On the night of September 7, 1996, WBC heavyweight champion Mike Tyson fought Bruce Seldon for the WBA title at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. By this time, Tyson's fights were major cultural events, blending boxing with celebrity, business, Hollywood, and hip hop. Present at ringside was controversial rapper Tupac Shakur, a friend of Tyson's, united with him by their shared experiences of rising from poverty and facing imprisonment. Plans were made for Shakur and Tyson to celebrate after the fight, but Shakur never showed up. He was fatally shot later that night, transforming the anticipated celebration into a tragic and unexpected event.
