Tyson Part Two: 'I've been made to look like a court jester'

[gasman]

Excellent interview, really enjoyed that.

[dberry]

Thank you

[oliverfennell]

Quality mate.

Don't you just hate the idiots that these events attract?

Exactly. Why would you waste £75 or however much it was to go and heckle someone? If you don't like him stay away. I bet these people are just trying to look hard in front of their mates, knowing that Tyson can't exactly come into the crowd and kick the poop out of them.

Or even better, he DID do that, and then they'd sue him for millions.

[oliverfennell]

As for Tyson saying boxing ruined his life and that of his family... without boxing, he may well have been dead by now, or at least incarcerated for a very long time.

Even if people may have taken advantage of him, and even if he squandered his riches (which presumably is largely his own fault), he now spends his retirement getting paid to travel the world and have people fawn over him, and that too is the result of boxing. It's a hard life.

Even if the worst-case scenario of him dying young or being jailed long-term didn't come to pass, what could a non-educated man with his criminal record expect from life? Unemployment benefits or minimum wage at best. If he really thinks boxing was so bad to him, he has to consider what his life would have been like without it.

[jizzle]

As for Tyson saying boxing ruined his life and that of his family... without boxing, he may well have been dead by now, or at least incarcerated for a very long time.

Even if people may have taken advantage of him, and even if he squandered his riches (which presumably is largely his own fault), he now spends his retirement getting paid to travel the world and have people fawn over him, and that too is the result of boxing. It's a hard life.

Even if the worst-case scenario of him dying young or being jailed long-term didn't come to pass, what could a non-educated man with his criminal record expect from life? Unemployment benefits or minimum wage at best. If he really thinks boxing was so bad to him, he has to consider what his life would have been like without it.

What's the view like from up there? Worst post of the week!

[oliverfennell]

As for Tyson saying boxing ruined his life and that of his family... without boxing, he may well have been dead by now, or at least incarcerated for a very long time.

Even if people may have taken advantage of him, and even if he squandered his riches (which presumably is largely his own fault), he now spends his retirement getting paid to travel the world and have people fawn over him, and that too is the result of boxing. It's a hard life.

Even if the worst-case scenario of him dying young or being jailed long-term didn't come to pass, what could a non-educated man with his criminal record expect from life? Unemployment benefits or minimum wage at best. If he really thinks boxing was so bad to him, he has to consider what his life would have been like without it.

What's the view like from up there? Worst post of the week!

I'm not looking down on him. Far from it. His achievements speak for themselves. I also do have some sympathy for certain aspects of his life. But for him to say boxing "ruined his life" is just absurd. What was this great life he had before boxing? What would he have done without it?

[jizzle]

As for Tyson saying boxing ruined his life and that of his family... without boxing, he may well have been dead by now, or at least incarcerated for a very long time.

Even if people may have taken advantage of him, and even if he squandered his riches (which presumably is largely his own fault), he now spends his retirement getting paid to travel the world and have people fawn over him, and that too is the result of boxing. It's a hard life.

Even if the worst-case scenario of him dying young or being jailed long-term didn't come to pass, what could a non-educated man with his criminal record expect from life? Unemployment benefits or minimum wage at best. If he really thinks boxing was so bad to him, he has to consider what his life would have been like without it.

What's the view like from up there? Worst post of the week!

I'm not looking down on him. Far from it. His achievements speak for themselves. I also do have some sympathy for certain aspects of his life. But for him to say boxing "ruined his life" is just absurd. What was this great life he had before boxing? What would he have done without it?

It just reminds me of people who - and I can't believe that I am comparing these two sportsmen in the same sentence - chastised Stan Collymore for saying he was depressed. Just because you have money, fame, glory doesn't mean these compensate for emotions like guilt, betrayal, depression and despair.

Yes he squandered money but not nearly as much as he lost through leeches and dubious businessmen. And what chance, as an uneducated man, does he stand with sharks circling around him holding 200 page contracts?

The question is, is it better to have had and lost, or to never had at all?

I know that if I had it, and Tyson definitely had it, and then experienced all the things that Tyson had- I would be spitting bitterness.

[oliverfennell]

Agreed. You're perfectly correct to say people can still suffer when they have riches in fame. Arguably more so. And I did say I do have sympathy for certain things. Most of the complaints he's had over the years, I have tended to have a sympathetic ear for. But "ruined his life"? Again, what kind of life did he have to ruin?

Even now, with all the regrets and bitterness, he must realise that without boxing, he would not now be getting royalties from an eponymous movie, bit parts in Hollywood films, wrestling matches, speaking engagements, and the travel that comes with these things.

As for ruining his family's life? Well, being related to one of the world's most famous people obviously has its disadvantages, but surely he can compare his childhood to that of his kids? Because of boxing, their father can comfortably house and feed them and provide good education and healthcare for them. That's a hell of a lot more than he had as a youth, before boxing.

[jizzle]

Agreed. You're perfectly correct to say people can still suffer when they have riches in fame. Arguably more so. And I did say I do have sympathy for certain things. Most of the complaints he's had over the years, I have tended to have a sympathetic ear for. But "ruined his life"? Again, what kind of life did he have to ruin?

Even now, with all the regrets and bitterness, he must realise that without boxing, he would not now be getting royalties from an eponymous movie, bit parts in Hollywood films, wrestling matches, speaking engagements, and the travel that comes with these things.

As for ruining his family's life? Well, being related to one of the world's most famous people obviously has its disadvantages, but surely he can compare his childhood to that of his kids? Because of boxing, his father can comfortably house and feed them and provide good education and healthcare for them. That's a hell of a lot more than he had as a youth, before boxing.

Concur but it works the other way as well which I don't think you appreciate (or at least it's not coming across in your posts!). There are plenty of people who are skint, living in rough areas and they are content, happy, with close, caring family and don't have to deal with the cr@p that Tyson went through.

Today, as it stands, the guy is a bankrupt. He has no money and any money earned is getting skimmed. This guy is the most ferocious heavyweight of all time (in my eyes!), a legend, a sporting athlete of the highest calibre and yet he's having to haul is ass to sh1tty dinner clubs in Wales to pay the bills. Damn that must hurt.

He was at his most stable when D'Amato was in his life and that old guy didn't want anything from him. Since his death it's been a tragic story. Would I trade my pretty normal existence for Tyson's? Not a chance. Would you?

[Wales]

he's having to haul is ass to sh1tty dinner clubs in Wales to pay the bills. Damn that must hurt.

Believe me, he wasnt hauling his ass to a shitty dinner club. Venue Cymru is anexceptional venue and I understand Mike stayed at the quay hotel, somewhere shirley bassey stays and flies in and out using a helicopter.

he wasnt in a premier inn.

[jizzle]

he's having to haul is ass to sh1tty dinner clubs in Wales to pay the bills. Damn that must hurt.

Believe me, he wasnt hauling his ass to a shitty dinner club. Venue Cymru is anexceptional venue and I understand Mike stayed at the quay hotel, somewhere shirley bassey stays and flies in and out using a helicopter.

he wasnt in a premier inn.

Fair enough...You know what I mean though

[Wales]

Yeah.

[oliverfennell]

There are plenty of people who are skint, living in rough areas and they are content, happy, with close, caring family.

Yes there are, but could you honestly imagine Tyson having turned out as one of those people?

This guy is the most ferocious heavyweight of all time (in my eyes!), a legend, a sporting athlete of the highest calibre and yet he's having to haul is ass to sh1tty dinner clubs in Wales to pay the bills. Damn that must hurt.

Of course, compared to being heavyweight champion of the world, hauling his ass to shitty dinner clubs in Wales must hurt. But my point is not comparing it to that, I'm comparing it to what would have been without boxing. Hauling his ass to shitty dinner clubs in Wales is a whole lot better than being in jail, or umemployed in the Bronx. Again, that's my point - boxing "ruined" his life? What amazing path was marked out for him without it?

[mickey1975]

Bankrupt or not,his living allowance from the court will far exceed what 99% of the general public could hope to earn.He got £30,000 for an afternoon in Leeds,and i would imagine similar amounts elsewhere.He once even said "i may be broke,but ive got rich kids".A simple exclusive signing session could net him more than us lot get in a year,and this isnt going to diminish,if anything,he will get more popular as the last true heavyweight to really take your breath away.A signed Tyson programme is worth about £180,a Lewis one about £40.Not comparing their ability,just saying Mike is an Icon

[tonyevs]

I can`t help getting the impression your not a great fan of Tysons? .. I`d maybe even expand that to say you seem as if your don`t like him as a person??

No doubt he gets asked the same old recycled questions numerous times every single time he meets with the fans .. I know they are the questions the majority of people will want to know( if they have never read many interviews with Tyson before) But I would like to talk the old fighters with Tyson.. not how he`d fair against them, but how he saw their styles and fighting technique. Tyson is said to be a very good boxing historian .. I`d hate to waste my time asking his view of fantasy fights etc.

Perhaps when you sit down with him talking about the old fighters you can show me how it's done Tony?

I`ll be honest here then.
Your interview was no better or no worse than the thousands of interviews that have been done on Tyson before. It gets so tedious hearing the same mythical questions posed .. as I`m sure Tyson has of answering them.

Tyson has aired his views and opinions regarding being taken advantage of and being basically ripped off since before he actually retired. Can anybody say there was anything in that interview that was new??

What I actually meant by talking old timers with him, wasn`t how I would conduct and interview with him .. Interviewing fighters isn`t my thing .. I can only claim to be a boxing fan in that respect. What I meant was if I was ever lucky enough to spend any length of time in his company.

I`m sure the editor of the local paper you wrote that for was happy with it. But to be honest it wasn`t anything special or insightfull towards Tyson from anything I`d not read a hundred times before...


Thats not to say I`m not incredibly jealous of you for having the oppurtunity to pose the questions you did

[oliverfennell]

That's just it, Tony - he was writing for a broad-spectrum newspaper. The readers are typically not hardcore fans. However "Tyson" as a mere name is enough to draw attention due to its star power, and a lot of people who'd never normally pause on a boxing piece will have read that.

Agreed that there were no amazing insights, but given a) the remit of the publication, and b) the amount of time Martin had, you can't really have asked for more. As it was, I think he realised the quotes themselves were nothing earth-shattering, but was good about the piece was how Martin conveyed the atmosphere of the meeting and even managed to capture a feeling of Tyson's personality.

Given greater access to the man, and a commission from a boxing magazine, there is no doubt Martin would have done greater justice to the Q&A aspect of things. As it was, he did a very good job for a Joe Public readership.

[Captain Hook]

I can`t help getting the impression your not a great fan of Tysons? .. I`d maybe even expand that to say you seem as if your don`t like him as a person??

No doubt he gets asked the same old recycled questions numerous times every single time he meets with the fans .. I know they are the questions the majority of people will want to know( if they have never read many interviews with Tyson before) But I would like to talk the old fighters with Tyson.. not how he`d fair against them, but how he saw their styles and fighting technique. Tyson is said to be a very good boxing historian .. I`d hate to waste my time asking his view of fantasy fights etc.

Perhaps when you sit down with him talking about the old fighters you can show me how it's done Tony?

I`ll be honest here then.
Your interview was no better or no worse than the thousands of interviews that have been done on Tyson before. It gets so tedious hearing the same mythical questions posed .. as I`m sure Tyson has of answering them.

Tyson has aired his views and opinions regarding being taken advantage of and being basically ripped off since before he actually retired. Can anybody say there was anything in that interview that was new??

What I actually meant by talking old timers with him, wasn`t how I would conduct and interview with him .. Interviewing fighters isn`t my thing .. I can only claim to be a boxing fan in that respect. What I meant was if I was ever lucky enough to spend any length of time in his company.

I`m sure the editor of the local paper you wrote that for was happy with it. But to be honest it wasn`t anything special or insightfull towards Tyson from anything I`d not read a hundred times before...


Thats not to say I`m not incredibly jealous of you for having the oppurtunity to pose the questions you did

Tony, that is the most naive post I've read on here in a while.

You seem an expert on Tyson, or obviously think you are. Given his current state of mind I was lucky to get any time with him for a talk. Do you think he is able to sit down for half an hour and discuss with a regional news reporter the La Motta v Robinson series, or the merits of Marciano's left hook? How about his favourite Jack Dempsey bout? Give me a break, the guy walks in, is befuddled and volatile, up and down like a yo yo and is about to go on stage ten minutes later. I fought hard to get that, nobody else in Wales got it and I'm proud to have had a little of his time. I never blow my own trumpet on here but I think I did OK given the circumstances!

I can happily take criticism, you take it a lot in this job, but your post is wide of the mark and the people whose opinion I respect seem to disagree with you.

That said, thanks for your feedback...it's nice to know such a talented scribe took the time to read my little article

[Captain Hook]

That's just it, Tony - he was writing for a broad-spectrum newspaper. The readers are typically not hardcore fans. However "Tyson" as a mere name is enough to draw attention due to its star power, and a lot of people who'd never normally pause on a boxing piece will have read that.

Agreed that there were no amazing insights, but given a) the remit of the publication, and b) the amount of time Martin had, you can't really have asked for more. As it was, I think he realised the quotes themselves were nothing earth-shattering, but was good about the piece was how Martin conveyed the atmosphere of the meeting and even managed to capture a feeling of Tyson's personality.

Given greater access to the man, and a commission from a boxing magazine, there is no doubt Martin would have done greater justice to the Q&A aspect of things. As it was, he did a very good job for a Joe Public readership.

Cheers mate, very kind of you...

And to everyone else.

Tony's entitled to his opinion. There's always one, it's usually Tony :)

[tonyevs]

Perhaps when you sit down with him talking about the old fighters you can show me how it's done Tony?

I`ll be honest here then.
Your interview was no better or no worse than the thousands of interviews that have been done on Tyson before. It gets so tedious hearing the same mythical questions posed .. as I`m sure Tyson has of answering them.

Tyson has aired his views and opinions regarding being taken advantage of and being basically ripped off since before he actually retired. Can anybody say there was anything in that interview that was new??

What I actually meant by talking old timers with him, wasn`t how I would conduct and interview with him .. Interviewing fighters isn`t my thing .. I can only claim to be a boxing fan in that respect. What I meant was if I was ever lucky enough to spend any length of time in his company.

I`m sure the editor of the local paper you wrote that for was happy with it. But to be honest it wasn`t anything special or insightfull towards Tyson from anything I`d not read a hundred times before...


Thats not to say I`m not incredibly jealous of you for having the oppurtunity to pose the questions you did

Tony, that is the most naive post I've read on here in a while.

You seem an expert on Tyson, or obviously think you are. Given his current state of mind I was lucky to get any time with him for a talk. Do you think he is able to sit down for half an hour and discuss with a regional news reporter the La Motta v Robinson series, or the merits of Marciano's left hook? How about his favourite Jack Dempsey bout? Give me a break, the guy walks in, is befuddled and volatile, up and down like a yo yo and is about to go on stage ten minutes later. I fought hard to get that, nobody else in Wales got it and I'm proud to have had a little of his time. I never blow my own trumpet on here but I think I did OK given the circumstances!

I can happily take criticism, you take it a lot in this job, but your post is wide of the mark and the people whose opinion I respect seem to disagree with you.

That said, thanks for your feedback...it's nice to know such a talented scribe took the time to read my little article

Appols if I upset you .. your claim of being able to take critism is obviously not true ..

Nope. Never claimed anytime to be a Tyson expert. And the latter of your description of Tyson yet again conveys the impression your not his biggest fan as a person...

Appols once again for upsetting you .. whilst I never claim to be a tallented scribe either - my opinion seems to mean alot more to you than you care to admit judging by your reaction :(

[Captain Hook]

Sorry Tony at what point did i say I was upset? I'm fine with it mate i just came back at you. You haven't folded already?

Why, if I had a negative opinion of tyson, would I spent hours of my own time waiting around for a few minutes with him. I'm a boxing fan too Tony, and like you I'm entitled to my opinion.

Don't worry Tony, I still love ya :)

[Wales]

I dont see how telling us what tyson is really like, in person, means hook doesnt like him as a person. I just dont understand where telling it as it is can be a negative.

[Captain Hook]

Puzzled me a bit too....

[Matt W]

The thing that always comes through in any interview with Tyson is he just doesn't seem to take responsibility for what happens in his life. Until he does, and until he stops portraying himself / allowing himself to be a victim, he's not going to be happy. To blame this on boxing is too simple IMO. Undoubtedly bad things have happened in his life but he's had incredible opportunities too, as well as more than his fair share of second chances. Ultimately it comes down to making the most of the skills and opportunities you're given in life to get to a point where you are happy. For whatever reason Tyson hasn't been able to do this and to suggest this is all everybody else's fault, well, I don't buy it.

As for the interviews, I thought they were great. Tyson is a very volatile character and to get anything out of him at all in 10 minutes is an achievement. Hook's lucky Tyson didn't offer to 'fornicate' with him

[tonyevs]

Don't worry Tony, I still love ya :)

Thats good then

Either way .. you have achieved something that I`d dream of doing. Good on you

[mickey1975]

Ive heard really good reports of how he was in Leeds a couple of weeks ago.Not a fault with him,apparentley,but the lads i spoke to would have been on the top table.He didnt sign anything though,except for a select few.Its worth a lot more to him not to(exclusive contracts,etc)