Mike Tyson, on his podcast, Hotboxin’ with Mike Tyson revealed why his sparring partners never become world champions despite being talented. In a recent episode of his show, Tyson along with his co-host, Sebastian Joseph-Day, had Criss Angel on the podcast as a guest. Angel is a musician and a magician. During the episode, he reflected on his career, his hit show, Mindfreak, and his relationship with Tyson over the years.

However, amidst their episode, Angel asked Tyson his preparation for a 12-round fight. Tyson responded by explaining how he spared other boxers and also revealed the reason why those sparring partners failed to become world champions.

What differentiated Tyson from his sparring partners?

Tyson revealed that in order for him compete at the highest level, he need formidable sparring partners. For the same, he used to spar with multiple boxers for 10 rounds, and some even connected cleanly on Tyson. Despite the sparring partners being competitive with Tyson, they never truly received the notoriety of the former heavyweight champion.

Reflecting on the same, Tyson revealed that it is because they could not fight with their truest potential under the lights when the pressure was on them. He stated, “Practice you can kick anybody’s a** in the world, one thing is when they get in the ring somebody starts eating some popcorn and put the lights on they freeze.”

He added, “I say why don’t you have these guys like you fight me, you would be world champion. It doesn’t work, It doesn’t connect when they get into the ring.” While his sparring partners did not, Tyson was one boxer who thrived during fight nights. He was a feared individual due to the sheer aura around him. Though there was one individual who Tyson feared the most. Do you know who?

Who did Mike Tyson Fear?

 Cus D’Amato was one of the early trainers of Tyson. In a book published in 2017, Tyson revealed that D’Amato was the only individual he feared the most. He stated, “I was petrified when I was alone with him. If he called me – ‘Mike, I need to talk to you’ – I didn’t feel good going over to him.”

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