Mike Tyson was one of the most celebrated boxers of his time. The former heavyweight champion was known for his thrilling knockouts and vibrant personality outside the ring. But one thing that distinguished him is his bluntness. He was never hesitant to share his true opinions. And it seems as if the 56-year-old still carries that characteristic. One of the former champ’s old clips has resurfaced on the internet, and it’s a strong message to all of the promoters in the sport. And when someone with Mike Tyson’s resume makes a statement about the sport, it is safe to say that he has a lot of experience backing it.
In the clip, Mike Tyson shares a strong message for boxing promoters. And what he believes is currently wrong with the sport. Furthermore, he discussed how things ought for the relationship between a fighter and the respective promoter.
According to Mike Tyson, the boxer is the boss
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In the modern scene of boxing, the question of who is the boss between a promoter and a boxer can seem confusing for the fans who witness everything from a third-person perspective. And in the clip, Mike Tyson highlighted that discrepancy and pointed out how the business should be conducted. The clip is from a press conference for the Jake Paul Vs. Tommy Fury fight.
In the clip, Tyson said, “First of all, before you even get the best fight, the fighter should be the first person to get his cheque.” He added, “Somebody shouldn’t get their cheque before him and then say, Hey, You get this.” The 56-year-old further drew a comparison and said, “That should never happen that’s happening now in boxing.” ‘Iron Mike’ does not seem to be happy with what’s prevailing in the sport, and he did not hold back from sharing his true opinions.
Tyson believes that the boxer is the boss of everyone who works for him, not the promoter. So, the boxer should get paid first, then the promoter. He said, “You[fighter] should have his money paying him because he works for you. Everybody works for the fighter. The fighter’s the boss.”
Back in his era, Mike Tyson had his fair share of promoters, and one promoter revealed the marketing trick they used for Mike Tyson.
The Tale of Mike Tyson and Don King
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The boxing world is not unaware of the whole Tyson and King Saga. The ‘Baddest Man on the Planet’ signed with the veteran promoter during his professional career. And then, the controversies between the two began, with their tumultuous business relationship open for the world to see.
Mike Tyson eventually sued King in 1998 for $100 million and claimed that King siphoned millions of dollars from him over a decade. But, in the end, Tyson only walked out of the lawsuit with $14 million. The relationship between the duo continues to be a hot topic in boxing. And one of the biggest controversies in the sport.
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What are your thoughts on Mike Tyson’s views on promoters? Let us know in the comments.
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