New owners aim to turn Mike Tyson's abandoned Ohio mansion into a church

Mike Tyson made over $300 million dollars during his legendary career as one of the most feared heavyweight boxing champions of all-time.

But by 2003, after a stint in prison for sexual assault and a career nosedive in the mid-to-late 90's, Tyson was bankrupt.

Now, an Ohio photographer, Johnny Joo, is taking fans on a trip back in time to when Mike Tyson ruled the boxing world. His photos show Tyson's late-80s, early 90s mansion in Southington, Ohio. The Brooklyn-born pugilist called the spot home during his reign on top, in part, to be closer to promoter Don King, who operated a training facility nearby.

The photos show just where some of that $300 million went before Tyson declared bankruptcy a little over a decade ago. Layered between the intricate tiling and lavish accommodations are signs of deterioration. But given its age and the fact that original buyer (TV marketer Paul Monea) was indicted on federal corruption charges in 2007 (and never lived in the house to begin with), the property has remained in fairly decent shape.

Health club owner Rob Hemelgarn purchased the property in 2010 and subsequently donated the mansion to The Living World Sanctuary in December of last year. The hope, according to Living World Sanctuary Pastor Nick Dejacimo, is to turn the mansion into a church campus for everyone to enjoy, "We were intrigued by how many people were intrigued by this place," said Dejacimo in an interview with photographer, Joo.

"We had bought property to possibly build our church in another area, then we walked through this place and it was just amazing. And as we went through the entire place, and we got to where the pool is, we could just easily envision what a beautiful sanctuary [it could be]."

Dejacimo explains that a property like Tyson's estate could offer endless possibilities for his congregation – tennis courts, classrooms, workout areas, basketball courts and picnic areas just to name a few.

For a man who once made a career on breaking the spirits (and bones) of his opponents, Tyson's mansion now offers a symbol of hope for the future.