Mike Tyson’s former sparring buddy has opened up about the “horrible emotions” the boxer went through before facing opponents in the ring.
According to Joe Egan, the Iron Mike’s former sparring partner, the champion would get taken over by fear before fights despite being known as ‘The Baddest Man on the Planet.’
“Mike in the dressing room used to go through horrible emotions of fear. And like Cus [former trainer] used to say to us, ‘there’s a very fine line between the coward and the hero,’” Egan said in an interview with The Sun.
“And that walk to the ring and the waiting around before you get into the ring is very daunting for any fighter. I can tell you myself.
“And the emotions that go through your head, Mike was the same. He’d say to me after a fight, ‘Did I do enough? Have I done enough? Has my opponent done more?’”
Despite the alleged troubling thoughts, the Iron Mike always appeared confident and fierce whereas he never showed fear on his face as he entered the ring.
According to Egan, however, Tyson is still “a human being” and “not a machine” as some would portray him.
“He had the same emotions that his opponent had,” Egan added.
In a recent turn of events, the former boxing champion announced he’s working out to get back in shape and reclaim his place in the ring more than a decade after his last professional match.
The revelation came as the Iron Mike was chatting with rapper T.I. during Instagram Live and confirmed he’s been “hitting the mitts” in order to “get in shape” and return to the ring.
“I’ve been working out, I’ve been trying to get in the ring, I think I’m going to box some exhibitions and get in shape,” Tyson said.
“I want to go to the gym and get in shape to be able to box three or four-round exhibitions for some charities and stuff. Some charity exhibitions, make some money, help some homeless and drug-affected motherfu**er like me.”
As the former boxing champion went on to explain, he’s been training for hours each day and was left in pain “like three guys kicked the sh** out of me.”
“I do two hours on cardio, I do the bike and the treadmill for an hour, then I do some light weights, 300, 250 reps,” the Iron Mike said.
“Then I start my day with the boxing thing, I go in there and hit the mitts, 30 minutes, 25 minutes, start getting in better condition.”
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