![]() ![]() He was going to knock out somebody with their head snapping up in some cruel manner, but he brought that intensity and animal instincts out that I don’t think I saw any fighter in my lifetime, still, be able to do. I know, myself, I was up one time on a Friday night having a good time and I said, “Well, I got to leave, go home and watch Mike Tyson on HBO”-it must have been around about ’88 or ’89, and I know the HBO fights were on Friday nights and the guy asked me, he said, “Well who’s Mike Tyson fighting?” I said, “I don’t know, I don’t even care” because that’s how exciting you got to be about Mike. He knocked out people but he did it in such a vicious, cruel manner and the way he came out with the destruct and destroy type attitude, it was just something that people thrived on. ![]() When he fought the guys like James “Quick” Tillis, my fighter Tony Tucker, I think even “Bonecrusher” (Smith)-these big guys who were not afraid of him and not intimidated, they were effective because he was still a small heavyweight, but all he could do is do what he did. So I still have to respect him for what he did to be a little guy, only about 5’10 ½” It’s truly phenomenal. But I thought Mike came along at the right time with the speed, the intensity, and he made up for his lack of size by incorporating speed, and that’s what’s always effective, but when he fought the bigger guys who were like 6’4” guys or 6’3 ½” who were not afraid of him, he had problems. I think as a fighter he came along at the right time with a lot of guys who were really intimidated-I hate to say it, a lot of them, by him-because most heavyweights have big bodies but very small hearts and that’s why the strong minded guys such as he, Larry Holmes, George Foreman-they dominated the division because they’re strong-minded and strong-willed individuals. So he has had a definitely strong impact on boxing-stronger than any other heavyweight I think other than Ali in the recent twenty years. He just had that much of an impact to the point where, sometimes I’ve trained guys who were 6’3”-6’4” and they start off they’re trying to do the Mike Tyson move, bob and the weave. Tyson came up with the all black stuff on and no socks and that affected so many boxers, really in all weight divisions, where traditionally everybody wore the white stuff because that’s what the Ray Robinsons and Muhammad Ali (were wearing). I think that Mike Tyson, after Muhammad Ali, has had more of an impact on boxing-in particular heavyweights-than any other fighter I would say in the last twenty years. In your view, Emanuel, what is the truth about Mike Tyson and his legacy?Ī: Well I think there’s definitely a legacy to begin with. On the other hand, many of his detractors say he is overrated because he presided over a weak division. Q: A lot of Mike Tyson supporters tend to believe that he was unbeatable during his prime and many maintain he would never have lost a fight if Cus D’Amato had not passed away and some even argue that Tyson was ruined when he parted ways with Kevin Rooney. This is part one of a three part series that explores heavyweight history with Emanuel Steward. During the hour long conversation, we discussed some of the most decorated personalities the sport has known and touched on some of the more memorable moments. I was recently afforded the opportunity to have a lengthy discussion with the legendary trainer that focused on the rich history of the heavyweight division. Steward also trained many other notable heavyweights, including Evander Holyfield who defeated Riddick Bowe to regain the heavyweight throne and Oliver McCall who Steward trained in his second round knockout victory over Lewis. Not only does he train reigning heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko (who became champ and had eight successful title defenses since teaming up with Steward), but he also worked with former undisputed heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis. ![]() Exclusive Interview by Geoffrey Ciani – Hall of Fame trainer Emanuel Steward knows a thing or two about heavyweight history. ![]()
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