“He’s Never Hid Behind a Publicist” – Jim Gray Appreciates ‘Real Man’ Mike Tyson

Reputed American sportscaster Jim Gray has explained why he has so much respect and admiration for Mike Tyson. The 61-year-old, who has had roles at ESPN, NBC Sports, and CBS Sports, explains why he thinks Tyson is a ‘real man’. The reporter suggests that it goes beyond just boxing skill for Mike Tyson; it is how he dealt with adversity that set him apart from the rest.

Speaking on ‘THE FIGHT with Teddy Atlas’, Jim Gray gave his honest take on Tyson. He said, “My Existence with Mike has been really, really fortunate. And it’s been really, really good. Mike… no matter what has happened in Mike’s life, the good, the excellence, the climbing to the top, the bad, the despicable, the heinous, all of those things. He’s always had within him, the wherewithal to answer the questions to come and do the interview with me during those times.”

When one looks back on ‘Iron’ Mike Tyson’s interviews, they can see what Jim Gray is referring to. He added, “And I’ve always appreciated that he’s never hid behind a publicist.”

“He’s never tried to release a statement five days later, he’s never said, I’m not coming out of my corner out of the locker room, whether he’d bitten a man’s ear off, or no matter what the circumstance was… coming out of prison for prison from the rejection, he always stood there and answered the questions.”

This goes to show how honest and transparent Mike Tyson was. According to Gray, it is what set Tyson apart from the rest. This is something you do not see in the sport anymore; fighters have their teams and managers trying to protect and guide them every step of the way.

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Jim Gray says Mike Tyson is a ‘real man’

The reporter didn’t stop at that and added, “That, to me, says a lot about him as a man, a real man. That he was accountable, that he was responsible, and that he would answer and face the music no matter what it was, that he had done in his life.”

He confirmed that there was nothing that Mike Tyson avoided when talking to the press.

The Hall-of-Famer went on to give the legend the respect he deserves; despite not agreeing and condoning the things he did in his career.

This is what the majority of the boxing community will feel towards Mike Tyson. Yes, he had his fair share of controversies. Yes, was one of the most skilled fighters to have graced the sport. And despite all of this, he was honest about everything he did. Hence fans can regard ‘Iron’ Mike as one of the greatest and most influential fighters the sport has ever seen.