‘TYSON BROKE MY NOSE, I BLOODIED HIS’
James Slater tracks down Bobby Stewart, the man who introduced Mike Tyson to boxing
THOUGH he is credited with being the man who discovered Mike Tyson, former boxer-turned-correctional facility worker Bobby Stewart is far too modest to ever call for such recognition. But he was indeed the man a juvenile Tyson turned to in 1980, and asked for his help while incarcerated in Tryon in New York. Stewart – now 65 – gave young Tyson a chance in the boxing gym and we all know what happened next. Today, with a documentary in the works (on the legendary Cus D’amato, his Catskill gym and those boxing figures who worked and fought there), Bobby continues to offer his help to those in need.
What are your memories of your first meeting with Tyson?
It was 1980, at Tryon. I was a youth correctional worker there. He was sent there and he found out I was a former fighter, and he wanted to meet me because he wanted to be a fighter. That was it initially, and I told him that if he worked really, really hard at it, and kept out of trouble, maybe he could do it. At that time, I had no ideas of him becoming a pro fighter, certainly not of becoming heavyweight champion – I just wanted one kid of mine, just one (laughs), to try and do something with their life and I was so happy that he wanted to try. I just thought at the time that if he could show a good work ethic he’d get out [of the correctional facility] and get himself a job.
You sparred Tyson. What was that like?
At first, my boss asked me if I could handle him [Tyson], as he was bigger than me. Tyson was around 190-pounds even though he was just 12 or 13 years old. The first time we sparred, I never hurt him, but I made a fool of him; making him miss and almost fall over and such like. But he kept trying, asking me what he’d done wrong. After a while, I couldn’t fool him any longer. One of the best jobs I ever did in my career was never letting on how good Tyson was to Tyson himself. But by that stage, it was clear he had real talent.
Cus D’amato famously told Tyson, through yourself, that he had what it took to be the next heavyweight champ.
I can still remember how I felt when Cus said that to me. I was shocked, I nearly started crying! I wasn’t a Cus D’amato fighter, and I admired his mental side of the game more than his physical approach. But when Mike and I sparred for Cus, I would point out things Tyson did that I knew would impress Cus, like the way he would spin out of a corner. At that time, no one really believed Tyson was only 13! Cus said he never doubted me, but the people around him wanted proof. Tyson then was so insecure. All the stories I’d heard of the robberies and things he had done, I couldn’t believe it. He was just a good kid, eager to learn and work his ass off. They [the Tryon staff] had him down as retarded, which he was far from being. But it was an enormous thing: Cus said he could be the heavyweight champion of the world, a huge, huge thing - and it happened. He had the potential to go down as the greatest heavyweight ever.
What did you think when you saw Tyson fall apart and lose – most famously while biting Evander Holyfield?
Well, even with all that happened, I think Tyson is easily deserving of being ranked in the top five greatest heavyweights ever. I agree with those who say that without the loss of Cus and then Kevin Rooney, Tyson would never have lost a fight. The Holyfield [rematch], I’ll tell you exactly what that was – he quit. He took the easy way out. I was home watching it on TV with two friends and I was really embarrassed. He quit without quitting in a way. But everyone makes mistakes and I’m sure the Tyson of 10 years before, even with the head butts [Holyfield’s] he would have just carried on fighting. He would have destroyed Holyfield in four or five rounds had they met when they were both at their best.
Things could have been vastly different if you had not had any time for him when you did.
I know, yes. I’m not looking for any credit. I’m grateful if it comes my way, but I’m not looking for anything. These days, I actually don’t see too many people who know I was involved in boxing. I’m no longer involved. I’m 65 now but I still work as a correctional officer – I always want to help kids get straight in life. Occasionally someone will recognise me. But I’m not looking for any credit. I’m just pleased I was able to help Mike and that I was there for him when I was. It was later said that I was the first person Mike ever trusted. We sparred hard, him breaking my nose, me bloodying his, and I convinced him he could trust me. We had mutual respect for each other.
‘THE FIRST TIME WE SPARRED, I MADE A FOOL OUT OF HIM’