Mike Tyson rules out return to boxing ring

[ThatOne]

Former World heavyweight boxing champion Mike Tyson has ruled out a return to the ring, as he feels he has fallen out of love with the sport.

Tyson hung up his gloves in 2005 and now aged 43, he feels that he is too old and fat to make a comeback.

He told Sky News in an interview: "I am m 43 years old and I am fat and overweight. Who am I going to fight? No, I am not interested in doing that. I am not going to be successful. I am just not that guy. I don't love this stuff any more."

Tyson was the youngest heavyweight world champion at the age of 20 and remains the youngest man ever to win the WBC, WBA and IBF world heavyweight titles. Though he was famous for his intimidating style of boxing and his deadly punches, he found himself embroiled in quite a few controversial situations during his career. He was jailed for three years in 1992 after being found guilty of rape and shocked everyone when he bit a chunk out of fellow heavyweight Evander Holyfield's ear during a comeback bout in 1997.

Tyson announced his retirement from the sport in 2005 after suffering a knockout loss against Kevin McBride, his second knockout defeat in a row.


http://sports.rediff.com/report/2009/no ... -to-boxing


What a tragedy. I don't think there's anything sadder that wasted potential. DidTyson lose because he was emotionally fragile or that he had flaws that were eventually exploited?

[turn2stone]

seems like a strange story. like the angle was invented by a reporter who knew very little about boxing.

[HomicideHenry]

Tyson could make a big living the rest of his life just being Mike Tyson. Simple as that.

As for boxing, he's quite right. Men of his style dont last long in boxing as it is. As much as we wish to see a Tyson fight again, it will never happen.

Myself, I'd like to see a 'Legends of Boxing' ppv card with guys like Larry Holmes, Mike Tyson, Evander Holyfield, Lennox Lewis, Tommy Morrison, etc all box off in exhibitions.

[The Great John L]

Myself, I'd like to see a 'Legends of Boxing' ppv card with guys like Larry Holmes, Mike Tyson, Evander Holyfield, Lennox Lewis, Tommy Morrison, etc all box off in exhibitions.

Sorry, but that sounds like a terrible idea to me.

[Mimmy]

Mike had limited boxing skills in my opinion. He was just a damn hard hitter that won fights before he got into the ring. I think most boxers he beat were basically scared shitless before the opening bell. No doubt he was a good boxer or slugger but once he got beat and his life started to turn for the worsr everyone was queueing up to take him on as his 'invincibility' dissapeared. It was plain to see in some of his later fights that he really wasn't that bothered, in my opinion he beat himself, maybe he had sussed it out that everyone was taking from him while he was doing all the hard graft!

You have to respect mike, he was worth watching and paying those PPV fees. Getting up early hours of the morning and watch hime blow away everyone he fought. I think it was not long after the first Bruno fight that he started to slip, If Bruno had any sense at that time he could have exploited the fact that Tyson was on the slippery road, but Ce la vie.


I'm sure every boxing fan would have Mike in their top 10 fighters of all time. He was exciting to watch and did scare the shit out of everyone.

At 43 he has nothing to offer, he would never get into shape for a fight and im quite sure he would get beat by Audley Harrison so thats saying something. Mikes done the right thing, just hope he stays safe and not found in the gutter one day.

[Controversial]

thank god for that, thats all I can say.

[Controversial]

Mike had limited boxing skills in my opinion. He was just a damn hard hitter that won fights before he got into the ring.

I wouldn't say he had limited boxing skills, remember he was quite small compared to most so to be able to duck and weave out of a lot of punches, plus fire back with power punches at speed takes some skill. I've not seen many fighters mimic it successfully.

[jezzamundo]

Mike had limited boxing skills in my opinion.

Quite a silly comment. In his prime, Tyson was very, very formidable. His punching technique was excellent, as were his handspeed and power. He was also very hard to hit due to his bobbing about, he was not often hit flush, and he had a very good chin to back it up.

I am not one of those people who prescribe to the belief that in his prime, Tyson was the best heavyweight there has ever been. But to say that he had limited boxing skills beggars belief. Rather than boxing skills, what Tyson lacked was a change of game plan, ability to fight on the back foot, the heart to come back from behind and the mental stability to fully commit to training and a fight plan. If he had all those things, yes, Mike Tyson probably would be mentioned along with Ali and Louis as possibly the greatest ever. But he didn't, and he isn't (well, not by anyone I take seriously).

[HomicideHenry]

Myself, I'd like to see a 'Legends of Boxing' ppv card with guys like Larry Holmes, Mike Tyson, Evander Holyfield, Lennox Lewis, Tommy Morrison, etc all box off in exhibitions.

Sorry, but that sounds like a terrible idea to me.

I think its cool. They have the 'Legends of Boxing' title after all (Larry Holmes was the last person I know of to hold it though). I dont see why you couldnt make Morrison-Tyson, Bowe-Lewis, etc in exhibition bouts, and bill the card as 'The Fights That Never Happened'. Albeit being a little too late for anyone to care---but remember the buzz surrounding the talk of Holyfield-Tyson 3?

Whether people like it or not, the old-timers generate more interest among the heavyweights than anyone around today.

[Rocky Balboa]

At 43 he has nothing to offer, he would never get into shape for a fight and im quite sure he would get beat by Audley Harrison so thats saying something. Mikes done the right thing, just hope he stays safe and not found in the gutter one day.

LOL imagine that. Harrison-Tyson! Tyson would give it a right go no matter what sort of shape he's in. Even now, if he lands cleanly, thw shots are going to have some effect!

[Goodnight, Irene]

"I think its cool. They have the 'Legends of Boxing' title after all (Larry Holmes was the last person I know of to hold it though). I dont see why you couldnt make Morrison-Tyson, Bowe-Lewis, etc in exhibition bouts, and bill the card as 'The Fights That Never Happened'. Albeit being a little too late for anyone to care---but remember the buzz surrounding the talk of Holyfield-Tyson 3?

Whether people like it or not, the old-timers generate more interest among the heavyweights than anyone around today." - H-Henry

Here's one reason it couldn't be made --- Morrison isn't a legend D

[tonymush]

"I think its cool. They have the 'Legends of Boxing' title after all (Larry Holmes was the last person I know of to hold it though). I dont see why you couldnt make Morrison-Tyson, Bowe-Lewis, etc in exhibition bouts, and bill the card as 'The Fights That Never Happened'. Albeit being a little too late for anyone to care---but remember the buzz surrounding the talk of Holyfield-Tyson 3?

Whether people like it or not, the old-timers generate more interest among the heavyweights than anyone around today." - H-Henry

Here's one reason it couldn't be made --- Morrison isn't a legend D

and has aids

[dempseyfire]

And did anyone care about that Legends of Boxing series which saw the rematch btw Holmes and Weaver about 20 years too late?

Let these guys live regular lives and not get their heads knocked around in their 40s and 50s . . . after the ugly fiasco that was Tyson-McBride I don't know why anyone would want to see Tyson fight again.

[The Great John L]

Let these guys live regular lives and not get their heads knocked around in their 40s and 50s . . .