A Year in, Mike Tyson Says Promoting is Harder Than Fighting

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Once known as the baddest man on the planet and one of the most feared fighters in the ring, Mike Tyson now sports a different moniker. No, it’s not the movie star role in the Hangover movies, or even the stand-up performer on Broadway at his show, “The Undisputed Truth.” No, Mike Tyson now wears the hat of boxing promoter in the sport he knows all too well, the ups and downs, and the nitty gritty.

Almost a year into his new role as the face of Iron Mike Tyson Promotions, Tyson has found out that the promoting business isn’t quite what he expected. “A year into this, you realize certain things,” Tyson said. “There are no friends in this business. Everyone is pretty much out for themselves. People I thought were friends when it came time to doing business; it was all about what befitted them, nothing else. That’s all that matters, them.”

To Tyson, promoting is harder than being in the ring fighting. He knows the ills of the sport from a different perspective. “Listen Vic, I’m trying to make a difference. But nowadays fighters don’t want to fight this fighter and that fighter, what kind of nonsense is that?” questioned Tyson. “I mean we still haven’t got Mayweather-Pacquiao and imagine how much money that would make, everyone involved. But of course, I’m not a big fish yet in this business. But with hard work, I’ll get there.”

Being a former fighter turned promoter isn’t anything out of the norm. There are certain fighters that are promoters while they are still currently fighting. But when it comes to grand success, the only fighter turned promoter that has had major success and is now one of the two biggest U.S. promotional outfits is Oscar De La Hoya and Golden Boy Promotions. Tyson, arguably was as big a star if not bigger than Oscar De La Hoya in his fighting days. Asked if that crossover success for Tyson could equal the same success as De La Hoya and his company, Tyson responded by saying, “There’s a difference. He was more a face and the guys behind the scenes handled the business and brought it to where it was today. I’m going to be more hands and if I’m lucky enough, I don’t see why I can’t be as big as those guys. But everything has to start somewhere and this is where we’re starting.”

Tyson is heading back to where it all started in upstate New York to promote an ESPN2 fight card on June 6th headlined by Yudel Johnson. Tyson was last seen on ESPN2 publicly apologizing to Teddy Atlas, former trainer and ESPN2 color commentator. Tyson has made amends with Atlas and says while their relationship isn’t fully patched up, its getting better.

“It took a lot for me to do what I did. But things are getting better.  After the apology we talked and he invited me to appear at one of his charities,” Tyson said. “Things might not be all great but better than before.”

This time last year Tyson told the media on a conference call that he was suffering with sobriety issues but by the time fight time came around to promote his 1st card under IMP, Tyson said he was clean. He says he has remained clean.

“I’ve been sober since my last discussion about it (August 2013).  It’s a struggle, but as of now, I’m winning.  I can only deal with the moment.  At this moment, I’m doing really well.”

Tyson, much like De La Hoya has battled demons throughout his boxing career and after. Tyson says promoting is harder than fighting because in fighting, you only have to worry about yourself, while as a promoter, you have to worry about a number fighters and their livelihood. With that being said, i asked Mike because of his out of the ring issues, why would a fighter want to fight and sign with him if he has their livelihood in his hands? Mike paused and said, “Vic, that’s a good question. I can’t lie. I done some stuff i can’t take back. But it’s all about moving forward. I feel I have the right people around me to keep me on the right path. I know this sport inside and out. I was rich off this sport and poor off this sport. I think i take the best interest in my fighters and I think that’s the main reason I can succeed in this other side of this business.”