A Year after Going Viral for $300 Million Fight Offer, Mike Tyson Answers the Burning Question: Does He Wish He Was Still Fighting Now?

Unlike Floyd Mayweather Jr., Mike Tyson hasn’t been that prolific in the exhibition circuit. He fought a non-scoring, four-round match against Cory Sanders roughly a year after he retired in 2005. His next exhibition match occurred fourteen years later. Fans finally saw a glimpse of Mike Tyson from the old days when he met Roy Jones Jr. at the Staples Center. He hasn’t stepped back into the ring ever since. Though, beginning last year, talks of a fight worth $300 million with Jake Paul came about. Now on his show, he shared his thoughts with Stephen A Smith on hanging in there, fighting.

‘It’s nearly eighteen years since he hung the gloves. But a question looms among fans whether ‘Iron’ Mike should have continued fighting. Sports journalist and television host Stephen A Smith did a great favor to most fans. He joined Tyson and co-host Sebastian Joseph Day on Hotboxin’s latest episode. Their discussion progressed from career to family and values.

Mike Tyson doesn’t want to tease ghosts from the past

Smith spoke about his mother, Janet Smith, and shared how achieving some career milestones helped him care for his mother. He even managed to send her on vacation. Tyson added that boys, in general, are close to their mothers. Concurring, Smith said that even the most vicious person wouldn’t dare raise his voice at his mother since he knows what he means to her. Then the former champion suddenly redirected the discussion to psychopaths, other anti-socials, and even a devil worshipper!

Stephen A Smith called the world ‘messed up.’ However, Tyson interjected that it’s not the world but the people inhabiting it who are in a mess. According to Mike Tyson, the world is perfect in its real essence. However, it is occupied by flawed beings. On that note, the guest asked, “…do you wish you were still fighting right now considering the people in this world because you were at your best when you were menacing, as you say? Do you wish you were still fighting right now?“

Tyson does not want to bring back the old days of his frightening death stare

Tyson replied that though he has nothing against fighting per se. however, returning to it would mean he would be required to embrace his mean self, as he used to be in his prime. And as it stands, the game no longer interests him, “I don’t want to be that person anymore, okay but I wouldn’t mind fighting, but you can’t be one without the other.”  When Smith asked why he couldn’t do so when essentially all fighters need to be menacing, ‘Iron’ Mike answered that it was about him.

‘The Baddest Man on The Planet’ became one of the most fearsome fighters in boxing’s history. Carrying an air of supreme brutality, his presence sent shivers down opponents’ spines. Rumors have it that he used to defeat the challengers with his mere, intimidating stare, even before the first bell rang. 

Read More: Mike Tyson Names “Biggest Narcotic” the World Is Addicted to More Than Power

Which bout of Mike Tyson, during his prime, tops the list? Do share your thoughts and views with us in the comments below.

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