Former world heavyweight champion, Mike Tyson, was a formidable force inside the ring. And, being the wrecking ball that he was, Tyson was both feared and respected by boxers and the other members of the boxing fraternity. However, there was one boxer that had a special place in ‘Iron’ Mike’s heart, boxing’s very own demigod, Muhammad Ali. In a recent podcast episode, Tyson detailed how he wished to become like Ali after meeting him at the age of 11.

Tyson was hosting his ‘Hotboxin with Mike Tyson‘ podcast with co-host Sebastian Joseph-Day. Meanwhile, rapper Cordae was the guest for the episode.

The trio was in a passionate discourse about Tyson’s attendance at the Arsenio Hall Show with Ali in 1989.

Mike Tyson wanted to become like Muhammad Ali

In conversation, Cordae stressed the fact that Mike Tyson called Muhammad Ali the greatest boxer of all time. And also mentioned that Tyson displayed perfect humility in doing so.

A teary-eyed Tyson then proceeded to describe what Ali meant to him.

He said, “I can see a motherf*cker. And the motherf*cker inspires you like this. Don’t even touch you. Don’t even say a f*cking word to you. To this day I can’t figure it out.”

Joseph-Day then asked Tyson if meeting Ali was quintessential for his growth.

Top Stories

Floyd Mayweather Mourns Close Friend’s Passing Amid $340M Showtime Lawsuit Drama

“It’s Not Worth It”: Terence Crawford Opens Up on Fear of Ending Up Like His Idol Muhammad Ali

Legendary Olympic Champion and Boxing Icon Passes Away at 86

Shakur Stevenson and Terence Crawford Issue $100K Call Out to WBC “Crooks” After History Repeats

“Don’t Cry Now”: Mike Tyson Roped In as 50 Cent Trolls Floyd Mayweather Over $340 Million Showtime Lawsuit

Tyson responded by saying, “No, I had never met him. I’ve never seen him. Back when I was 11 years old. Boom I said, f*ck I want to be like him. It happened.”

READ MORE – ‘I Don’t Think There’s Anybody in the World That Can Take Deontay Wilder’s Power’: Tyson Fury Brutally Honest While Proposing ‘The Bronze Bomber’ vs. Joe Joyce Potential Fight

It seems certain that Tyson was sagacious enough to let Ali’s impact become the driving force in his quest for greatness.

When Tyson met Ali

Tyson’s rough upbringing and childhood saw him spending a lot of time in reformatories and juvenile homes. But, this, in turn, gave him an opportunity to meet Ali.

Talking about the experience, he said, “I kept going through reformatory, reformatory, and I met, I saw Muhammad Ali came to visit the reformatory. I said wow. And I saw the people going crazy when they seen him.”

Tyson also revealed that this inspired him to strive to become like Ali.

WATCH THIS STORY – Five Most Bizarre Rituals in Boxing

What are your thoughts on Ali’s impact on Tyson’s life? Do let us know in the comments below.