I’m going to sell these cars to somebody and get some horses.’”

“I said, ‘What, you can get horses? And trade horses in for cars?’ Because I had a lot of cars, I’d probably get some horses too.

“And he said, ‘Yeah man, you can get cougars, lions, tigers.’

“I said, ‘You do? Can you get me some tigers?’

“The guy said, ‘Imagine how cool that would be?’ Because I had a bunch of fancy cars, ‘Imagine that man, you’d be in an Aston Martin or a Ferrari.

“‘You’d have a tiger right next to you, man. That’s be so awesome.’ And I’m a young guy. I’m saying to myself, ‘Wow, that would be cool. Get me some cubs, man.’”

Tyson, 52, reportedly purchased each tiger for £48,000 and spent £3,000 a month feeding his pets.

Before Tyson gave up his Bengal tigers, he had a gold tooth knocked out after giving one of his pets a kiss.