Mike Tyson Reveals 2 Boxers Who Inspired Him to Fight — No Muhammad Ali

Mike Tyson, the legendary former heavyweight champion, shocked many when he revealed that Muhammad Ali was not the fighter who truly inspired him to step into the boxing ring and fight for pay. While Ali undoubtedly sparked Tyson’s early interest in the sport, it was a completely different fighter who Tyson credits with influencing his aggressive, fearless fighting style.

In a candid conversation on the Good Trouble podcast with tennis star Nick Kyrgios, Tyson was asked about the boxers who shaped his career. Without hesitation, Tyson named Roberto Durán as his primary inspiration, saying, “He’s number one.” Tyson went on to explain how Durán’s unapologetic nature resonated with him, saying, "He was not ashamed of being who he was. I related to him as a human being.”

Tyson, who broke records to become the youngest heavyweight champion in boxing history at just 20 years old, emphasized that Durán's savage mentality and toughness were qualities he admired and aspired to embody in his own career. “As my career progressed and people started praising me for being a savage, I knew that being called an animal was the highest praise I could receive from someone in the ring. I was ferocious and fearless like Duran,” Tyson admitted.

When Kyrgios asked Tyson why he didn’t immediately mention Ali as his greatest influence, Tyson was blunt in his response: “No.” Tyson explained that while Ali sparked his initial interest in boxing, it was Roberto Durán and Sugar Ray Leonard who truly ignited his desire to fight. “Ali caused me to be interested in boxing, but Roberto Duran and Sugar Ray Leonard made me want to fight.”

Despite this, Tyson has always expressed deep admiration for Ali’s skill and resilience. Reflecting on his own career and his admiration for Ali, Tyson once remarked, “I saw him in the ring with killers, like George Foreman, Ernie Shavers — guys that hit much harder than I did. And he took those guys’ greatest punches, and that’s what made him such a champion … he made them believe he was invincible.”

Tyson’s comments highlight a key distinction between the two boxing icons. While Ali’s legendary status and unmatched charisma paved the way for Tyson’s early interest in the sport, it was Durán’s raw intensity and unyielding spirit that Tyson ultimately admired and modeled his own career after.