The once glorious Ohio mansion of boxer Mike Tyson will become a church. What was once a massive party house in the 1980s and 1990s has passed hands over the years with its newest owner planning something very different for the home.
Mail Online reports that the vast estate located in Southington, Ohio features a number of amenities that include marble finishing, mirror ceiling jacuzzi, steam room, gigantic pool and crystal chandeliers, to name a few.
Prior to carrying out the planned conversion, the developers tasked Johnny Woo to capture stills of what's located behind the iron gates.
"As I wandered the halls and rooms, I imagined the wild parties which must have taken place within these walls," said the 24-year-old photographer. "The pool was probably my favorite - just because of how incredibly large it was and thinking how vibrant it was at one point in time," added Woo of the lavish home the former heavyweight champ built.
"The room was bigger than three of my houses. It was pretty incredible to look at while standing at one end. Everything was so full of life and now simply collects dust," described Woo of the residence.
The estate features five bedrooms, seven and a half bathrooms, numerous living spaces, a full kitchen and another kitchenette, three garages, tiger cages and a basketball court to work out in. Tyson, once said to be "The Baddest Man on The Planet" fell from grace after he dealt with allegations of rape. In 1992, the world champion was convicted and served six years in prison with four years of parole.
Due to a worsening financial situation, the home, which was once worth millions, was sold by Tyson for $1.3 million.
Place of Worship
According to Woo, the home's structure is in great shape but it will need quite a bit of work. I've seen a few restorations throughout my work but nothing so contrasting as this." He added, "But it's definitely one of the more well-preserved structures I have been in through years of exploring and photographing abandoned places."
Woo believes that the space is a terrific candidate for a church. "Structurally the home is wonderful and I can't wait to see the restoration completed over time."
He also revealed that the buyers who purchased the place in Dec. 2014 are extending an invitation to Tyson to attend the church's first gathering but there is no word whether Tyson plans to make an appearance.
"I hope to help by sharing this story far and wide, maybe bringing his attention to this matter. It could be quite an experience for him walking through his former home, seeing it brought to a completely different light."
TMZ notes that some of the work that needs to be done includes the removal of graffiti since vandals have tagged areas of the estate leaving behind their symbols.
Photos of the abandoned mansion can be found here.
