By Vitali Shaposhnikov: In recent EA Sports Fight Night interviews for their Fight Night Champion video game, four world champions were interviewed. Bernard Hopkins, Mike Tyson, Tommy Morrison, and Joe Frazier, all sat down to talk about their experiences in the correctional facilities, and how they possibly gave them an edge or extra insight in boxing.
Of course not everyone who had success in boxing came out of the impoverished, neglected, or disadvantaged lifestyle. I don’t exactly know the breakdown, but many fighters were simply born into boxing, or discovered it early in their childhood.
Still, I wonder if there really is any advantage gained from a prison or jail experience. Maybe it toughens a person up mentally, giving them the extra self confidence to push further. Such could certainly provide a man with regularity and order. I have heard that sometimes people come out more organized and humble, taking more care in things they end up doing.
I thought the videos were at the least interesting to watch, giving us a chance to learn a littler more about boxing’s greats.
“There are two graveyards: one in the dirt, and one in the penitentiary. Prison has a face of its own. Everybody is watching everybody. Everybody is watching the strong become prey.” – Bernard Hopkins (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x6A4rdVRyzM&has_verified=1)
“I came home, I took a bad and stuffed it with moss, corn cobs, little briquettes, some of momma’s old clothes or my old clothes. Making it a heavy bag. That’s how I got my boxing ability.” – Joe Frazier (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RzPWruZ_MKo)
“I sat there and listened to him for twenty minutes, and couldn’t hold myself in the chair any longer. Told him I can punch a hole in his f**king head about that big around. So I punched him out. Hit him a couple of times and that was it.” – Tommy Morrison (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cDDy4QlTTkQ)
“I think the reality of prison is that you don’t get anything unless you want it in there. Whatever happens to you in prison, this is what you asked for. Nothing happens to you if you don’t give that vibe. If you don’t want to get killed or stabbed, don’t go in there thinking I’m running this show.” Mike Tyson (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pZZlO4E3158)