Mike Tyson has likely put mountain-sized fear in the hearts of retired fighters who are currently on the exhibition boxing circuit.
He spoke with T.I. on IG Live last month and said he’d like to make a return to boxing, not professionally, but for charity.
Tyson, who’s 53, said the motivation to get back into the ring is to help those who are struggling with homelessness and/or drug addiction. He admitted that his current level of conditioning and timing is far from where it should be in order to fight and told T.I. that working out has done a number on his body.
“I’ve been hitting the mitts for the last week. That’s been tough, my body is really jacked up and really sore from hitting the mitts,” Tyson confided. “I’ve been working out, I’ve been trying to get in the ring. I think I’m going to box some exhibitions and get in shape.”
“I want to go to the gym and get in shape to be able to box three- or four-round exhibitions for some charities and stuff, some charity exhibitions, make some money, help some homeless and drug-affected motherf—–s like me,” he explained.
Tyson ran down his workout routine as he spoke, a regimen that includes cardio and strength training.
“I do around two hours on cardio, I do the bike and I do the treadmill for an hour, then I do some light weights, I do 300, 250 reps,” Tyson detailed. “Then I start my day with the boxing thing. Then I go in there and hit the mitts, 30 minutes, 25 minutes, start getting in better condition. I’m starting to put those combinations together. My body is in pain, I feel like three guys kicked the s–t out of me.”
Tyson’s description of how his body felt didn’t match an Instagram video that he uploaded on Friday, May 1, that showed him practicing with a trainer.
His famous combination of speed and power was displayed, something that seemed to cause major excitement about his boxing return, even if it’s for charity and not a belt.
Tyson’s video impressed people so much that he was advised to forget about fighting in an exhibition bout and head straight for active fighters like 34-year-old Deontay Wilder, who was undefeated as professional until losing the WBC heavyweight title in February.
“Okay I’ve watched this about 53x I am convinced you could put Wilder to sleep…TODAY!” one of Tyson’s followers wrote.
There was someone else who disagreed with that fan and said Tyson getting back into the ring, whether for charity or professionally, is a horrible idea. That person was George Foreman, who communicated that to World Boxing News earlier this week.
“Tyson has done enough great things for boxing,” said Foreman. “No more is needed. He is in the Hall of Fame and was a mighty puncher.”
Tyson’s last professional fight was on June 11, 2005. He suffered a defeat to Kevin McBride after not answering the bell for the seventh round.
