Photos of Mike Tyson meditating are going viral on Indonesian social media. According to captions by local journalists, the famous boxer came to Ubud for a wellness retreat and spiritual practices — and ended up planning to open his own coffee shop on the island.
Judging by the circulated photos and videos, the boxing legend stayed at Gdas Bali, a wellness hotel in Ubud. The resort regularly hosts yoga retreats, offers a wide range of wellness programs, and serves exclusively vegetarian cuisine. One of the investors and co-founders of the place is American entrepreneur and music producer Russell Simmons (pictured meditating alongside Tyson).
The hotel was expecting the famous boxer and prepared for his arrival. His private pool was filled with flower petals spelling out: “Welcome to Gdas Bali Health and Wellness Resort, Mr. Tyson.”
Mike Tyson himself hasn’t posted any photos from this trip or made any public statements. However, according to local media, the boxer plans to open a chain of coffee shops in Indonesia. Reportedly, he’ll start with Bali — this would be his first branch in the Asia-Pacific region. It’s said to be located in the Legian area.
The concept of the future establishment is rumored to be unique — not just a café, but a modern boxing museum and a store offering exclusive Tyson-branded products, including cigarettes, energy drinks, merchandise, and more.
Social media users are divided on the news. Some welcomed the announcement, while others are skeptical about foreign investments — even from a legendary athlete.
There’s also another nuance: the Tyson 2.0 brand, under which venues have already opened in the U.S. and Europe, is known not for coffee but for cannabis. The business had previously expanded into countries where the substance is legalized — one of Tyson’s coffee shops, for example, is in the Netherlands. Indonesia, and Bali in particular, are clearly not on that list — possession and distribution of illegal substances can carry the death penalty here.
So it remains unclear exactly what kind of venue Mike Tyson is planning to open in Indonesia. Journalists who reported the news claim that his ambitions go beyond Bali. According to local media, Tyson Cafe and Lounge is also set to open in Java and Sumatra in the future.
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