Mike Tyson weighs-in on Anthony Joshua.
Prior to his June 1 prizefight with Andy “Destroyer” Ruiz Jr, Anthony “AJ” Joshua was on top of the world! He was the IBO, IBF, WBO and WBA heavyweight champion and the unquestioned king of the UK boxing scene.
However, all that came to a crashing halt when Ruiz floored him four times before stopping him in the seventh round of their Madison Square Garden showdown. The traumatic fight was the first time that AJ had fought professionally outside of his UK backyard.
Almost before he could get out of the ring, his promoter Eddie Hearn, announced that they would be enacting their immediate rematch clause. To Joshua’s credit, all signs are suggesting the rematch will take place in America.
Not only does it appear that Ruiz Jr v Joshua II will be staged in the states, the bout is likely to be held once again in Madison Square Garden. If this turns out to the case, AJ is displaying a great deal of moxie by returning to the virtual “scene of the crime!”
A huge element heading into the rematch, as was the case in the original bout, is the question of Joshua’s mental state. Many believed that fighting away from his comfort zone and preparing in the distraction-laden area of Miami’s South Beach, was going to be monumentally off-putting for him.
His performance that followed felt like validation of those sentiments. Marching into the rematch, the notion of Joshua’s mind-state is even more important.
Mike Tyson Weighs In
On one of his recent podcasts, former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson supplied his colorful opinion on the matter. While he explained that he could prevail, he was adamant that AJ’s mind-state would play the biggest role in his victory or second consecutive defeat.
“He made a mistake, got hurt, and shit happens. He can win it back though. But his mind has to be right. He ain’t gonna win it back if his mind’s fucked up. His mind’s gotta be right. He’s gotta dedicate his life to doing this. He’s gotta stay away from himself.
“When we go training, we go away in the mountains. We’re staying away from ourselves and our thoughts. In the mountains away from everybody, just the animals and the woods and stuff. You’re facing your demons alone.
“His spirits appear well to you, but in his mind what’s going on in his mind? This stage in life is really what makes them. Because they already have money now. Now it’s all about ‘who are you?’
“Now you’re dealing with adversity, who are you? What are you gonna do now?
“Are you gonna lay down now and say, ‘Hey, I don’t want any more?’ Do you stay down and give it up, or do you believe in it?
“You got any fucking pride nigga? What do you believe in?
“Do you believe in your ancestors? Your mother, your father, your kids? What do you believe in? What have you got to fight for? And then it’s up to him. I don’t believe in shit maybe.
“I’ve got money, I don’t believe in any of this shit. And that’s cool too, if it’s not who you are.”
The Bottom Line
Since the detrimental loss, Joshua has uploaded a nearly obscene amount of social media posts depicting himself training. In the past, AJ has posted material such as this, although, never at this rate or volume.
If he is focused and not overly haunted by his nightmare night in the office, these posts are probably a good thing. However, if Joshua truly has not mentally recovered, then the posts are little more than meaningless bluster. Needless to say, it’s imperative that he have a good, mentally sound camp.
In the end, all our outside observations and opinions are meaningless. The only thing that matters is if AJ can focus, steady his mind and go to that dark inner place to fully prepare to face his only professional conqueror. Yet, no one can state this sentiment quite like Mike Tyson!
By: Bakari Simpson
