In the world of combat sports there are often two roles that fighters have to fill for a captivating storyline, the role of a hero or a villain. Boxing legend Mike Tyson certainly fit in the latter as he was the most fearsome and brutal boxer ever to step foot inside a ring. However, these fighters despite playing the antagonist, seem to emerge as the ultimate winners when it comes to financial success.

‘Iron’ Mike certainly thinks that this is the case as according to him ‘bad guys’ will always do well financially in boxing. In addition, he revealed why the heel in sports is never forgotten, unlike the heroes who are not always remembered.

Mike Tyson reveals the truth about heels in boxing

In an episode of his podcast Hotboxin’, along with former UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman, Tyson detailed why ‘bad guys’ do well. According to Tyson, ‘bad guys’ possess an innate ability to captivate spectators. Their flamboyant personas and controversial statements often create an air of unpredictability that draw fans in. He also claimed that without a villain there is no hero to get behind.

“In the world of boxing, it’s evident that the bad guy always makes the most money. That’s just the way it is. People want to see the bad guy. Without the bad guy, there is no good guy. You have to be that bad guy sometimes. The bad guy plays his role better than the good guy, and the bad guy is never forgotten,” he said.

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There are many examples of heels who have managed to become quite successful financially. The best example would be Tyson himself and boxing legend Floyd Mayweather Jr. who played this persona perfectly in the latter stage of his career. As boxing continues to evolve, the allure of the bad guys will remain an integral part of the sport’s history. Moreover, it has also led athletes from other sports to adopt this persona.

Kamaru Usman reveals why being the heel is hard

‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ agreed with Tyson on why heels were able to do great in the sport. However, he claimed that being the villain is not always an easy task. According to Usman, while everyone aspires to be good, he believes that being mean and embracing the persona of the antagonist is a hard job.

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“It takes a lot of courage to be the bad guy, because everybody wants to be good, that’s what you’re supposed to be because that’s what’s good. Everybody wants to resonate with good. But to be able to step out as the bad guy, I think that takes a lot of courage,” he said.

While it may seem contradictory, being the antagonist requires a unique kind of courage. The bad guys play a vital role in creating drama, generating interest, and maintaining the audience’s engagement. Moreover, their presence adds depth and story to the fights. Ultimately, the dynamic between the good guys and the bad guys in boxing captivates fans and contributes to the sport’s popularity.

What did you think about Tyson’s take on ‘bad guys’ doing well financially in boxing? Additionally, who is your favorite ‘bad guy’ in combat sports? Let us know in the comments below.

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