McGirt: Tyson training hard!

January 15, 2005

By Lisa Scott

'Iron' Mike Tyson has the best curve ball in the sport of boxing. Weeks after telling the press that he no longer has an interest in fighting and that he may never step foot in the ring again, the former two-time heavyweight champ has hired James 'Buddy' McGirt to train him and has spent the week at McGirt's gym in Vero Beach - all amid rumors and statements from the legendary Roberto Duran that he was pegged to take over the role as Tyson's new trainer.
Initially, the 38 year old Tyson sought McGirt's services prior to his fight with Clifford Etienne in 2003. When McGirt declined, the highly respected Freddie Roach was brought in for Tyson's fights with Etienne and then Danny Williams last July.

********* spoke to McGirt.

Are you now officially Mike Tyson's new trainer?
Yep. We've been working together all this week. Mike is going to take Saturday and Sunday off and we go back to the gym again on Monday. Let me tell ya, working with Mike has been really exciting for me AND it's a great learning experience. It's made me realize that every coach has their masterpiece... and Mike Tyson is Cus D'Amato's masterpiece. What Cus taught him... what Cus did with him... is truly amazing. I don't think Cus could have gotten the same results with of any other fighter. I always thought Cus' system was all about the peek-a-boo style. But it's not. It's about positioning yourself to throw punches... and Mike does it VERY well. Mike is extremely gifted and it's incredible to watch him. The other day Mike and I were walking down the street and I told him 'Man, you know... you're Cus D'Amato's masterpiece!' Mike agreed with me, and told me that Cus told him that he's one fighter that he never would have to protect.

What is your game plan for training Mike?
At this point in time, you can't have Mike try anything different. You have to get him back to what he used to do and what he knows best. There's no other way. The important thing now, is that Mike understands that.

What is you opinion on Mike's last fight with Danny Williams?
If Mike didn't injure his knee, I think he would have knocked Williams out. Once his knee went... that was it. Anyone could see that Mike injured his knee, because he grabbed it the minute it happened. Williams knew he had a hurt man in front of him and he took advantage of it.

How has Mike's knee been holding up during your training with him?
So far... his knee is looking good. He's been working out and it hasn't been giving him any problems.

What is Mike's training regimen like?
He's been working out three times a day! He does his running, conditioning and then boxing. But every day is different. He switches up and changes his routine around. But the important thing is that he is training. In the gym, he's working on trying to do the things he used to do, and to go back to the style that he used to have. He wants to get away from relying on one punch. He's focusing on a lot on combinations.

Do you feel that Mike has a renewed interest in fighting? Does he seem to enjoy or look forward to his training?
Yes. Absolutely! I can tell just by the way he talks and the things he works on in the gym. For instance, he'll keep working on something until we both feel that it's right. If I tell him his balance is off, he'll keep working until his balance isn't off. In other words, he'll keep doing something until he gets it done the right way. It's interesting, but most importantly... it's a lot of fun.

Mike has long been the object of much scuttlebutt. Yet a few months ago, a vicious rumor was purposely circulated that he was 'depressed' and involving himself heavily with 'cocaine.' In your time with Mike, has his persona or athletic performance indicated as such?
Not at all. Seeing the way that Mike has been working in the gym, the interest that he's been showing and all the running that he's been doing, it's hard for me to believe that he was doing all that stuff. People will always talk about other people, no matter what. Especially about Mike. If people don't know what he's doing, they'll take something small and make something big out of it.

I'm hearing that Mike's entourage consists of only himself. There are no more hangers-on and he's re-dedicated himself. Is this true?
Absolutely true. And... there's no music in the gym while he's training either! Mike was down here doing roadwork on his own. When he came to me (last weekend), he told me what he wanted to do. I told him: 'I'm here baby, when you're ready... let me know!' The next morning at 6:30, my phone rings. It's Mike. He tells me: 'Lets Go!' I said: 'I'll see you at the gym in a few minutes!' Ever since that day, I've been waking up at 4:30 and 5:00 o'clock in the morning... just so I'm ready to go to the gym! (Laughing).

You have a huge stable of fighters and many have upcoming bouts, namely Arturo Gatti. How is it going with Tyson now in the mix?
In the times that Mike has decided to do his gym work in the afternoons, he'll work out a little bit and leave when he sees Arturo (or others) getting ready to train. He'll say 'Buddy, I'll be back when they're done.' And... Mike comes back! I don't have to look for him or nothing! Mike is good friends with Arturo and he knows that Arturo has a big fight coming up.

In 2003, Mike asked you to train him for his fight against Clifford Etienne but you declined. What were the circumstances behind your decision to instead train Clifford?
I had just made a commitment to Clifford. Then, the next day Mike called me. I couldn't break my word to Clifford. But after that fight, Mike told me that he understood why I did what I did and that he respected me for it. It was the first thing he said when he hugged me right after the fight. Now, when Clifford and Mike see each other in the gym, they joke around with each other about that fight.

You've known Mike since his amateur days. What did you think when you first saw him fight?
The first time I saw Mike fight was in 1983 at Grossingers. He was sparring with Frank Bruno. He was 16 years old and kicking the **** out of Frank! I thought: 'This guy is a KILLER!' Kevin Rooney put him in there with no head gear... well, it was a little head gear , but it looked like NO head gear to me! Mike was 16 years old and ran Frank Bruno right out of the ring! I thought 'DAMN!' Then, Al Certo leaned over to me and said 'You're looking at the next greatest heavyweight champion.' Then in 1985 or 1986, we fought on the same card together.

Any word on when Tyson will be fighting next?
I don't know. I haven't heard anything. I'm just waitin'... that's it.

What is your 'wish list' of opponents for Tyson? Who would you like to see him fight and in what order?
Honestly? It really doesn't make a difference. There's no one out there who can beat him. I know that! When his mind is right, there's no stopping Mike. Right now, he's got the right attitude. And, with that attitude... all I can say is that I'm glad that I'm in his corner! (Laughing)


Yep! I HOPE its for real this time! Just have him fight Brewster! I think he COULD be the best if he cuold get in the shape like holyfield is in.
TYSON CHAMP 2005!!!!!!!!!!!!

Foreman Did It, Tyson Can Too
by Stephen G. Terzian
01/15/05 - There is no reason why Mike Tyson cannot modify his style and really make it work well. Tyson has an excellent jab, but doesn't know it. He gets great extension on it for a short man with a short reach, and has been known to double and even triple jab with great effectiveness. When Mike jabs his way in his body is at a perfect angle vis a vis his opponent so that Tyson has the option of either ripping a left hook or left uppercut underneath, or throwing the straight right. He is also in a very good defensive position when jabbing.




George Foreman blew away his opponents with wrecking ball shots, and to tell you the truth I never saw him throw a jab from 1970 until 1974, when he threw a few pawing jabs at Ali's rope-a-dope nonsense. I then saw Foreman begin to use the jab more, with excellent effect, especially against Ron Lyle, and in the rematch with Joe Frazier. But it wasn't until 1986 that Foreman re-engineered himself from a sheer power punching monster to a boxer/puncher. And we all know what great success he had with this new style from 1987 and beyond: he practically knocked people out with that jab!

Mike Tyson--much slower now, much less head movement now, and certainly not needing to take too many more punches to the head, especially after the Holyfield and Lewis fights--needs to re-invent himself a bit. Don't tell me what an old dog can or cannot do: George Foreman had an even more successful career going from a pure slugger to a boxer/puncher, by learning to pace himself, by really developing a damaging jab, and by fighting smarter. Mike Tyson is the same age as Foreman was more or less when he began his second career in '86. He is also not 400+ pounds as Foreman weighed when he started training again.

Tyson's knockout power will always be there, and ultimately win the fight for him, but he just needs to learn to set those power shots up more wisely now, since he is past the point now of using his sheer youthful speed to dart inside and unleash them like he used to. Some trainer (or maybe I'll write to Tyson myself!) has to do a George Foreman-styled re-engineering number on Mike Tyson, and I believe he will be successful for a few more years to come, even winning a title along the way.

Email Stephen with any comments at haiassa@yahoo.com

-rabbitpunchboxing.com

Who ****in cares!!! Tyson is so far passed washed up it isn't even funny. Mcgirt should be ashamed of himself for saying that he thinks Tyson is still the man. I will bet a million dollars that he knows that he is full of **** in saying that. In fact I can see him laughing his ass off about making those rediculous statements. What a crock of ****!! Mcgirt is also overated as a trainer and I think is is crazy to take on Tyson. **** him and his fat ass face!!

Who ****in cares!!! Tyson is so far passed washed up it isn't even funny. Mcgirt should be ashamed of himself for saying that he thinks Tyson is still the man. I will bet a million dollars that he knows that he is full of **** in saying that. In fact I can see him laughing his ass off about making those rediculous statements. What a crock of ****!! Mcgirt is also overated as a trainer and I think is is crazy to take on Tyson. **** him and his fat ass face!!

We ****ing care dumbass. Its his life,,he was one of the greats,,he could still take out the whole division. You know you will watch his fight. Im not sayin he WILL be the best. I HOPE.
Its his last chance at 38. An your an *******.

We ****ing care dumbass. Its his life,,he was one of the greats,,he could still take out the whole division. You know you will watch his fight. Im not sayin he WILL be the best. I HOPE.
Its his last chance at 38. An your an *******.

i agree with u

We ****ing care dumbass. Its his life,,he was one of the greats,,he could still take out the whole division. You know you will watch his fight. Im not sayin he WILL be the best. I HOPE.
Its his last chance at 38. An your an *******.


..This from some homo queen who thinks he is Gwen!!!! lol lol lol Don't even try and tell me your a chick. If your a dude you should be ashamed to have gwenstefani as your screen name. loser!!!!!

If Roach cant get Tyson to win then i doubt McGirt could, Buddy's known for making his fighters box and thats not Tyson's style.

Tyson's getting boring, its always the same promises and the same excuses! How many times have we been told Tyson's really working hard, Tyson's in great shape and Tyson's still the man :rolleyes:

We ****ing care dumbass. Its his life,,he was one of the greats,,he could still take out the whole division. You know you will watch his fight. Im not sayin he WILL be the best. I HOPE.
Its his last chance at 38. An your an *******.


We all care, thats why these theads do so good. Its still Iron Mike Tyson, Pbds cares too other wise he wouldn't posted anything. When he fights again everyone will care as usual Why? Because Tyson is an notorious boxing legend that will always command the publics attention.

We all care, thats why these theads do so good. Its still Iron Mike Tyson, Pbds cares too other wise he wouldn't posted anything. When he fights again everyone will care as usual Why? Because Tyson is an notorious boxing legend that will always command the publics attention.


...Actually, he does still interest me and I would watch his next fight. However, I wouldn't pay good money to watch him fight a bum on PPV. He has absolutely nothing left and it amuses me to see people still saying he can get it done. The guy is finished as a top contender for sure. Anyone who doubts that is dilusional. Everytime he gets a new trainer they sing his praises like he is still Tyson in his prime.

Give me a break with this Tyson is washed up crap. If Tyson didnt mess up his knee he would have KOed Danny Williams by the third round. The heavyweight division today is really weak. Andrew Golota is the number 1 HW contender right now (that you can make a case for him being the HW champ)in the HW division right now and people seem to forget that Tyson anihilated him a short time ago.

Give me a break with this Tyson is washed up crap. If Tyson didnt mess up his knee he would have KOed Danny Williams by the third round. The heavyweight division today is really weak. Andrew Golota is the number 1 HW contender right now (that you can make a case for him being the HW champ)in the HW division right now and people seem to forget that Tyson anihilated him a short time ago.


....Golota is the Don KIng number one contender. He can put Golota up against any one of his guys any time he chooses. Todays Golota would whip Tyson pretty bad and that actually isn't saying much. Tyson quit against Williams like a little *****. He sat there on the canvas and didn't want to get up at all. He was begging the ref to call it!!!! Dude is just plain ****in sad!!!

....Golota is the Don KIng number one contender. He can put Golota up against any one of his guys any time he chooses. Todays Golota would whip Tyson pretty bad and that actually isn't saying much. Tyson quit against Williams like a little *****. He sat there on the canvas and didn't want to get up at all. He was begging the ref to call it!!!! Dude is just plain ****in sad!!!

I don't think Tyson quit, if anything he showed alot of heart in that fight because he could have quit after the knee injury. Tyson even said he wasn't going to quit so he fought it out and lost like a man.

It's like MJ trying to keep coming back to the NBA. He's still good but he is long past his prime.

Give me a break with this Tyson is washed up crap. If Tyson didnt mess up his knee he would have KOed Danny Williams by the third round. The heavyweight division today is really weak. Andrew Golota is the number 1 HW contender right now (that you can make a case for him being the HW champ)in the HW division right now and people seem to forget that Tyson anihilated him a short time ago.

EXACTLY!!! U are the man karma for u!

EXACTLY!!! U are the man karma for u!


...lol lol lol You Tyson nuthuggers are more pathetic than he is. If he scheduled a rematch with McNealy right now it would probably be even money. Tyson was overhyped to begin with and once he got exposed it was over more than ten years ago. It's far worse than the MJ analogy actually. The only thing Tyson beats these days is his own ****. A low IQ, half retard, social misfit, overated, walking piece of ****. **** him and his stupid ass fans!!! Klitschko fans take **** for being fanatical nuts but the Tyson fans are far worse for being diliusional mental cases.

Mike Tyson--much slower now, much less head movement now, and certainly not needing to take too many more punches to the head, especially after the Holyfield and Lewis fights--needs to re-invent himself a bit. Don't tell me what an old dog can or cannot do: George Foreman had an even more successful career going from a pure slugger to a boxer/puncher, by learning to pace himself, by really developing a damaging jab, and by fighting smarter. Mike Tyson is the same age as Foreman was more or less when he began his second career in '86. He is also not 400+ pounds as Foreman weighed when he started training again.

Tyson's knockout power will always be there, and ultimately win the fight for him, but he just needs to learn to set those power shots up more wisely now, since he is past the point now of using his sheer youthful speed to dart inside and unleash them like he used to. Some trainer (or maybe I'll write to Tyson myself!) has to do a George Foreman-styled re-engineering number on Mike Tyson, and I believe he will be successful for a few more years to come, even winning a title along the way.

Tyson does have a good jab, but the problem is it's a very offense orientated jab, not the type he could use from the outside because of his short reach. To get in punching range he needs to attack.
After a few rounds, his speed & upper body movement (his main defense & offense) dissipates rapidly. When the speed and movement is gone, Tyson is just a short heavyweight with short arms who'll get picked off at will by any decent heavyweight. Tyson is a shot fighter but the thing is he's still a very good heavyweight for 2-3 rounds. So if he's matched up correctly it's not beyond the realms of possibility that he could get a title shot (prob WBO). He's not going to have to win many fights before he's given a title fight ($$$ speaks, and people WILL pay to see him if he has a few successful comeback fights).

what happened to the tyson-roach tie-up? is this because roach concentrates more on manny? anyway, i will have to see tyson one last time to make a decision whether he should go or not. so one last fight won't hurt. besides, he still sttracts people into his fights, so what the heck...

Tyson does have a good jab, but the problem is it's a very offense orientated jab, not the type he could use from the outside because of his short reach. To get in punching range he needs to attack.
After a few rounds, his speed & upper body movement (his main defense & offense) dissipates rapidly. When the speed and movement is gone, Tyson is just a short heavyweight with short arms who'll get picked off at will by any decent heavyweight. Tyson is a shot fighter but the thing is he's still a very good heavyweight for 2-3 rounds. So if he's matched up correctly it's not beyond the realms of possibility that he could get a title shot (prob WBO). He's not going to have to win many fights before he's given a title fight ($$$ speaks, and people WILL pay to see him if he has a few successful comeback fights).


...Thats a pretty good analysis

...lol lol lol You Tyson nuthuggers are more pathetic than he is. If he scheduled a rematch with McNealy right now it would probably be even money. Tyson was overhyped to begin with and once he got exposed it was over more than ten years ago. It's far worse than the MJ analogy actually. The only thing Tyson beats these days is his own ****. A low IQ, half retard, social misfit, overated, walking piece of ****. **** him and his stupid ass fans!!! Klitschko fans take **** for being fanatical nuts but the Tyson fans are far worse for being diliusional mental cases.

:confused: dude are u ok? Sounds like your holding a grudge or somethin

hope he make a successful comeback again.....if he loses a gain, such a big loss for the boxing world.

:confused: dude are u ok? Sounds like your holding a grudge or somethin

he sounds like a lil *****.

pbds, dont hate on tyson. he will always be the man jus like when manny loses to morales of course the flips will still think hes the man. its just favorites idiot. get the stick outta ur ass.

:confused: dude are u ok? Sounds like your holding a grudge or somethin


....Nah, I just think the guy is scum. Holy was my favortie heavy back when he still had his marbles and I enjoyed seeing him beat Tysons ass twice.

Give me a break with this Tyson is washed up crap. If Tyson didnt mess up his knee he would have KOed Danny Williams by the third round. The heavyweight division today is really weak. Andrew Golota is the number 1 HW contender right now (that you can make a case for him being the HW champ)in the HW division right now and people seem to forget that Tyson anihilated him a short time ago.

Tyson fans can be out of their minds about whether or not he's past his prime, washed up, etc. Its any mans opinion on judging a boxers' ability.

But lets not get too crazy and say that 4 years is a short time ago. He fought Golota in late Oct of 2000. He beat Golota's ass, but not a short time ago.

...lol lol lol You Tyson nuthuggers are more pathetic than he is. If he scheduled a rematch with McNealy right now it would probably be even money. Tyson was overhyped to begin with and once he got exposed it was over more than ten years ago. It's far worse than the MJ analogy actually. The only thing Tyson beats these days is his own ****. A low IQ, half retard, social misfit, overated, walking piece of ****. **** him and his stupid ass fans!!! Klitschko fans take **** for being fanatical nuts but the Tyson fans are far worse for being diliusional mental cases.

WOW, I never heard anyone attack a fighter like that, did Tyson do somthing to you?:eek:

I wanna see him fight one more then retire.

Tyson may be past his prime, but there is one thing you can count on. its that during a Tyson fight someone is getting knocked out. Maybe its Tyson, maybe its his opponent, but its always interesting. And, he did beat Golota's ass.

Though the Tyson legend may go on - the Tyson KO Machine has long ago rusted. He is a shell of his former self, and that's just how it goes in boxing - everyone gets old before their time.

Mike is a living legend in the sport and it's unfortunate the he will almost be remembered more for what happened out of the ring, rather than what he did in the ring....

I think for Tyson its all a mental game. Once he takes himself out of the fight, mentally, its over. Physically, he's still one of the most gifted fighters. He's not in his prime, but he can still take out the majority of the heavyweights. I agree with the fact that he does need to change his style a bit. Instead of trying to take everyone out with one punch, he needs to string some combinations together. I think if he can do this, he can make one last attempt at glory. Good luck Mike!

...lol lol lol You Tyson nuthuggers are more pathetic than he is. If he scheduled a rematch with McNealy right now it would probably be even money. Tyson was overhyped to begin with and once he got exposed it was over more than ten years ago. It's far worse than the MJ analogy actually. The only thing Tyson beats these days is his own ****. A low IQ, half retard, social misfit, overated, walking piece of ****. **** him and his stupid ass fans!!! Klitschko fans take **** for being fanatical nuts but the Tyson fans are far worse for being diliusional mental cases.


thanks for the bad karma lol.. ohh u got me there! seems the stick is further up ur ass than i thought.

thanks for the bad karma lol.. ohh u got me there! seems the stick is further up ur ass than i thought.


...I got a little carried away on the Tyson thing but the bad Karma was for your "little *****" comment. I think you had it coming. I see you returned the favor by giving me bad back. Oh you really got me there too. :)

...I got a little carried away on the Tyson thing but the bad Karma was for your "little *****" comment. I think you had it coming. I see you returned the favor by giving me bad back. Oh you really got me there too. :)

haha yea.. it had to be done.

cant wait too see if mik really comes back!!

Mike Tyson is finished as a contender. End of story. He still have power to his punches and pose a threat for the first round or so, but after that he is all finished. He will never become champ again. I love Tyson as a fighter (even though he is overrated and gloryfied), but he should hang em up before he hurts himself bad.

is it really exciting news that he is trying to make some money to get out of debt? mike has never been himself as a boxer since cus died and he got ktfo by douglas. i truely can't believe they actually let him back in the ring after biting the real deals ears. animals like that are put to sleep or kept in a cage, which mike has already experienced the cage. the only thing that actually makes me feel more comfortable about what the artical said was that mike has no entourage. i think that he definately had the wronge people around him. cus would have never stood for it. as a few have posted before, mike has hte potential physically but mentally is where he is lacking. my personal take on it is that he is done. the heavies of today would demolish iron mike.

I'm having a hard time believing any Tyson news. One week he's retireing, the next Duran is his trainer, and the next yet another trainer. I'll believe some of theis stuff when/if hes standing in the ring next time.

His trainer is buddy now period. I too think Tyson is well of from his prime (by about 10 years) but he still is the best 3 round fighter in the world. If he could learn to slow down and wait pick his punches, jab, use a head faint, etc he would be very difficult to beat especially in today hw divsion. I think Tyson also had the ability to reinvent himself just not the mental attitude. If he is really having fun now and motivated to fight he could do it. I wouldnt count on it but its possible.

His trainer is buddy now period. I too think Tyson is well of from his prime (by about 10 years) but he still is the best 3 round fighter in the world. If he could learn to slow down and wait pick his punches, jab, use a head faint, etc he would be very difficult to beat especially in today hw divsion. I think Tyson also had the ability to reinvent himself just not the mental attitude. If he is really having fun now and motivated to fight he could do it. I wouldnt count on it but its possible.
Cus molded him into a 3 round fighter. Can't teach an old dog new tricks.

I heard he wants to fight again in March.

Foreman Did It, Tyson Can Too
by Stephen G. Terzian
01/15/05 - There is no reason why Mike Tyson cannot modify his style and really make it work well. Tyson has an excellent jab, but doesn't know it. He gets great extension on it for a short man with a short reach, and has been known to double and even triple jab with great effectiveness. When Mike jabs his way in his body is at a perfect angle vis a vis his opponent so that Tyson has the option of either ripping a left hook or left uppercut underneath, or throwing the straight right. He is also in a very good defensive position when jabbing.




George Foreman blew away his opponents with wrecking ball shots, and to tell you the truth I never saw him throw a jab from 1970 until 1974, when he threw a few pawing jabs at Ali's rope-a-dope nonsense. I then saw Foreman begin to use the jab more, with excellent effect, especially against Ron Lyle, and in the rematch with Joe Frazier. But it wasn't until 1986 that Foreman re-engineered himself from a sheer power punching monster to a boxer/puncher. And we all know what great success he had with this new style from 1987 and beyond: he practically knocked people out with that jab!

Mike Tyson--much slower now, much less head movement now, and certainly not needing to take too many more punches to the head, especially after the Holyfield and Lewis fights--needs to re-invent himself a bit. Don't tell me what an old dog can or cannot do: George Foreman had an even more successful career going from a pure slugger to a boxer/puncher, by learning to pace himself, by really developing a damaging jab, and by fighting smarter. Mike Tyson is the same age as Foreman was more or less when he began his second career in '86. He is also not 400+ pounds as Foreman weighed when he started training again.

Tyson's knockout power will always be there, and ultimately win the fight for him, but he just needs to learn to set those power shots up more wisely now, since he is past the point now of using his sheer youthful speed to dart inside and unleash them like he used to. Some trainer (or maybe I'll write to Tyson myself!) has to do a George Foreman-styled re-engineering number on Mike Tyson, and I believe he will be successful for a few more years to come, even winning a title along the way.

Email Stephen with any comments at haiassa@yahoo.com

-rabbitpunchboxing.com


I do believe that it's going to be hard for Tyson to change his style now. First he is past his prime, secondly we cannot compare Tyson To Big George because height and size wise Tyson is relatively small. George can afford to use his jab, box and wait for the right moment to unleash his bombs while getting and collecting points by winning rounds, I just don't see Tyson doing that.

I heard from a boxing website editor that this story is false?

Wait and see if there's anymore press coverage?

tyson buddy dont comeback you will get hurt...He wont be able to make a comeback even if Cusdamato was alive and training him...he is done, buddy mcgirt should know that. i think Mcgirt just wants to make some money off the poor fella...

Ya I havn't seen this kind of interview any where else. This is like the Lennox Lewis comeback story

yo never mind, saw something else, maybe tyson will fight again

if he does come back and fight again.. he will be heavyweight champ... iono think no one could beat him in the division... he juss to be more of a boxer and pace himself... than goin for an all out war... lookin for one punch....

There is not going to be any interviews and when he fights again it will be someone easy. Mcgirt is going to let Tyosn try out some boxing skills on some punching bags before he goes for a belt.