Mike Tyson recalled a pivotal encounter with the Sugar Ray Robinson—a meeting that shifted his commitment to boxing.
In 1984, an 18-year-old Tyson was in Los Angeles. While he was already a standout amateur, Tyson admitted he wasn’t yet “locked in” to the disciplined lifestyle required of a world champion. By his own account, he was frequently smoking marijuana and lacked focus. Tyson later met five-time middleweight champion Robinson, whose renowned stamina and conditioning inspired him to change his habits, advice he took to heart and never looked back.
“Do running. As long as you run, you won’t get tired. I’m 18 years old when I met him, smoking weed and everything,” Tyson said. “When he told me that, I went home, got dressed, and ran 10 miles,” Tyson said