10 Fascinating Minutes (Not Rounds!) With Iron Mike Tyson

Going 10 minutes in an interview with heavyweight boxing legend Mike Tyson is a bit like going 10 rounds with him in the ring, except that you don’t get knocked out. The 58-year-old is friendly, at times funny, but no-nonsense, keeps you on your toes. Like with his punches, he doesn’t waste words. He’s in with his answers, then out quickly, waiting for your next question.

Tyson has been doing these interviews lately to promote his coming fight with Jake Paul, at just 27 much more brash than old-school Iron Mike. The eight-round bout, two minutes per round, is scheduled for July 20 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, and to be shown simultaneously on Netflix.

Tyson may be older, but his record speaks for itself: 50 wins, 44 by knockout, against six losses and two no contests. In his prime, Tyson was perhaps the most dangerous puncher in the early rounds of a fight.

We caught up with the former champ earlier today via Zoom. Following are edited excerpts from a longer conversation.

Jim Clash: Why did you take the fight with Jake Paul?

Mike Tyson: Well, this is a fight that slowly led up to what's happening now. He kept saying he wanted to fight me, and I told him he had to get to a certain level, and now he's reached that level. I had no idea I'd actually fight him when I helped him start out. I'm going to finish him, too.

Clash: What did you say, "He's fat and funky?"

Tyson: Yeah, I was busting his chops [laughs].

Clash: Can you knock him out in the first round?

Tyson: Listen, he's going to try to defend against that. I'm not saying it's going to be easy, but I don't think it will go the distance.

Clash: Who was the hardest puncher you ever faced?

Tyson: Wow, I've taken quite a few hard punches. Listen, there were a couple of guys. And they sure hit harder than Jake Paul, even the ones I may have forgotten about.

Clash: Las Vegas is favoring him. I've seen your recent workouts on YouTube. I don't agree with Vegas.

Tyson: Well, that's good. I didn't know they were favoring him.

Clash: I was talking to former heavyweight boxer Chuck Wepner the other day. He told me to ask you about your pigeon coops.

Tyson: Yeah, I know Chuck, very well. I was just watching [a tape of] his fight with Sonny Liston last night. I do have pigeon coops in Jersey City.

Clash: Why do you like pigeons?

Tyson: Listen, I've had them for so long, I can't even answer that question. They're part of my life, my DNA, who I am now.

Clash: You had tigers, too. How did you get that hilarious cameo in the movie, "Hangover," where, when those guys were drunk, they stole your pet tiger?

Tyson: They saw me out one night at a club, and said they were going to do a movie with me. I had no idea they had even talked to my agent. I had fun doing it, though, a wonderful time!

Clash: You can be a funny guy.

Tyson: My wife says that, too.

Clash: Well, that's good.

Tyson: Well, it depends on what I'm doing to her [laughs].

Clash: You can also be quite sensitive, then a real animal in the ring. The sensitivity thing surprised me when I did my research on you. Were you always like that or did you develop it later?

Tyson: I've been like that since I was young. You don't become sensitive because something happens to you in your life - you're born that way.

Clash: Just before your fight in 1988 with Larry Holmes, Muhammad Ali came up to you in the ring and said something private. As I remember, Holmes had had his way with Ali way back when.

Tyson: Yes. Ali told me to get Larry Holmes for him.

Clash: What was Michael Spinks like to fight? Marvis Frazier, Joe's son? Two big wins for you.

Tyson: Spinks, it was over quick. Marvis was over pretty quick, too.

Clash: What are you afraid of, and how do you handle fear?

Tyson: I'm afraid of losing my family. I handle fear like I handle life. It's there, and I can either make it my enemy or my friend.

Clash: Give us some advice for dealing with fame.

Tyson: In order to have fame, you have to be prepared to suffer, depending upon the degree of fame. Everybody wants to touch you, wants to be with you, to give you money. But that's not normal. We may try to make it normal, but it's not. You have to handle it, not get used to it.

Clash: How about as it pertains to you?

Tyson: If you're a young kid from the streets of Brownsville, Brooklyn, and the whole world knows your name and your business, it's pretty difficult. You feel it, make a lot of bad mistakes. But if you continue to live, and fight the bad feelings, be the best in what you want to do, you'll succeed. Life is about how much you can take, not about how much you can give.

Clash: If you could say something to Cus D’Amato, your late trainer, what would it be?

Tyson: "I'm still fighting at 58." I'll bet that would make him happy.