Tyson on today's fighters

[WilkinsOlajuwon]

"Absolutely, the fighters have to stand up. But they're not interested in fighting, they're businessmen now. In my era, we liked money, we had money, we lost money, but our main concern was nobody could say they were better than us. In my time, there were 6 billion people on the planet. In my time, I said I could beat every single one of them in a fair fight. Will they be able to say that?"

http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york/box...ve-to-stand-up

Thank you, Mike.

[bojangles1987]

No one can say that fighters back in the day didn't duck, but when it came down to it they still had to fight the best more often than not because the system didn't allow what the system today does.

Today's boxing has been fragmented so that it's much, much easier for fighters to win belts and make money without having to fight often or fight the best.

[SnakeVen0m]

Truer words have never been spoken. Damn he's on point.

[WilkinsOlajuwon]

No one can say that fighters back in the day didn't duck, but when it came down to it they still had to fight the best more often than not because the system didn't allow what the system today does.

Today's boxing has been fragmented so that it's much, much easier for fighters to win belts and make money without having to fight often or fight the best.

Indeed...but the sport was still founded on the best fighting the best. Attitudes have changed and this the system has too.

[JDD1]

I agree that fighters fought more often and fought almost everyone. That was because quality fights sold, not just a certain fighter. More outlets for fighting too. But the day Tyson Mcneely sold nearly 2 million ppv's was the day everything changed from fight driven to fighter driven ppv's.

I think Mike has to realize because of what happened to him and ali during their careers and after, is the reason a guy like floyd is paying so close attention to money.

Mike and Ali got robbed blind, floyd is doing everyting he can to prevent being in the same place financially.

[soul_survivor]

I get what Tyson is saying and agree with a lot of that but it's unfair on men like Pacquiao, DLH, Hopkins, Chavez Sr., Tito, Wlad (I know, I know, weak era etc), Sergio Martinez, I could go on for a while.

Yes there are names like Mayweather who hasn't fought the best or refused to fight them when the fight meant the most. Yes there are names like Canelo (improving) and Broner who built stardom in their early 20s by fighting nobodies and has beens.

Of course, the growing power of sanctioning bodies and individual networks/promoters isn't helping, but even in Tyson's day the same issues were prevalent but it took smart business to make some of the biggest fights to happen. For those of you who truly know the sport, will think instantly of Lewis/Tyson and the road that took us there.

[Roy Jones Jnr]

That's one of the best quotes i've seen from Tyson, and he's got quite a few great ones.

This line especially is just fcking awesome ''In my time, there were 6 billion people on the planet. In my time, I said I could beat every single one of them in a fair fight. Will they be able to say that?''

[Chiboxing123]

"Absolutely, the fighters have to stand up. But they're not interested in fighting, they're businessmen now. In my era, we liked money, we had money, we lost money, but our main concern was nobody could say they were better than us. In my time, there were 6 billion people on the planet. In my time, I said I could beat every single one of them in a fair fight. Will they be able to say that?"

http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york/box...ve-to-stand-up

Thank you, Mike.

Mike tyson was the definition of a fighter.

[bojangles1987]

I get what Tyson is saying and agree with a lot of that but it's unfair on men like Pacquiao, DLH, Hopkins, Chavez Sr., Tito, Wlad (I know, I know, weak era etc), Sergio Martinez, I could go on for a while.

Yes there are names like Mayweather who hasn't fought the best or refused to fight them when the fight meant the most. Yes there are names like Canelo (improving) and Broner who built stardom in their early 20s by fighting nobodies and has beens.

Of course, the growing power of sanctioning bodies and individual networks/promoters isn't helping, but even in Tyson's day the same issues were prevalent but it took smart business to make some of the biggest fights to happen. For those of you who truly know the sport, will think instantly of Lewis/Tyson and the road that took us there.

Pacquiao took full advantage of the system following the Cotto fight. Not like he is innocent in the whole debacle with Mayweather. Sergio fought middling contenders for years because he wanted a big fight, which he's just now getting. Look at Ward, he got to the top by fighting damn near everyone in his division, but once he got there he has done nothing and is just looking for the payday.

Some of that happened back in the day, look how long it took Hagler to get a shot, but it was much harder to do. These days guys play the game long enough to get a belt and then stop caring about the best. Thurman will probably do the same if he ever becomes the man, it's easy to say you'll fight anyone when you have to.

[-MAKAVELLI-]

totally agree with Mike


however


it was his ppv influence that helped mold boxing into what it is today