Mike Tyson & K-1

[Tom Yum]

Could Tyson ever make transition as a boxing coach for a K-1 fighter or a staple of MMA fighters?

I understand that coaching/instruction is a different game than competition, but in addition to his own experiences, he's an afficianado of the sport; in one of his documentaries, he's seen staying up until the early morning hours pouring over boxing footage of different fighters with Cus.

I think the man has potentially a lot to offer combat athletes.

What are your thoughts on this?

[Normal]

I doubt it.
The competitor has to take a "me first" approach to training (as rightly so because he has to be the best otherwise dont get in the ring) which often spills over into their personal lives, to varying degrees.
While a coach will generally be about what can I "give" to my fighter to make him better, which can also take away from his other relationships.
For some people the "me first" profile totally consumes them while others can juggle it and manage to have decent relationships with others (family, spouse, freinds, etc).
Mike has always displayed a "me first" attitude to my perception. When has he ever gone out of his way to help anyone that you have heard of?
He has always been totally consumed with himself, "a taker" not "a giver", I cant see him changing his stripes at this stage.

[Tom Yum]

I doubt it.
The competitor has to take a "me first" approach to training (as rightly so because he has to be the best otherwise dont get in the ring) which often spills over into their personal lives, to varying degrees.
While a coach will generally be about what can I "give" to my fighter to make him better, which can also take away from his other relationships.
For some people the "me first" profile totally consumes them while others can juggle it and manage to have decent relationships with others (family, spouse, freinds, etc).

Mike has always displayed a "me first" attitude to my perception. When has he ever gone out of his way to help anyone that you have heard of?
He has always been totally consumed with himself, "a taker" not "a giver", I cant see him changing his stripes at this stage.

Good point. I haven't really heard of instances where Tyson has gone out of his way to help anyone, but that doesn't mean he hasn't or isn't capable....who knows?

The what I can give attitude is a internally gratifying but externally challenging one, since more often than not, its often overlooked and sometimes thankless....

Now on a personal level, but not to side track the discussion...

I've volunteered many hours as a teacher at the museum of natural science (both in docents and for the Eagle scouts), as a food server in downtown kitchens during the holidays (for the past 4 years), a few hours here and there as a martial arts instructor at a woman's shelter; I've also donated to charitable causes (Injured Marine Semper-Fi fund, Katrina fund)...and it makes me happy seeing others get something they could not get on their own or get the support they need.

Since I am humble about these things and do not openly talk about them, they do not exist in some people's point of view and therefore I'm seen as a me-first type person, especially when I have to fight for something that I want.

Back to the topic of Tyson, if he were to get paid a good coaching fee, I bet he could be motivated to share some of his skills/knowledge to other combat athletes.

[Normal]

Tom Yum says: Back to the topic of Tyson, if he were to get paid a good coaching fee, I bet he could be motivated to share some of his skills/knowledge to other combat athletes.
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Tyson has gone through what 60 - 100 million dollars? He just plead guilty to another drug charge, he's on a downward spiral. Cus should have left him alone and he would have had a better chance at a decent life.

Now having said that, I remember seeing Tyson on the CBS sunday morning news when he was 16. I became one of his biggest fans, for years I watched his fights and loved his abilities. That all pretty much ended when I watched him bite off Holyfeilds ears.

It all kind of started when his manager died, Don King came onboard, he fired Kevin Rooney (the only person left that could train him decently for an upcoming fight), his boxing ability proceeded to dissipate as he no longer had anyone around him to tell him when he was getting lazy and his entourage increased, it was full of yes men that were only around to party and help him spend his money.

Kind of how Elvis ended up, surrounded by people that wouldnt kick him in the ass for fear that the gravy train would come to the end of the track.