There were only a few people boxing legend Mike Tyson truly respected and considered to be his friend. One of them was the former heavyweight champion’s closest friend and rapper, Tupac Shakur.

Back in 1996, Shakur would be shot while returning from seeing Tyson ahead of his fight with Bruce Seldon. To this day Tyson feels guilty about the death of his close friend. However, the former champion feels that Shakur’s life would have been very different if his energy was directed toward the right things.

Mike Tyson reveals how Tupac Shakur was misguided

In an episode of his podcast Hotboxin with Loud Records Founder Steve Rifkind, Tyson revealed how Pac was and how his energy was not put into the right things. He also stated that people ask him what the rapper was like in real life, all across the world.

“He was just this guy that had this light but some of his energy was misdirected. You know he could have been such an, but he is such a monster and every time I go to another country Africa no matter where Spain they said what was Tupac like. Every place especially on my side of America. People ask me unless they’re kids but everywhere even now. So what was it like being with Tupac? What was he like, all over the world.” said Tyson.

The former heavyweight champion certainly believes that Pac could have been with him if he was on the right path. However, people will always remember the rap icon, who continues to be a symbol for his community and the art of hip-hop.

Tyson details the time Shakur met him in prison

In an interview, Tyson was asked to share his fondest memories of Tupac after which he detailed the time the rapper came to visit him in prison. He stated that Pac demanded respect from everyone he met and was a person filled with energy.

“He was just like a boat of energy when he came in everybody knew him, he had mad respect. I guess that’s how he lived his life. He demanded respect” he said.

Tyson always knew that Shakur was a special person with the qualities to become a legendary music artist. This might also be the reason why he was close friends with Tyson, with the two being more alike than people think.

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What did you think about Tyson sharing his thoughts on Shakur? Let us know in the comments.