Mike Breen Recalls His First Encounter With Mike Tyson: “All the Reporters Left”

Mike Tyson started his professional boxing career at the age of 18, winning 15 matches in his debut year. That is an astounding number. There are several stories about him from after his rise to stardom. But comparatively less is known about his early days in boxing. ESPN commentator Mike Breen went down memory lane recalling an anecdote about his first time meeting an 18-year-old Mike Tyson in 1985. At the time, Tyson had not become a big name in boxing, but he was about to.

Mike Breen was just a fresh graduate from college as well, and he got a job at a radio station in Poughkeepsie. He recalls that the biggest sporting event in the history of the town then was going to take place at the Mid-Hudson Civic Center. Breen explains that he was a rookie back then and was supposed to cover the big event. But he didn’t care. Light welterweight champion Billy Costello was going to headline the big event. And Breen was just happy that he got a chance. However, unfortunately, Billy Costello broke his hand one week before the fight, and he could not compete in the match. Now there was a need for another boxer to fill the champion’s shoes as the main event. This is where Mike Tyson came in.

Young Mike Tyson surprised Breen with his knowledge of boxing history

Sports Emmy Award winner Mike Breen appeared on ‘The Mark Jackson Show’, hosted by former NBA point guard Mark Jackson, and his son Mark Jr. Apparently, Breen went to the dressing room to meet Tyson, Cus D’Amato, and Tyson’s coach, Kevin Rooney which is where he interacted with the young kid from Brooklyn. After Costello was out from the event, Breen explained on the show, “But they had sold tickets and they had other matches on the card. And the promoter was calling every radio station and every single newspaper in the area to beg them please come. Even though Costello is not going, he’s like, we have got this young up-and-coming heavyweight, he’s going to be on the main event now.” 

‘Iron Mike’ went up against Larry Sims on that day on July 19th, 1985. He finished his fifth professional bout with a devastating 3rd round knockout. Breen further explained, “So I was all fired up to go. And it’s Mike Tyson and it was his fifth professional bout, and he knocks the guy out, if I remember correctly in the third round. And all the reporters left. Nobody stayed afterwards.” The promoter had asked Mike Breen to interview the young boxer.

Breen said he saw Tyson as a powerful boxer, but he had no idea what the future held for him. During the interview, a young Tyson was talking about the history of the sport, and boxing greats from the past, like Joe Lewis. Breen was surprised to listen to this young boxer who spoke so passionately about what he does. “Because all he did was talk about the history of boxing, he would talk about Joe Lewis and all the great fighters from the past. And I’ll never forget that, that was pretty special to see a guy at that age, and then see what he developed to one of the great heavyweight champs of all time,” recalled the NBA announcer.

The interview went on for around 1 and a half hours. The commentator called it one of the coolest nights he could remember.

The former heavyweight champion still on the grind at 58

Although ‘Iron Mike’ retired from boxing in 2005, he is still an active figure in the world of sports. He was last seen squaring off against Roy Jones Jr. in an exhibition bout in 2020. Now, the 57-year-old is set to go against Jake Paul in November when he will be 58 years old. The fight was scheduled to take place on July 20th, but Tyson suffered an ulcer flare up, thus, it was postponed to November. 

Jake Paul is almost 30 years younger than Tyson. He could seriously damage the veteran fighter. But he’s not just any old veteran—he’s ‘The Baddest Man on the Planet’. Though Paul may be younger and bigger than Tyson, the former heavyweight champion is still a competent puncher, especially when facing bigger opponents. But one can never be sure how a battle will play out. The public is excited for Tyson to make a comeback. What do you think about Mike Breen’s story of meeting young Mike Tyson? Please tell us by posting a comment below.