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| Mike Tyson |
If British boxing icon
Anthony Joshua is to remain at the pinnacle of his sport then he must avoid
life distractions like money and women, according to former heavyweight ruler
Mike Tyson.
Once considered the
"baddest man on the planet," Tyson shook up the boxing world when he
claimed the heavyweight championship aged 20.
Tyson's head movement,
defensive capability, and above all his cumulative concussive punches, saw him
demolish fighters like Trevor Berbick, Larry Holmes, Michael Spinks, and Frank
Bruno.
Though the American
possessed an intimidating aura in his heydey, he was always articulate and had
an unrivalled knowledge of boxing history. The present and the future of
boxing, though, is Anthony Joshua.
"He has the potential
to do a lot of big things," he told BBC Radio 5 Live with Costello and
Bunce. Joshua has got the look, he throws hard punches, and he fought a good
fight against Wladimir Klitschko in April, he went down and didn't have to get
up, he got hit with a good shot. He got up kind of slow but when he got up, he
finished the job."
It was Joshua's thumping
11th round knockout victory over Klitschko that convinced Tyson that the Briton
could enjoy career longevity as a champion.
"If he doesn't let his
head and his emotions get in the way he can rule for a long time, yes. He can't
get the big head, he has to focus on fighting. "When he focuses on money,
or girls, or whatever it is outside of fighting, things are going to go
downhill. You can only focus on fighting. No religion, nothing. You can only
focus on that when the fight is over."
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| World Heavyweight champions, Joshua |
Tyson's first reign as
champion began in 1986 and lasted four years. Known just as much for his the
personal problems of his past as he was for his sporting achievements, Tyson
said "the heavyweight championship will drive people crazy."
"It's like the crown of
thorns," Tyson said on BBC radio. "Everybody wants to test you, to
use you for something. It's like being the president of the United States.
"Joshua [has] got so
much pressure on him," he added. "When I was in Dubai, they had big
posters of him everywhere. He's getting up there in terms of global celebrity."
For Joshua, Tyson perhaps
expects him to take all the worldwide fame in his stride as "he's a happy
guy." Tyson said: "He's just one of those happy fighters always
saying nice things to people."
Joshua's promoter, Eddie
Hearn of Matchroom Sport recently confirmed a rematch with Wladimir Klitschko
would likely be next for his marquee client, but Tyson would welcome an all
British dust-up with Tyson Fury.
"That's one fight I'd
like to see," Iron Mike said. "Some people might think Tyson Fury is
a joke but he really knows how to fight. He puts it together really well and
Klitschko couldn't land a punch on him [during their 2015 bout] so let's see if
Joshua can land a big punch."
Fury and Joshua's respective
victories over Klitschko have really opened up the heavyweight division and
Tyson claims Joshua now has a target on his back. "All the heavyweights
are looking out for him!"
Tyson, though, clearly
expects Joshua to conquer all of those heavyweights and keep that 'crown of
thorns' for a long time.
Courtesy: Yahoo Sports
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