There is no proam firewall now
I think the poorer you are, the better boxer you are, and the most successful fighters have come from slums, says former world heavyweight champion Mike Tyson, who was in Mumbai for the launch of the mixed martial arts Kumite 1 League.
In his heyday, Mike Tyson showered a barrage of punches on his opponents in the ring. On his first visit to India on September 27, it was the turn of the boxing legend to be at the receiving end — from journalists.
The former world heavyweight champion was in Mumbai for the launch of the mixed martial arts Kumite 1 League. And though he walked through the doors for a media conference in a white printed shirt and jeans nearly twoandahalf hours behind schedule — just as the gathered media personnel were planning to walk out — the wait was worth it.
After a long journey from the US via China, the 52yearold Tyson appeared jetlagged and initially fumbled for words, but then spoke candidly in an exclusive conversation.
You have got a ringside view of the game. Has boxing evolved over the years?
The guys are bigger now and they are even stronger. But…(chuckles) it is evolving pretty slow; it is kind of going backwards. I feel things should try and go forward now.
Do you think that today, with the facilities and technology available, the sport has become a lot easier than what it used to be?
No, I think with technology things have got even tougher for a boxer. Yes, it is tough.
With so many leagues coming up, are the lines between amateur and professional boxing blurring?
Both have become pretty [similar] now. There is no firewall.
Why do you think this has happened?
I don’t know. [Maybe a] different time, technology [have roles to play].
In an intense sport like boxing, what do you need to succeed — skill or heart? What is more important, because when you are battered, does your head allow you to dig in to your skills?
First thing [that you have to focus on] is the training department. That is important. You need to get adapted to that and train your mind on how to fight. You need to understand that you are in a fight and you could be hurt if the contact is not right. Most of the fighters now are in their subconscious when in the ring.
These days, a lot of boxers who have passed their prime are keen on joining MMA. Do you think that is a viable option?
I have no idea. I think some boxers who have retired go to the league. Probably, that’s the way [it is for them].
Had the concept of MMA come a bit early, would you have thought of