Shadowboxing: True Crime in Combat Sports

Episode 4: Mike Tyson's Connection to a Serial Killer

Before Dale Hausner became known as one-half of the “Serial Shooters” who terrorized Phoenix with a deadly summer-long killing spree, he did something almost unthinkable — he sat across from Mike Tyson with a microphone in hand and asked him about boxing.
In this episode, Amy Kaplan unpacks the disturbing true story of how a serial killer posed as a sports journalist to get close to one of the most iconic fighters in history. Just days after their eerie encounter, Tyson’s gym was surrounded by SWAT, and the former champ was shown a photo of the man he’d unknowingly welcomed into his inner circle.
Who was Dale Hausner before the headlines—and how did he end up face-to-face with Iron Mike? 
This is Shadowboxing. Where fight culture meets true crime.
SOURCES: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=0BofPug6HLw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-7x1YuKZFC0
https://www.12news.com/article/news/crime/15-years-later-former-phoenix-police-detective-describes-serial-shooters/75-a2d4cfc3-a58e-4725-814f-cf21696dd235
https://criminalminds.fandom.com/wiki/Dale_Hausner_and_Samuel_Dieteman
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-arizona-serialshooter-idUSBRE95I1QW20130619/?feedName=OutloudFeed&feedType=RSS
https://www.instagram.com/reel/CuxqGtkv0S2/
https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/dale-hausner-samuel-dieteman-did-103035288.html

Episode 3: Tim Kennedy

In episode 3 of Shadowboxing: True Crime in Combat Sports, I address how a former UFC fighter and former Green Beret found himself at the center of a stolen‑valor scandal. I'll explain where the claims stem from, what could happen if Kennedy is found guilty, and why this is such a big deal to the MMA and military communities. 
 
SOURCES: 
SOURCES: 
https://sports.yahoo.com/mma/article/ufc-vet-tim-kennedy-reportedly-under-investigation-after-admitting-to-lying-about-military-service-record-181117808.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tim_Kennedy_(fighter)
https://x.com/TimKennedyMMA/status/1942787440722248111
https://www.military.com/daily-news/2025/07/10/tim-kennedy-green-beret-and-army-hype-man-under-investigation-lying-about-combat-valor.html
https://americanwarriorshow.libsyn.com/tim-kennedy-special-operations-warriorprofessional-fighter
https://www.instagram.com/p/DEgl2Ljx44i/

Episode 2: Mylik Birdsong plus UPDATE on Jon Jones

In this episode of Shadowboxing: True Crime in Combat Sports, we explore the tragic story of Mylik Birdsong — a promising young boxer whose dreams were derailed by a deadly act of violence. What led to the fatal shooting outside of his mother's Los Angeles home? And will his killers ever be brought to justice?
We also bring you the latest developments in the ongoing legal saga of former UFC champion Jon Jones. 
 
SOURCES: 
https://www.mmafighting.com/2025/7/10/24465374/jon-jones-hit-new-charge-duplicate-charge-related-car-accident-in-february-attorney-files-to-dismiss
https://people.com/welterweight-boxing-champion-mylik-birdsong-dies-los-angeles-drive-by-shooting-8720799
https://ktla.com/news/local-news/shooting-leaves-pro-boxer-dead-in-south-los-angeles/
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/275214546/mylik-birdsong

Episode 1: Jon Jones

In the premiere episode of Shadowboxing: True Crime in Combat Sports, we dive into the chaotic, controversial, and captivating life of former UFC champion Jon "Bones" Jones. Once hailed as the greatest mixed martial artist of all time, Jones' meteoric rise was shadowed by a string of legal troubles, failed drug tests, and personal demons that nearly derailed his life.
From hit-and-run incidents and DUI arrests to doping scandals and ducking accusations, this episode unpacks the timeline of Jones' out-of-the-cage controversies—and asks the question: Can we still call Jon Jones the GOAT?
 
SOURCES: 
 
https://www.tmz.com/2012/05/19/jon-jones-ufc-arrested-dui/
https://www.espn.com/mma/story/_/id/12129597/ufc-light-heavyweight-champion-jon-jones-enters-drug-treatment-facility
https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2321386-jon-jones-enters-drug-treatment-facility-following-positive-test
https://www.espn.com/mma/story/_/id/12775177/ufc-champion-jon-jones-facing-felony-charge-alleged-hit-run
https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/story/sports/ufc/2015/10/23/ufc-reinstates-ex-champ-jon-jones/82379024007/
https://www.foxsports.com/stories/ufc/jon-jones-settles-court-case-over-drag-racing-charges
https://www.cnn.com/2019/07/23/sport/ufc-jon-jones-assault-charges
https://www.espn.com/mma/story/_/id/28958316/ufc-jon-jones-arrested-alleged-dwi-negligent-use-firearm
https://www.espn.com/mma/story/_/id/32299727/ufc-star-jon-jones-was-emotional-roller-coaster-domestic-violence-related-arrest
https://www.mmaweekly.com/news/jon-jones-felony-arrest-details-daughter-asked-for-police-to-be-called-after-jones-allegedly-assaulted-fiance
https://www.cbssports.com/mma/news/ufc-champion-jon-jones-charged-with-two-misdemeanors-related-to-incident-with-drug-testing-agent/
https://www.abqjournal.com/sports/article_2bd78914-e533-4711-b153-0169eb9a3500.html
https://sports.yahoo.com/mma/breaking-news/article/jon-jones-facing-new-criminal-charge-over-fleeing-scene-of-car-crash-as-he-announces-retirement-023934848.html