Boxing legend Mike Tyson has to fight back his tears when discussing his transition from an elite boxer to a mere spectator.
Regarded as one of the greatest boxers of all-time, ‘Iron Mike’ hanged up his gloves in 2005 while holding the record as the youngest heavyweight to capture a world title and the first heavyweight boxer to hold three belts simultaneously.
In a recent episode of his podcast, Hotboxin’ with Mike Tyson, where he had a chat with fellow boxing legend Sugar Ray Leonard, the former undisputed champion revealed he feels empty after retirement from boxing.
“I’m a f***ing student of war. I know all the warriors. From Charlemagne to Achilles – the number one warrior of all warriors – and then Alexander and Napoleon, I know them all,” Tyson claimed.
“I read about them all. I studied them all. I know the art of fighting, I know the art of war, that’s all I ever studied.
“That’s why I’m so feared, that’s why they feared me when I was in the ring. I was an annihilator. It’s all I was born for.”
Humbled
The 53-year old legend broke down in tears as he missed the times when he dominated the heavyweight division and now feels ‘nothing’ as his glory days in the sport are over.
“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 because I’m not that person no more, and I miss him.”
“Because sometimes I feel like a b****, because I don’t want that person to come out because if he comes out, hell is coming with him.”
“And it’s not funny at all. I sound cool, like I’m a tough guy [but] I hate that guy. I’m scared of him.”
Inspired
Continuing, ‘The Baddest Man On The Planet’ thanked Leonard for inspiring him to pursue boxing when he was feeling lost during his teenage years.
“I’m 13 years old, I was locked up in juvenile [detention]. You’re fighting [Wilfred Benitez in 1979] a master that was champion of the world at 17 – not amateur, professional.”
“Now he’s 21, fighting you. I can’t even talk… you inspired me so f***ing much.”
“Then I saw you fight [Roberto] Duran. It changed my life, I thought ‘this is what I’m going to be’… You don’t understand. You’re immortal to me.”
Watch the full video below:
(Featured Image Source: Instagram/ Mike Tyson and YouTube/ Hotboxin’ With Mike Tyson Podcast)