All that it needed was one stare from Mike Tyson. It was easy, for those who knew the game very well, to gauge that the fight was over for the opponent. For such was the kind of fear Tyson struck in the hearts and minds of some of the toughest boxers there were to be found. Hence, it would be challenging to imagine that there is indeed something or someone who could scare away the man who carried such a fearsome reputation. However, as the new episode of Hotboxin unfolded, it looked as though that appeared to be the case.
William Leonard Roberts II joined Mike Tyson and Fred Frenchy Madzimba in Hotboxin’s episode. But most fans know him by his nickname, Rick Ross. Over the years, he has become one of the most influential names in the southern rap scene. The Clarksdale, Mississippi-born songwriter and record executive is the recipient of nearly nine Grammy award nominations. However, for a prolific artist like him, it seems, he keeps his concerts during some really offbeat hours. It is not an easy time to venture out for a family man like Mike Tyson. To do so, he needs approval from the highest office at home, his wife, Lakiha ‘Kiki’ Spicer. But much before that, he needs to muster all the courage he has.
So some ten minutes or so after the show started, Mike Tyson checked with Rick Ross about how he was getting by in terms of the ‘side money’. The musician replied that he had a few ventures that he was looking after. An excited ‘Iron’ Mike then exclaimed that he wanted to see one of his concerts. So Ross, checking with one of his assistants, replied, “But look while you out here… we this weekend we doing where we at where we rocking now, homie, we doing a few things, we at Vendon we had a couple spots.”
Tyson asked what Ross and his team would be doing at those places. “We performing we busting them,” said the rapper. Then the former heavyweight champion checked for the timings, and pat came in the reply, “You know I like to get in about 2 a.m.”
The look on Mike Tyson’s face had everyone burst into hearty laughter. Smiling, ‘Iron’ Mike said, “I’m going to say this to my wife. Hey, I’m getting ready to go see Rick, baby. It starts at 2:00 in the morning. I’m just chill with you till two, okay, baby.” Rick Ross told him that he could be back by either 4.30 am or 5 am at the best. All he needs to do is be straightforward and share all the details with his wife.
Tyson replied, “Listen, I’m very honest till you put me in dishonest situation.” As everyone started roaring once again, he closed, “I’m so scared.”
For sure, it must have startled quite a few fans. Incidentally, ‘Iron’ Mike will return to the ring in July against much younger Jake Paul. The last time he exchanged blows was against Roy Jones Jr. in November 2020.
In his latest interview, Tyson, incidentally, spoke about how nervous he felt in the lead-up to the fight. Speaking with Sean Hannity on Fox News Live, the former heavyweight champion shared his fears. But more significantly, he pointed out how being afraid helped him stay focused and prepare for the fight by confronting those apprehensions. He said, “Whatever I’m afraid to do, I do it, and that’s how it is…anything I’m afraid of, I confront it, and that’s my personality. and right now, I’m scared to death, but as the fight gets closer, the less nervous I become because it’s reality, and in reality, I’m invincible.”
‘True fear is not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it,” it is often said. In recent times, no other personality has exemplified it better than Mike Tyson. He might have joked in the studio. However, getting back into the ring every time, after each setback, with all the fears clouding his mind, puts him in an all-together separate league of men.
What’s your take on the upcoming Mike Tyson and Jake Paul fight? Are you fine that it’s going to be an exhibition fight and now a regular pro-boxing bout?
