Mike Tyson Tells Sparring Partners: Kick My Ass Or You’re Fired

Former heavyweight boxing champion Mike Tyson has revealed he is his sparring seriously hard ahead of his eight-round exhibition bout against Roy Jones Jr.

Tyson will return to the ring for the first time in 15 years on November 28 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. The 54-year-old has revealed that he is taking training seriously and is demanding anyone sparring with him brings it.

“I’m the only boss; if you don’t kick my ass, you’re fired,” Tyson said during an introductory news conference officially announcing the fight. “That’s how sparring is going. Everyone’s doing their best and if you’re not doing your best to hit me, you have to go home. That’s what fighting is all about. I’m paying a guy to kick my ass, if he doesn’t kick my ass, he has to go, he’s fired.”

During camp Tyson says he is getting flashbacks to his early years in boxing and his rise to the top of the sport.

“I’ve been boxing younger guys and harder guys, and they’re assuring me that I’m doing very well. I’m looking forward to this,” Tyson said. “The last time I was 215 pounds, I believe I was 18 or 17 years old. I’m really happy with everything that I’ve been doing. Just total confidence and self-affirmation, it’s just amazing. I’m ready to do this stuff. I can’t even explain it with words.”

Tyson and Jones Jr. were once set to fight more than 20 years ago. Two decades on ‘Iron Mike’ maintains that the pair will be taking part in a “real fight” later this month.

“I look at film of Roy when he was at his best because that’s the guy I anticipate fighting,” Tyson said. “I’m in the best shape. I boxed seven rounds so far and it keeps improving. I’m boxing younger guys and hungry guys and it’s showing me that, from the looks of things, I’m doing really well.” (Transcribed by Boxing Scene)

Do you think Mike Tyson should be training 100 percent ahead of an exhibition bout?