March 31, 2013: Mike Tyson Responds to His Kids Wanting to be Boxers

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kyq60bkxEC4

very good point he makes in that what they have now he fought all his life to get - does anyone know of any boxers from particularly wealthy families to have become very successful out of interest? would be interested to know - I know a few university educted champs have been around and would be introgued to know about wealth generally in their families at the time.

But I do think to be willing to put yourself through the ring - on a professional basis and have the desire to succeed generally 99% of people would not have that

^^Exactly. Great fighters are made because they feel compelled to live that way, I can't think of any exceptions at the moment either.

Barrera came from a well to do family and was training to be a lawyer.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by oakleyno1

very good point he makes in that what they have now he fought all his life to get - does anyone know of any boxers from particularly wealthy families to have become very successful out of interest? would be interested to know - I know a few university educted champs have been around and would be introgued to know about wealth generally in their families at the time.

But I do think to be willing to put yourself through the ring - on a professional basis and have the desire to succeed generally 99% of people would not have that

---

Absolutely agree! It's a tough, tough way to make a living that the vast majority would not undertake, and most of us would not want to see our children in the ring as a pro.

Not sure if the Klitschkos were wealthy but they're both educated.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by oakleyno1

very good point he makes in that what they have now he fought all his life to get - does anyone know of any boxers from particularly wealthy families to have become very successful out of interest? would be interested to know - I know a few university educted champs have been around and would be introgued to know about wealth generally in their families at the time.

But I do think to be willing to put yourself through the ring - on a professional basis and have the desire to succeed generally 99% of people would not have that

---

i believe jermain taylor is from a wealthy family

There was a good British fighter in the late 90s - James "lord of the manor" Hare - who apparently came from a wealthy background

Scott Welch was a gozillionaire I think but he ended up losing to Brad Pitt.

With any rule there is bound to be a few exceptions, but Tyson is right on the money.

To be a championship fighter, you really need to have that burning fire inside of you, and a rich, priviledged upbringing usually isn't conducive to that.

And yeah there have been a lot of boxers who came from middle class upbringings, but Tyson's kids are multi-millionaires.

Mike speaks the truth, he must no see the same in his kids how he once was. Something he is proud of because many of us can not be proud of our past. I know Mike isn't aside from his boxing career ;D

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Vendettos

Not sure if the Klitschkos were wealthy but they're both educated.

---

That was actually my first thought as well, but then you've got to remember they were born in Kazakhstan under the Iron curtain etc. They weren't wealthy at all either, I know their father was involved with Chernobyl and got cancer after the fact, not a terribly pleaseant time and place to grow up in any event.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by p4pking

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Vendettos

Not sure if the Klitschkos were wealthy but they're both educated.

---

That was actually my first thought as well, but then you've got to remember they were born in Kazakhstan under the Iron curtain etc. They weren't wealthy at all either, I know their father was involved with Chernobyl and got cancer after the fact, not a terribly pleaseant time and place to grow up in any event.

---

I saw a documentary about Chernobyl. You're right the Klitschko bros dad was sent there to help as a military officer, I believe. I don't think they were wealthy growing up that why their dad had to work there.

It is a very hard way to make a living and unless they are exceptional, where they can make more money than a regular job, they probably will not take up boxing. I would hate my kids doing it.

Eubanks Junior must be well off, perhaps it is his desire to prove his dad wrong and make something of himself that motivates him to fight.

Either that or being raised by Chris Eubank;D

Mamas don't let your babies grow up to be boxers, let em be engineers and footballers and such....

Mike is right. Of course there are exceptions when nerds from decent families become great boxers. Guys such as Barrera, Mikey Garcia, and Eubank came from decent family but still had the desire to become great fighters.

BUt generally, u gotta come from dirt poor poverty to know what real hunger is. There is an old saying in Korea that goes Boxing is a hungry man's sport.

Kids today are too soft..

I you have the hunger, dedication, and desire to prove yourself then you will succeed...simple as that, but if you're living life high on the hog already it's hard to stay that motivated.


The Klitschko's weren't destitute by any stretch of the imagination, they had a decent upbringing. Yes their father was sent to Chernobyl but he was in the Armed Forces, it was his job to go there.


Anybody can just be poor, but to be a champion you have to strive to better yourself and never lose that hunger, its difficult no matter where you come from.