Mike Tyson
FIGHTING IS 60% MENTAL
Liberty, NC– Boxing or fighting is a sport, and for some, a profession. For the majority of those for whom boxing is a profession the objective is to provide substance for their families. To that end, I couldn’t care less if Manny Pacqiuao and Floyd Mayweather ever fight one another. The Pacqiuao-Mayweather circus, in fact, is a microcosm of the ills that plaque boxing today, and that is a lack of true tough guys. While Muhammad Ali, Joe Frazier, Rocky Marciano, et.al., were certainly always interested in good paydays, they also had that something special that is largely missing from today’s crop of champions. That missing ingredient is mental toughness.
“IRON MIKE” WAS TURNED INTO ALUMINUM?
We saw an example of this with the meltdown of Mike Tyson. There was nothing wrong physically, but the lack of mental toughness caused a psychological short circuit that led to unreached potential in his career. On the other hand it was mental toughness that propelled Mickey Ward beyond his physical capabilities,
the idea of “quit” wasn’t hardwired into his system, and Ward is still admired today.
GUYS & GALS FIGHT ON ESPN 2 CARDS FOR LESS THAN $300 A FIGHT
I am not sure of what the answer is. All I know is on the “Ham & Egg” circuit, where no one is turning down multi-million dollar paydays because of reported disagreements over a 50-50 split, men are still fighting their hearts out for a mere pittance (sometimes $275 to fight on ESPN 2) of what Mr.’s Pacqiuao and Mayweather are refusing, real, tough, men, with families to feed, and those men we ought to support.
Professor Chuck Marbry