Mike Tyson Reveals How He Survived Ugly Street Fights

Mike Tyson revealed how he was able to withstand ugly street fights during his childhood years.

Nobody can deny that Tyson is one of the best boxers of all time. Back in the day, Iron Mike’s incredible punching power came with the baddest demeanor the boxing world has ever witnessed. Much of what Tyson has become during his prime was courtesy of his late mentor, Cus D’Amato. Under D’Amato’s wing, Tyson became the youngest heavyweight champion of the world. However, before D’Amato turned him into a ferocious beast inside the ring, Tyson was once a victim of abuse and suffered countless bullying in the streets of Brooklyn, New York.

In a rare video call interview with New York rapper Fat Joe, Tyson revealed how he survived the ugliest street fights during his childhood years. Joe started the conversation by revealing that he always defended himself even against much bigger and older opponents. The rapper also told Tyson that he regularly got beat up during his high school days, but despite getting “pounded,” Joe always stepped up and hit the toughest guy around.

Tyson affirmed Joe’s revelations and said that he knows the feeling of getting beat up. The legendary boxer then revealed that one thing he realized about ugly street fights was that people tend to help him when they see him fight back.

“I know that feeling Joe, you know what I found out about life Joe?, and I found this (too) about people. When they see you fight back, they help. If you will fight back they’ll help you,” Tyson pointed out.

When Joe followed up Tyson’s reflection by emphasizing that fighting back is the rule of the ghetto since day one, the 53-year-old barged in with, “Yes, exactly! 100%!”

Through the years, Tyson has changed his ways. Nowadays, he seldom gets in trouble, especially in a fight. However, in an episode of “Hotboxin’ with Mike Tyson,” Tyson got emotional during an open talk with fellow boxing icon Sugar Ray Leonard and admitted that he misses his old self.

“I know the art of fight, I know the art of war, that’s all I ever studied. 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 bitch, because I don’t want that person to come out because if he comes out hell will come with him. And I’m scared of him,” Tyson admitted.