In a recent interview with Sugar Ray Leonard, Mike Tyson gets emotional as he recalls his love for the ring. On the former boxer’s podcast, Hotboxin With Mike Tyson, both professional boxer’s compare life inside and outside of the ring, Tyson tells Leonard that he fears the man he used to be.
“I know the art of fight, I know the art of war, that’s all I ever studied,” Tyson began before getting choked up on his words. “That’s why they feared me when I was in the ring, I was an annihilator. It’s all I was born for. Now those days are gone it’s empty, I’m nothing. I’m working on the art of humbleness… That’s the reason I’m crying cause I’m not that person no more, and I miss him. Because sometimes I feel like a b*tch because I don’t want that person to come out because if he comes out hell will come with him.”
Sugar Ray Leonard retired from the ring in 1997 and Mike Tyson retired in 2005. Leonard goes onto share that he feels his life post-retirement has made him a better person. Tyson, on the other hand, tells that he hates the guy he used to be, “And it’s not fun at all. I’m not trying to sound cool like I’m a tough guy…It’s just that I hate that guy I’m scared of him.”
Later on in the episode, Tyson refers to the boxing sport as “spiritual” and “unconsciousness.” “When you’re really fighting you don’t know what you’re doing it just BOOM POW, actions are happening.” An agreeing Sugar Ray Leonard then chimes in, challenging Chicago Bears, Eben Britton. “If I was fighting you, I wouldn’t have to look at your body,” Leonard said. “I’ll just go there. My hands know where to go… You wanna try?” “No. No, man. Ray, f*ck no dude!” Britton responded.
