Mike Tyson on Landing Knockouts and His Relationship With Muhammad Ali

For the fourth edition of its Fight Night Series, EA Sports has paired two boxing legends together, Muhammad Ali, and the youngest-ever heavyweight champion who would grow up idolizing Ali, "Iron" Mike Tyson.

Before the game hits the shelves this summer, we caught up to the real Mike Tyson to talk about his possible future in boxing, how he sees himself faring against Ali and, believe it or not, why mini-Mike isn't the greatest virtual fighter of all time. At least, not yet.

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Ray Holloman: It's been a few years since your last fight against Kevin McBride and the last time we talked in the then-MCI Center in Washington. How has life been treating the former champ?

Mike Tyson: Life is wonderful, I'm very grateful.

You'll be on the cover with Muhammad Ali for Fight Night Round 4, what's it like to be accorded a s

pot like that, knowing that you, over other great heavies that have fought in the interim, Larry Holmes, Evander Holyfield, Lennox Lewis to just to name a few, will be up there with Muhammad?

Yeah, that's very exciting, I'm very excited, thrilled about the whole situation You have no idea how very grateful I am for the opportunity to be on the cover. I've played the game on a few occasions, and the animation it's so incredible, so moving, to watch two combatants fight each other in the ring. I just can't believe it. It's so realistic.

So how are you at the game?

I wasn't good as Mike Tyson, but as Joe Frazier, I kicked ass.

I know Ali has been out to several of your fights, and was even at the last fight of your career, what's the relationship like between you two?

It's very respectful. I have the greatest admiration for Ali. I'm just happy with the fact he knows my name, that's the greatest honor.

How do you fight a fighter like a prime Ali? Do you make it an inside fight, and if so, how do you get past that great, accurate jab that Ali had?

On the game, I would get on the inside pretty well, They have it like no other game where you can be so agile and elusive, so I could do well in that category in the game.

And would reality match electronic fantasy?

I don't know, it's hard to anticipate that. You have to actually be there fighting to know. That's the thing, you know what you want to do in a fight, but what can you actually do when you're in there? What can you do, if just playing or if you actually fought are different.

For nearly a quarter of a century, everything Mike Tyson does is a news story. What's it like to live with that sort of constant attention around you? And do you feel it's still that way?

Well, you know at this point in my life I became too old, spiritually and emotionally, in everything, I became old, I'm an old-timer. I just hang out with my kids. There's not much that makes me interesting right now. I'm a very boring guy.

For those of us who are always ringside, what does it feel like to knock another man out whose trained for weeks to beat you? Is there a very primal nature to landing that blow, or is it something that it's just so technical, you're locked into your fight game plan, that you don't think much of it?

You don't think about it. It's more of an art form, something that you practice 6-8 weeks in a gym and then you look forward doing same thing when you get into a fight.

The name long ago leapt from noun to adjective, which is to say that anyone who can throw a knockout punch now gets compared back to Mike Tyson. What's it like to still be the standard for heavyweight punching power years after your career has ended?

I don't know. I guess I could be honored to a certain degree. People have to understand, it's not being able to throw a powerful punch, it's landing on the target. A great deal of people punch extremely hard. The objective is to put that punch on the target

Mike Tyson Timeline

With the documentary 'Tyson' coming out next month, and a video game cover on the horizon, Mike Tyson is back in the public eye after a turbulent career inside and outside of the ring. Take a look back at the highs and lows by clicking through the gallery.

Shea Walsh, AP

November, 2007: Tyson was sentenced to 24 hours in jail and three years' probation for cocaine possession and driving under the influence in Scottsdale, Ariz.

Tim Hacker, AP

June, 2005: Tyson is floored by Kevin McBride in the sixth round at the MCI Center in Washington. McBride was declared the winner when Tyson quit after the sixth round in his final bout.

Paul J. Richards, AFP / Getty Images

January, 2002: One of Tyson's infamous moments occured at a news conference fight with Lennox Lewis, saying "I want your heart, I want to eat your children."

Don Emmert, AFP / Getty Images

June, 1997: In one of the most shocking moments in sports history, Tyson bites Evander Holyfield's ear during their title fight. Iron Mike claimed it was retaliation for Holyfield's head-butts.

Jeff Jaynes, AFP / Getty Images

August, 1995: In his first bout after his release from prison, Tyson knocks out Peter McNeeley in the first round at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

Holly Stein, Getty Images

February, 1992: Tyson is convicted of raping a beauty pageant contestant. He served three years in prison, but says at Cannes in 2008, "I thought (the conviction) was wrong, I thought it was unfair."

T. Strattman, All Sport / Getty Images

February, 1990: In one of the biggest upsets in boxing history, James "Buster" Douglas knocks out Tyson in the Tokyo fight. Douglas was a 42-to-1 underdog at the time.

Reuters / Corbis

February, 1988: Tyson marries TV star Robin Givens, who later described their union as, "torture, pure hell, worse than anything I could possibly imagine."

Maria R Bastone, AFP / Getty Images

November, 1986: Tyson, just 20 years and four months old, becomes the youngest heavyweight champ with a second-round knockout of Trevor Berbick.

Douglas C. Pizac, AP

There is no category for this on the CompuBox sheets, but if I had to guess, I'd say the all-time career leader in guys knocked out before they ever got off the stool is Mike Tyson. Many of your opponents, particularly in your first championship run, seemed to have lost before they ever threw a punch. What's it like to be able to get into another fighter's head like that?

Fighting is more spiritual and emotional than it is physical. The objection is to get in a guy's head, that's also a part of warfare, psychological warfare.

We all know how much Cus D'Amato meant to your life, helping to develop you from a street tough kid to a world-class boxing champion. Have you thought about working with younger kids and in some way carry on that legacy?

Well, I don't know yet, sir. I don't know yet. I don't know if my life is headed in that direction. It takes a skillful person, as far as timing, dedication. It takes a special person to do. I don't know if I'm that person.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 11)

3-09-2009 @ 6:11AM

bigbfmasters said...

tyson is a boxing legend.

3-09-2009 @ 7:21AM

luigi said...

I don't believe any body could have beat Ali in his day. Mike Tyson was great Ihad a lot of respect for him until I saw the interview on tv and he was bragging about beating & robbing old men, he got a kick out of it, he is convict & a street bum. "SEEYA"

3-09-2009 @ 1:30PM

axlrose4eva said...

uhh...Mike Tyson was not very good, and Ali wouldnt stand a chance against some other boxers in their heyday. You can say, "in his prime etc..." but Tyson beat chumps. Best fighter of that era in their prime was Riddick Bowe...of course Riddick Bowe decided he liked big macs more than championships. If Golata had an ounce of heart he would be the best fighter of the time. The foul pole unfortunately was a quitter and a guy who punched people in the groin.

Best fighter of all time is Pretty Boy Floyd, undefeated at several weight classes, too fast and too smart for other fighters, greatest heavyweight is either Foreman or Marciano. I know people will want to go back further, but I really think that louis and dempsey were great for their time, but the nutrition, and information just would be too much for themt o overcome. Ali would have been dropped by a guy with Marciano's punching power and heart. Guys with heart always made Ali look ugly, if he couldnt intimidate you, he was forced to box...and he really wasnt that good of a boxer. Smart fighter, intimidator, lucky (kinda lucky Liston was paid to take a dive and Frazier had kidney failure and Foreman is the only person in history to become smarter from blows to the head.)

Tyson beat chumps. Im sorry, he was my hero as a kid, but its true. He beat chumps. Like Ali, when he faced a guy with heart he struggled, unlike Ali he had no passion or desire. Hit Tyson back and he doesnt know what to do.

3-09-2009 @ 6:27AM

tuxnbud said...

anyone who saw this guy fight KNOWS he was the BEST ever............ Don King should rot in hell

3-09-2009 @ 10:40AM

klawtubu said...

Why should Don King rot in hell because Tyson was too stupid to know he was being robbed? please, there are far worse crimes being committed everyday then this simple crime of concious your refering to, Tyson should have stood in High School then he wouldn't be in the hole he's in today.

3-09-2009 @ 6:28AM

cdeadbeat said...

i still beleive she and don king ruined at least the second greatest fighter....i heard a woman say one time after we did pay per view,in the second round knock out...thats it...right then i knew.king was gonna make mike last the fights,TOOK HIS GAME AWAY

3-09-2009 @ 7:04AM

Bob said...

TYSON HAD IT. BUT IF YOU WASTE IT, IT DOESN'T MATTER WHO YOU ARE OR IN HIS CASE WHO YOU WERE.

3-09-2009 @ 7:06AM

josiewales08 said...

YOU MUST BE KIDDING ME....TYSON COULDN'T EVEN BE A SPARING PARTNER WITH ALI...IN FACT!! I THINK FORMAN AND SMOKING JOE COULD HAVE BEATEN TYSON. LETS NOT FORGET ALI FOUGHT ONCE A YEAR AND SOMETIMES TWICE IN ONE YEAR...AND ALI FOUGHT GUYS LIKE FORMAN SMOKN JOE BACK TO BACK TO BACK..SORRY FOLKS AND TYSON NEVER FOUGHT ANYONE AND WHEN HE DID, HE GOT BEAT OR STARTED BITTING LIKE A LITTLE GIRL....TYSON GARBAGE

3-09-2009 @ 10:32AM

Tom said...

Did you ever get the chance to see a Tyson fight?? I'm not saying Ali isn't one of the greatest,(certainly the greatest of his era)I'm just saying when Tyson hit someone the limo drivers in the parking lot heard the impact. Tyson didn't need 12 rounds, much less 15 rounds... There was no showboating, or stretchin it out for the fans.. He got in the ring, and as the saying goes, threw punches with bad intentions..It sucks that he went looney tunes and pissed his career away, I had the opportunity to see a number of his fights live... The energy he brought into the arena was unreal...

3-09-2009 @ 7:09AM

AND ALSO LETS NOT FORGET ALI FOUGHT 15 ROUNDS NOT 12....

3-09-2009 @ 8:30AM

watejs said...

josie wales nice name. I agree 12 rounds TYSON time 15 Ali time. Boxing is not the same I've been a boxing fan since the early seventies I have Ali's Auto, Sugar Ray leonard, Larry Holmes, most resent Frank Bruno he signed his book Fighting back. I lived in Las Vegas for a year Tyson trained thier and alot of other in thier time. Well josie Wales take care hope to her from you soon.

Sincerely

Cheif Dan George

3-09-2009 @ 9:54AM

Jason said...

I agree that He was not a great person but how many times did he need even all 12 rounds before knocking the opponent out? Most of his fights lasted a couple rounds and the opponent was on the floor. Mike was a good fighter, not the most technical fighter but still he was good at what he did. He was more of a brawler than anything and I think he threw alot of people off with that style of fighting. Its easy to get caught in a very technical style of fighting when you train as a boxer and sometimes instincts and letting go of some of the technical aspects help more than great form. I think in order to compare Ali and Mike you would have to have them fight in there prime since they had such different styles it is hard to say how they would come together in the ring without seeing it.

3-09-2009 @ 7:18AM

Good2Go said...

Best left hook,Right uppercut i ever seen..!

3-09-2009 @ 7:30AM

dxxy4u said...

Mike Tyson would be just another Gym hand if he came along during Ali's time. That's when the #2 man REALLY got a shot at the Heavyweight. Now they pick and choose. Ali came from the Most Talented Stable of Boxers ever. Each one could be Heavy Weight today. Ernie Shavers, Joe Fraizer, Ken Norton, just name a few. Tyson was the Best among second rated BUMBS.

3-11-2009 @ 8:26AM

Rich Cantwell said...

dxxy4u, You are the only one making any sense here. This axelrose person must be on drugs or only abour 15 years old. Anyone who ACTUALLY SAW Ali in his prime (pre-Frazier) would never make such a stupid comment as "Ali wasn't really a good boxer". That's like saying Babe Ruth didn't have much power. Very simple, Tyson expressed actual fear at the prospect of fighting Foreman. Saying that he had too much "respect" for him.
He stated that Foreman was the only fighter who probably hit harder. ALI KNOCKED OUT FOREMAN!
'NUFF SAID!

3-09-2009 @ 7:37AM

dsamuda438 said...

Mike Tyson was one of the greatest fighters of all times. I beleive that he was ruined by Don King. You can't make good money on a fighter who keeps knocking out his opponnents in the first 3 rounds. They ruined him mentally, even though he wasn't that bright to begin with, then they took all his money. The fight game is corrupt, it is not about the fight, but who can make them the most money

3-09-2009 @ 7:40AM

Tyson NEVER would had gotten to fight Ali. George Foreman, Joe Fraizer or Ken Norton would had cleaned his clock before he was ever the #2 Contender.