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LAS VEGAS, NV – AUGUST 08: Former heavyweight boxer Mike Tyson speaks during the third annual Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame induction gala at Caesars Palace on August 8, 2015 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Steve Marcus/Getty Images)
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LAS VEGAS, NV – AUGUST 08: Former heavyweight boxer Mike Tyson speaks during the third annual Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame induction gala at Caesars Palace on August 8, 2015 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Steve Marcus/Getty Images)
Boxing icon Mike Tyson sat down with Brendan Schaub in the latest episode of his hit show- Food Truck Diaries. The legendary former heavyweight champion had plenty to say about the current state of affairs in the sport today. Moreover, he also offered some valuable insight into the stark contrast that exists between the sport of boxing and MMA.
Mike Tyson recently stepped out of retirement to compete actively after taking a break for 15 years. He came in against another legend in Roy Jones Jr and the two put on an exciting exhibition contest.
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Moreover, this move has allowed him to get an idea of the current landscape of the sport as compared to what it was in its heyday.
USA Today via Reuters
Nov 28, 2020; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Mike Tyson (black trunks) fights Roy Jones, Jr. (white trunks) during a heavyweight exhibition boxing bout for the WBC Frontline Belt at the Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Joe Scarnici/Handout Photo via USA TODAY Sports TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
Mike Tyson on why the UFC is taking over boxing
‘Iron’ Mike had a unique perspective on why the leading MMA promotion was pulling ahead of boxing. Unlike the traditionally held beliefs, Tyson explained that it was primarily the way in which UFC fighters fought that keeps the sport in high stead.
“It’s [UFC] taking over, if you see a boring fight in the UFC, you ain’t never gonna see those two guys again. They’re gonna be working as an Eskimo in South Dakota somewhere.
“You ain’t never gonna see them again. So, if you fight in the UFC, it better be exciting or you’re never gonna be seen again.”
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LAS VEGAS, NV – AUGUST 09: Former boxer Mike Tyson inducts Evander Holyfield (not pictured) into the Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame at the second annual induction gala at the New Tropicana Las Vegas on August 9, 2014 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
What’s more, he also went in on how promoters played a huge role in planning out the trajectories of the best fighters in the sport. It’s safe to say that Tyson had a rather cynical view on the matter, to say the least. However, his experiences at the very top of the fight game are a testament to the things he’s seen firsthand.
“Exactly, the promoter is trying to get as much money as he can before he sacrifices his fighters. Like he may know my fighter can’t beat him so I’mma get as many fights, suck all the money that I can and feed him to the lambs and get my money from that too.”
Regardless of the methods used, MMA is currently ahead of boxing in the eyes of many combat sports fans. While it’s possible for both to exist symbiotically, there is an underlying pressure that’s certainly at play. Boxing and MMA have been going head to head for a while now and the UFC is going on full steam ahead.
