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PARIS, FRANCE – JUNE 09: Mike Tyson watches on during the Men’s Singles Semi Final match between Carlos Alcaraz of Spain and Novak Djokovic of Serbia on Day Thirteen of the 2023 French Open at Roland Garros on June 09, 2023 in Paris, France. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)

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PARIS, FRANCE – JUNE 09: Mike Tyson watches on during the Men’s Singles Semi Final match between Carlos Alcaraz of Spain and Novak Djokovic of Serbia on Day Thirteen of the 2023 French Open at Roland Garros on June 09, 2023 in Paris, France. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)
Mike Tyson, the legendary boxing icon, had a harsh and tumultuous journey to the pinnacle of his sport. Born in 1966 in Brooklyn, New York, Tyson faced adversity from a young age. Raised in a rough neighborhood, he got involved in criminal activities and was sent to a reform school. It was there that he discovered his passion for boxing, under the guidance of Cus D’Amato. Tyson’s rise in the boxing world was meteoric. Moreover, he broke the record as he became the youngest heavyweight champion in the history of the sport, just at the age of 20, in 1986.
His enormous power and athleticism are what helped him stand out among others of his generation. He was a force to be reckoned with, an unstoppable force that continued to put even bigger fighters to sleep. However, as much as he was successful, his life was also filled with ups and downs. He even lost his beloved trainer Cus D’Amato, leaving him vulnerable to manipulation by some people who saw him as a chance to seek gain. His broken past was an opportunity for him to witness horrors others could only scarcely imagine, and he learnt from them all.
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Tyson’s hard-earned wisdom forged via painful experiences
If there is a quality of Mike Tyson that shines through more than his boxing talent, is his raw, unfiltered honesty. Understandably so, but the former heavyweight champion is anything but a people pleaser. Through his struggles, he has understood that being overly trusting can lead to exploitation. He always tends to speak his mind, even if doing so can offend others or may garner hatred from others.

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September 24, 2023, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA: September 24th, 2023 former American boxer, Mike Tyson on the sidelines during pregame at Pittsburgh Steelers vs Las Vegas Raiders in Las Vegas, NV. Jake Mysliwczyk/AMG Media Las Vegas USA – ZUMAb241 20230924_zsa_b241_090 Copyright: xJakexMysliwczykx/xAmgxMediax
Moreover, since he was born on the crime-ridden streets of Brooklyn, he experienced a lot of angst many don’t throughout their lifetime. Recently he shared some words of wisdom on Twitter. He shared a picture of himself along with the message: “A man that is a friend to everybody is an enemy to himself.” It’s a quote that is the sublimation of Tyson’s hard-earned wisdom through all the tough times in his life. However, it seems that not all the fans were too impressed with Tyson’s words.
Fan reactions to the quote from Mike Tyson galore
In a recent social media post, former heavyweight boxing champion Mike Tyson shared a thought-provoking statement. This cryptic message- “a man that is a friend to everybody is an enemy to himself”, left fans both intrigued and puzzled, resulting in a wide array of reactions. Some fans expressed their support for the wisdom shared by the former world champion. One fan stated, “If you see no sense in this, then you are senseless”.
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Another fan criticized the boxing legend for his past controversial actions. The fan stated, “People say things like that after they’ve eaten somebody else’s ear”. It is to be noted that Tyson and Holyfield have since pushed aside their animosity and even launched an edible together. Meanwhile, a fan jumped in to explain what Tyson meant by his statement, writing, “He’s saying don’t be a sheep. Know when to say no and when not to fold under pressure because you’re a yes man and does everything for everyone.”
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Someone else appeared to be baffled by his words pointing out, “Makes no freaking sense at all LOL.” One fan brought up an old quote from Tyson, “The most brutal and vicious and most ruthless champion ever.” Another fan chimed in and stated, “I respect the quote but it’s false overall”.
In the end, Mike Tyson’s statement has generated a wide cluster of reactions from fans, ranging from staunch support to utter perplexity. What do you think about his statement? Do you find any problem with his statement? If so, share your thoughts in the comments.
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Watch This Story: Top 5 Fan Favorite Boxers of All Time: Muhammad Ali, Mike Tyson, Manny Pacquiao, and More
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