When the subject of Mike Tyson comes into a conversation, most people think of a big, tough, angry, heavy weight-boxing champion. This image was challenged Sunday March 6, when audiences had the opportunity to see a different side of the once heavy-weight brawler with the premiere of his new Animal Planet’s television series, Taking on Tyson.

Taking on Tyson focuses not so much on Mike Tyson, but more on Tyson’s love for pigeons. “The first thing I ever loved in my life was a pigeon,” states Tyson in an interview with Animal Planet. Most people might find this statement a little odd coming from one of the most feared boxer to ever step into a ring. But for Tyson, this show is about reinventing himself and educating the world about pigeons.

Now at age 44, Tyson is no longer the same person who spent three years in prison for rape; nor is he the same man who took a bite out of Evanders Holyfield’s ear in a boxing match. In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Mike Tyson admits, “You won’t see big mansions or Rolls-Royces. That Mike Tyson is dead and went to hell a long time ago.”

Taking on Tyson is a six-part series airing on Sundays at 10:00 pm on Animal Planet. These segments will show Mike Tyson with a group of close friends, raising and training pigeons to enter them in Pigeon races. Mike Tyson explains to Entertainment Weekly that pigeon races are very competitive. “Some of the people want to fight. They hate each other. Some people think others are cheating.”

With intense pigeon races and funny Tyson moments, this series is a must-see. Who knew a little bird can make such a big impact on a man’s life?!