Former undisputed heavyweight champion Mike Tyson recently admitted during an interview that he’s ‘never been able to handle being a fighter’ and said that is was difficult to overcome fear during his entire pro career.
In November 1986, Tyson became the youngest fighter to win a heavyweight title, when at 20-years-old he knocked out Trevor Berbick.
He retired as a two-time heavyweight champion in 2005 after getting stopped by Kevin McBride. His final career tally was 50 wins, 6 defeats and 44 big wins by knockout.
During his pro career, Tyson explained that he was always dealing with fear and used it to his advantage to rise to the occasion.
“I never thought I could handle being a fighter. It just was. I’ve never been able to handle it. You always get nervous. I’m nervous now. That’s just part of life. I believe from my experience that the feeling is a natural defense mechanism. You rise to the occasion or you freeze. You learn to deal with that,” Tyson explained to during an interview with actor and comedian Kenan Thompson.
For many years, some people have wondered whether or not a normal person could withstand a big punch from Tyson.
“What is a normal person? It has nothing to do with being an athletic person, it’s about your morale. Fighting has a lot to do with morality too. It’s not about taking it, it’s the willingness to die, that’s what life is. When you stand up to it you no longer have to fear it,” Tyson said.
As the entire planet battles the coronavirus pandemic, Tyson continues to exercise and stays busy at home.
“I’m working out, I’m getting up every day. I do an hour on my bike, an hour on my treadmill, then I do some light weights. I’m getting ready to go there, another week or two and I’m going to start hitting the bag,” Tyson said.