Mike Tyson Interview from ESPN, after losing to Lennox Lewis in there 2002 fight. On the biggest misconception the public has about him: "People think I am a beast because I am a bit outrageous. Probably because I was a young celebrity, I am a bit arrogant as well. It is very difficult because at one stage in my life I am robbing a house and the next thing I know I am the heavyweight champion of the world. That is a big culture shock. It is tragic to give a kid at 18 years old- $25-$30 million with no restriction. I thought 'Okay, guys. We will get these cars, we'll get these girls, we'll get this house.' It's a horrific lifestyle." On Don King's claim that Tyson walked away from him and $150 million: "That is not true... With Don King, the money may be generated but you won't get what you are promised. For $150 million, if I am lucky, I might get $20 million out of the whole deal. This guy is a monster as far as I am concerned. He doesn't care about anyone." On Evander Holyfield: "He is such a great fighter, that he is the only one in the history of the sport, who never has to say he is going to beat his opponent...He probably has the biggest heart of anybody in the history of the sport. He is just a total competitor...He is always passive and humble, but he is an animal. He is an animal, a ferocious beast, a devil that got loose in the ring." On fighting Holyfield again: "Once he cuts his connection with Mr. King it is going to happen." On changing his life: "I just thank God. We have been through trials and tribulations in our life, most of the time...I am just happy to be here...My life ha changed. I am not angry at anyone...It is an ongoing process. My life is nowhere near together. There is one side of the equation and the other, and it is merging together.God put different people and religion in my life...It has focused me and deepened my whole barometer." On fighting Lennox Lewis: "He fought well. It showed what could happen if you have a great deal of determination, persistence and consistency. I have been in the game and I am going to come back and be champion again. You strive to be the best in the world...and there will always be disappointments. But, it's the ones that are always striving to keep focus that wind up prospering." "Lennox fought a great fight. Regardless of the situation, if I was rusty, once you sign the contract to fight, you can't make any excuses. People want to see results and not hear excuses. We will do it again and fight more...I would love to fight him again. If he wants to fight, I would be willing to fight again." On keeping motivated to get in the ring "The passion to fight is there. You can't fight unless you train and sometimes you have to motivate yourself to train...You can't imagine what athletes have to strive for in order to achieve perfection." On young boxers who believe that they are the next Tyson: "These guys are hungry and want to be a champion. They deserve to feel the way that they do. Until they test the waters, no one knows. Every man deserves to feel that he is the best in the world, no matter what his goal or occupation is." |
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