Mike Tyson Interview in Moscow: "When You Win You Won’t Learn a Thing about Life

http://www.filelodge.com/files/577/KMO_067744_00334_1m.jpg Source: kommersant tysontalk by Alexey Dospekhov Mike Tyson, legendary heavyweight who is now visiting Moscow, tells Kommersant correspondent Alexey Dospekhov about his plans and his views on the modern boxing. Why have you come to Russia? You are here for the second time, aren’t you? Yes. When I was here for the first time I was so young, about 20 but this time… I’m traveling. I sailed on my yacht in the Mediterranean Sea. I’ve been to France and Italy. I went to Turkey, to Istanbul. Flavio Briatore invited me to see Formula 1. I went to Ukraine, to Kyiv. I met there Yakov Gribov, president of Nemiroff company. He is a great guy. He invited me to come to Moscow. My impression? A beautiful city. But it’s too big, to be honest. I already prefer small and not that noisy towns. You met World WBC Champion Vitaly Klitschko in Kyiv. What impression did he produce on you? He was a great host when he was showing me around in Kyiv. He is a wonderful unique personality, one of those you hardly meet in the boxing world. Believe me, it is amazing when a heavy-weight world champion welcomes another champion so warmly… I noticed how they love Vitaly in his country and the way he tries to be attentive to his fans though a champion has lots of engagements and never has time. I think there’s only boxer who made such an impression on me. That’s Max Schmeling I was lucky to meet him. I felt right away that Schmeling is a worthy, nice, versatile and respected person. He is something incredible for our world. So, Vitaly is like him. I am absolutely sure that he will achieve a lot in his life like Schmeling after leaving the sports. These people, intelligent and educated, are interesting even when they give up boxing. What’s your take on Vitaly Klitschko as a boxer? His style is not typical for America, is it? I think all this stuff about good or bad styles is crap. Every boxer has his own style. Whatever somebody feels about Vitaly’s style, it is efficient. He proved it when he became the world champion. It doesn’t matter if he wins or loses the next fight, he’s a great boxer already. Vitaly Klitschko’s next fight is in November against Hasim Rahman. Can you predict the result of the fight? This is sure to be a difficult one for Vitaly because Rahman is a tough boxer. Everything will depend on how Vitaly will be prepared for the match physically and psychologically. He’s got to be perfectly ready in the both aspects. Probably, the psychology is even more important here. Who will feel more at ease: the champion or the contender? When the gong goes, there are no champions or contenders. A champion goes up to the ring and a champion leaves it. There are only two boxers who fight for the title between these two moments. There are currently two heavy-weight world champions: Klitschko (WBC), John Ruiz (WBA), Chris Byrd (IBF) and Lamon Brewster (WBO). Who would you call the worthiest one? It’s hard to name one… Probably, Vitaly. I know that he lost once to Byrd but he had little experience then. He’s a more mature fighter now. I guess he is able to beat Byrd. By the way, I remember that no one took Vitaly seriously as a contender. Everyone thought that his younger brother (his name is Vladimir, I think) will become the champion. But Vitaly had what it takes – firm character and firm nerves. If you have it you can overcome anything to get the title. And still, what’s your take on Ruiz, Byrd and Brewster? They must prove that they’re the best. Vitaly is number one now at least because WBC is number one. The press writes all the time that the heavy weight goes through a crisis now saying there are few charismatic personalities now. Do you feel it? The crisis? I don’t think so. Isn’t Vitaly Klitschko a charismatice personality? Aren’t there boxers who want to grab the title from him? Things are going well in the boxing now. When will we see your next fight? I’m through with it , I don’t fight no more. Since then many things appeared in my life that I like more that boxing now. Do you often watch records of your fights? I haven’t seen one! I’ve never wanted to. I’m the one who doesn’t look back. I have set myself a new goal since I was small. I’ve always pushed myself forward. Do you have a fight that you recollect oftener than others? I do. This is the one against Buster Douglas. But you lost to him! You know, when you win fights, basically, you don’t learn anything about life. People are not interested in boxers who always win. They like those who find the strength to rise again after a defeat. That’s the gist of the boxing. The physical fight is of no importance. The main fight is an emotional one, social, if you like. And those who win it become idols. Take Che Gevara. I admire him, he had a great spirit of the fighter. You know that Che Gevara had poor health. He was unable to walk three blocks because of his asthma but he never showed his weakness to anyone. He strived and he became the symbol of liberation, the struggle for the whole world. Of course, they say in the States that he was a Communist, an enemy and all that but Americans buy the most of T-shirts with Che Gevara. They make hundred millions of dollars on him! Do you know any Russia heavy-weight? Nikolay Valuev or Oleg Maskaev? Valuev? No, I don’t know him. Maskaev? I’ve heard about him. There’s one more Russian boxer… Ibragimov. Two Ibragimovs: Sultan and Timur . There are both my friends. They are Muslim as me. Do you see any young boxer who is capable of being a great champion like you? I don’t like it to predict the future for young fighters. Boxing is an unfair thing. You may keep on winning but you may miss one punch and that’s it! You’ll never be a champion though they used to say you will surely become one. Well, may be it’s not that unfair after all. It’s like in business. Things go well but one day – bang! – and a successful businessman turns into a beggar. Have you ever considered becoming a trainer? No. I’m not that kind of person. A trainer must be married to his hall. He must be devoted to his boxers like a father. I did boxing only because my step father was in love with it. He wanted me to become a champion so I couldn’t disappoint him. http://www.filelodge.com/files/577/T2005090601E_l.jpg http://www.filelodge.com/files/577/KMO_067744_00161_1m.jpg http://www.filelodge.com/files/577/KMO_067744_00049_1m.jpg