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About Tyson
We have long been familiar with. In close communication everything they say about Mike is lost. It's not hard to understand him: a native of Harlem. He thought the whole world lives by the same rules as Harlem does. But inside - a good guy, fun to talk to him.
It's a shame when Joe Louis serves as a doorman in "Caesar's Palace" in Las Vegas. Or Tyson files for bankruptcy. Not boxing because of debts to the tax authorities. I asked him: "Mike, are you going to box again?" - "The last two fights didn't brought me a cent. Money immediately went to pay off debts. I don't want to enter in the ring for nothing, there is no motivation".
About Don King
Don King invited us in Las Vegas. We watched the fight and went to the King's home. And the "concert" started: "if you guys just sign the contract you'll receive mountains of gold, and immediately...". There is a saying: "Gently laid, hard to sleep". He laid so soft that we intuitively felt - something is not right. Plus a nuance. King was eating a turkey. He swung turkey's leg, chatting with us. And King's hairs... did you see them?
Boxers say that the famous Don King's hairstyle fashioned so that horns will not to be visible. One of the hairs, long, twisted like a spiral, fell to the turkey's leg. King did not noticed it. I whispered to my brother: "Volodya, will he eat it?".
And he ate - even not choked. God forbid to sign a contract with him - he would eat us as well. With giblets. We have long tried to convince Karmazin to not conclude contact with King. In 2002, trained together in Los Angeles. I said: "Roma, change your mind. He stripped of money everyone - from Muhammad Ali to Tyson".
Karmazin answered dismissively: "What are you saying! He is a great promoter...". But King takes boxers and squeezes them like lemons - and goodbye.
Generally crooks in the boxing business in bulk. Most guys are signing contracts, without realizing that they doom themselves. I can not say sold into slavery - but something close to it. Titles come and go, but life does not change for those boxers. Tens of millions of dollars flashed around them, but ends up in the pockets of their managers, promoters, speculators from boxing that tell them interesting fables. And Don King is no exception.
About Chisora and Haye
Chisora do not think his actions ahead. They are the essence of this man. They are his reality. Arrests by the police, fights, wife beating, some scandals. If Chisora will continue to behave this way, it may end up sad for him. David Haye is another story - for him it's all some kind of play, spectacle, in which he plays well.
In our business you need cold calculation. The only thing I regret - that I did not knock Chisora out. There were reasons for why I beat Chisora only on points. Before the fight I have injured my right hand. Boxed virtually single-handedly, which allows to maintain the distance. And when the opponent is going on you and pressing, you'll need the right hand to stop him.
About Max Schmeling
I've learned German language reading his memoirs. The story of this man who saved ***s at Kristallnacht 1938, made a huge impression on me. But even more I was shocked when meet him. Schmeling was then about 90 years old. The last time we saw each other for a year before his death - and he did not live a few months before the century. At the same time led an active life. He said: "I would like to die at my desk". We discussed various topics - from boxing to politics. He was aware of all the events, analyzed our fights. God bless everyone in this age to keep such clear mind! Do not forget, Schmeling during his career was in knockouts. The number of rounds in those years was not limited. Boxing gloves resembled bare fists.
About his favorite fights
There are interesting fights, there are emotional fights, there are dramatic fights. Some fights you pass through yourself, remember them for years. My fight with Lennox Lewis was emotionally brightest to the audience. In front of me - the strongest fighter of our time. Passions such that all in the balance. One time he is close to knock me out. Other time it is Lewis who in a state of groggy.
Against Tomasz Adamek was a beautiful, classic duel. But special fight for me is the fight with Herbie Hide. There's a crazy background, very few people know about it. This is my first world title among professionals in 1999. Inadequate opponent's antics, threats, war of nerves on the brink of a foul. High stakes for my loss. I came out to the ring - ugly gestures from opponent. Imagine the psychological stress!
And rival who threatened you, organized the hell out of the recent days of your life, lying unconscious in a knockout. I felt great satisfaction from winning that day.
About temptation of easy money
In the early 1990s, the gangsters were trying to lure me in their "business". There were guys who have trained with us in one room and used physical data for other purposes. It was hard time, we lived in poverty. I shared my thoughts with the coach: "I was invited too, maybe I shall try? Look on those guys - nice suits, cars, and money. And we have nothing but enthusiasm...". He found words of wisdom: "Vitali, you'll gonna have it all. But your way to these is sport". I'm grateful to him for he have saved me, a teenager, from ****** things. After all, it was a road to nowhere.
About children
My principled position - the parents must give their children a decent education. Everything else children have to make themselves. I dream of Harvard. If my children will be educated in one of the most prestigious universities in the world, my mission as a father would be practically implemented.
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