"He Made Me Cry!" Joe Egan Reflects on Sparring a 17-Year-Old Mike Tyson

"He Made Me Cry!" Joe Egan Reflects on Sparring a 17-Year-Old Mike Tyson
Actor and former Irish Heavyweight Joe Egan aka The Toughest White Man On The Planet, reveals what it's like sparring a 17-year-old Mike Tyson.
Watch the full episode of the George Groves Boxing Club Podcast with Joe Egan here: • George Groves Boxing C...
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[@user-zz5wk8dr3w]

This is why mike tyson to this day respects big joe,total gent

[@bibekjung7404]

KAVER GOD ALMIGHTY creator of all SOULS❤😊

[@marvinhunt8276]

In Mikes prime, if you didn't respect him before the fight you sure as hell did after.

[@1247.cccccc]

TO THIS DAY!

[@michaelgibbons6273]

He didn't respect him! He just used his as his bitch!

[@markozbunjol625]

@@kirks.1854 lol stop it hater. you are delusional. rigged hahaha, consoiracy< theorist

[@vantheman1238]

Joe Egan comes across so well. Good bloke.

[@marvinhunt8276]

I learned a new word. "Bloke." Yes he is a good bloke.

[@elmalloc]

agreed

[@nogglebeak]

he's very soft spoken for a man that size, and there's even points in there where the shadow falls just right upon his face where he actually likes like mike. maybe mike sculpted a semi-portrait?

[@22CONSERVATIVEFELON]

Never saw this guy before, he's got an awesome disposition, character and class

[@jimmynich4791]

He is, I remember watching an interview with him, I think the interviewer was Bernard O'Mahonney, anyway Joe was talking about how he lost his pub and down on his luck did some things he shouldn't have and ended up doing some time, then he got upset and said that it upset his parents him going to prison and how low he felt. He was just so honest and showed such humility when quite often you'll hear big tough guys brag about going to jail, for him it wasn't anything to be proud of, gotta respect a guy like that.

[@22CONSERVATIVEFELON]

Yes I sensed his aura. I myself served over twenty years in prison, served 17 years straight. If someone brags about that they are a fool. I have used the experience to persuade lost, addicted and troubled youth from making the same bad decisions @@jimmynich4791

[@festihead]

@@jimmynich4791 its called 'old skool' where people respect each other, know when they're beaten and can respect their winner! Strength comes from the mind and this lad shows it off really well for us older generation of fighters!

[@jimmynich4791]

@@festihead It's a shame more people don't have the 'old skool' mentality.

[@RidgebackHQ]

He’s been wheeling this story out for decades but you can’t blame him, it’s a decent claim to fame.

[@brentfaulkner1980]

Way to let that man talk and express his full thoughts and stories. Good job on not interrupting.

[@Scudzzorz15]

This needs to have more upvotes. The interviewer let him cook.

[@luisantonioduarteah-hoy9663]

Tbf, Egan's way of telling stories is so captivating that any interviewer wouldn't want him to stop talking.

[@Pulsonar]

What a guy, looks like he’d knock your lights out if you look at him wrong, but he’s very nice and humble heart of gold material.

[@tedjohansen1634]

The way Mike's eyes light up in interviews when Joe is mentioned etc... always brings a smile to my face. ;)

[@RancorousSea]

Nah, I'd win

[@shanetaylor761]

Yeah it kinda comes across the second you hear him speak.

[@MorningWoodFairy]

Time humbles us all (reprise)

[@Virvum_Juggernaut]

I’ve known several men with a similar affect and they all secretly possessed tempers which engaged at the flick of a switch when a slight against them is perceived and diffusing any situation with that degree of temperament is no given.

[@borgullet3376]

That's gotta be the best Mike story I ever heard... GOD Bless you Joe.

[@qdontae6]

Right I love stories like this before the drug and prostitute stories..just straight boxing from a young focused innocent (in mikes standards) Tyson

[@Raughwe]

The Irishman are so incredibly kind and are natural story tellers. And their cadence is like a poetry. The paralanguage, they invented it. It's impossible not to love them. Egan is like the epitome.

[@JokersNtheOddball]

How do u feel about Irish American descendants who think they are fighters

[@Raughwe]

@@JokersNtheOddball I think it's hit or miss. Some are extremely keen, not all. I would say their biology is more tailored to music (and maybe a taste of drink) than fighting. I think almost all Irishmen are frustrated musicians. Like a labrador takes to the water. Many are very tough, but some have no draw to that. I'm only half, so what the hell do I know!

[@malarki5]

So true!

[@user-lf1br8md9x]

Like hobbits 😂

[@liftme225]

Mike Tyson is just a man on top of the mountain alone. The more i read or hear about Tyson the more i respect this man.

[@frostymugger95]

He's quite literally a boxing historian.

[@Venserql]

I guess you haven't read about his rape conviction.

[@303machine]

@@Venserql I guess you haven't heard about false accusations.

[@Virvum_Juggernaut]

⁠​⁠​⁠​⁠​⁠​⁠@@Venserql A very dark-minded Tyson at the time had just lost his mentor / father figure and Robin Givens had just divorce him.That lying trollop originally set him up for a significant payday and went up to his room and invited herself inside … all under her own steam and of her own volition. She easily manipulated the drunk Tyson into sex it and the remainder of her insidious plan was all down hill from there.

[@Thereallevan]

​@@303machine doing three year ain't false. And if you read his bio he never said he didn't do it.

[@bluecheese4877]

Surprisingly eloquent for a guy who said he wouldn’t have done well at school.

[@LifeSlushie]

He would have been fine. Isn’t it charming how society writes off children based on their circumstances.

[@Virvum_Juggernaut]

He’s the antithesis of eloquence and you’ll find that he tellingly said : “I didn’t do good in school.”

[@harshbutfair8993]

@Virvum_Juggernaut Eloquence isn't just about your education or even the grammar that you use, it's also about the heart, sincerity and intent the words are trying to convey, in that, Joe Egan comes across very eloquent for me.

[@keenannorris3309]

@@harshbutfair8993 Well said.-- From a Professor of English

[@Virvum_Juggernaut]

@@harshbutfair8993 Eloquence (n) : is the attempt to get a set of ideas into the mind of another through persuasive, articulate, elegant means, such as using clear expression and verbal charm. When something is beautifully and perfectly spoken or written, it’s described as eloquent. Hence, my description of him as ineloquent is accurate. Edit : I never stated that an education is necessary for eloquence.

[@kashaid]

Its funny how as they age joe and mike have started to look like each other

[@frank_e_stein]

….. hole e shit, they do!

[@felina7849]

Funny how?

[@Knockout_KINGZ]

@@felina7849that as they age they start to look like each other. Can you read?

[@felina7849]

@Knockout_KINGZ yeah I can read. Can't you comprehend writing nuances in specific contexts? How is this funny? Is that better?

[@kashaid]

@@felina7849 two young friends who don't look like each other, seems to resemble one another as they age which is funny to at least 100 people but I guess your not one of them - felina smile a little, will make your day much nicer

[@drunkinmaster1]

Mike has been knocking out full grown men in the gym even when he was 14 years old.

[@MeLoNHeAd00]

And will still be doing it well into his 90's😅

[@Pootie_Tang]

@@MeLoNHeAd00 bless him, but I hope he'll have a peaceful oldness to himself

[@Raider78988]

In the ring and in the streets

[@yggdrasild755]

he was on roids

[@driessen16]

@@yggdrasild755no he was not. He has the Congo genes. The guy was build like a tank when he met Cus and Cus didn’t even believe he was 13. He had to proof it with his birth certificate.

[@Art-gq7ul]

I’m glad to have heard this story!!

[@AthelstanEngland]

Same

[@RiVALgx88]

Cus raised him right, and Joe is a legend.

[@battlevain]

What a class act of a man. He is what you call a true gentleman. He had destructive power and can take a beating, but it is his humility and grace that demonstrates the true character of the man.This is the type of man that learn from.

[@flangmasterj]

I could listen to this man talk for hours.

[@trn8061]

Mike is a gentleman and a scholar of boxing. So intellectually underestimated.

[@ryanmartin1779]

Mental to think that was 40 years ago

[@frank_e_stein]

….. goddamnit 😂

[@mustafahamsho5310]

Yeah, how could it possibly be so long ago...

[@ryanmartin1779]

Lol well 86 was 38 years ago lol

[@dshadow3173]

I knew a guy that sparred with Tyson back in the 90's. He was allowed to wear the head gear. After 3 rounds, this guy called it quits. They had to cut the head gear off because his face was swelling up too fast.

[@juannito6318]

No you didn't know a guy typical wierd online behaviour 😂😂

[@dshadow3173]

@@juannito6318 Would you like to bet? I'm sorry your life is so dull and that you live in a basement, kid.

[@juannito6318]

@@dshadow3173 stop projecting kid you're the one in the basement and being a wierdo online don't embarrass yourself boy

[@dshadow3173]

@@juannito6318 get out and touch some grass, kid. I'm truly sorry that other's life experience really make you so butt-hurt. Don't be miserable all of your life.

[@Tyrosine0910]

​@@juannito6318 Do people like you think it's somehow cool, poignant, or otherwise edgy to accuse people of lying any time they share something remotely interesting from their past?

[@powertoconquer]

Really like this man, honest, straight to the point ,humble, good story teller , and extremely articulate considering he has been fighting for all those years.....

[@thebillybonney]

Had the pleasure of acting alongside Joe on a Bollywood movie in Birmingham UK. Such a lovely, kind hearted person. Was great to hear some stories from him firsthand.

[@paulrowan1310]

Great interview, just listening to Joe talk, no interruptions, just letting him tell his stories.

[@serpentinefire921]

Shut up

[@silverbck8347]

This was a side of Mike Tyson that wasnt told, a menacing oooonent in the ring but a wonderful person outside, Im happy watching Tyson now that he doesnt have all the bullshit he had before when he was still fighting.

[@edntz]

Mike said he could've beaten Larry Holmes at age 16. And i believe him.

[@H.K.5]

He was like 17 when Henry Tillman beat him twice lol

[@martytdd1606]

That was the 1982 version of Larry Holmes, im not sure even a 21 year old Tyson beats him.

[@edntz]

@@H.K.5 Beat as in a judges decision in the amateurs where a knock down counts as much as a single jab? Robberies happen.

[@johnnyesponge9218]

​@@martytdd160682 Holmes would have jabbed mikes head off

[@oygTriggaRu356P]

@@martytdd1606he won’t the heavyweight champion belt at 20 when Trever got put on his ass I whole heartedly believe Larry would’ve folded with a 21 year old mike

[@stevengrainger2338]

Big Joe will always be my godzila he's the most loveable man mounting with a heart of gold

[@oldironsides4107]

Yuck.

[@harveysmith100]

I find it absolutely laughable that John Fury is going around saying he is going to fight Big Joe. Fury wars a second rate boxer in his day. He wouldn't have lasted a day in Tyson's training camp but Joe lasted years. Gobshite is the word.

[@sliccric2266]

Apparently Lennox Lewis was afraid of John Fury and avoided him like the plague, so said big John in an interview a few years bac😂😂😂 isn't John's record like 4-4 or something lol

[@barrystevenyoung4818]

The first biography i read in my youth was about Mike. He was an inspiration in terms of not letting your background stop you from making a good life.

[@vincentdegennaro3375]

Love these warriors talking honestly, no fake bravery, just saying it as it is…marvellous. Kudos to you Mr Egan.

[@shovelhead4558]

What a gent he is

[@frank-ko6de]

This is the most introspective analysis. Much respect.

[@samuelelite123]

This was a great interview.

[@DylanFowler]

Joe seems honest, and tough as old leather, I can see why Mike likes him so much.

[@paulgriffin3750]

It's incredible story.

[@leonidus336]

JOE Egan what a man ,was there at the lyndhurst pub when he ran it ,this man doesn’t know how to step backwards only forwards and take on all ,God Bless Joe your Legend

[@seanaguilar1637]

Such a raw, honest, deep conversation. Love what that man had to say👍

[@artistryinstone5576]

Tough fella. I think we all would agree .brave soul right there.

[@ianwoods1384]

Hello Joe and everyone, With respect, I'm just a spectator. I've never boxed, so I greatly respect you and all these people who have. I've been fascinated by Mike Tyson all my life, now 53, first seeing Mike defeat Trevor Berbick in 1986. I couldn't believe my eyes, what I saw in that bout. To me, Mike Tyson was the epitamy of what in my subconscious I'd expect the Undisputed Heavyweight Champion of the World to look like. Mike had the best body I've ever seen, anywhere. One of his stares would put you in hospital for a week! Mike won many of his fights with his ring walk and rolling his head from side to side. Wow! In 1988, Mike fought Michael Spinks in the most lucrative fight at that time. Michael Spinks was a world-class boxer, though when he walked into the ring at that time and faced Mike, he was a quivering wreck! He was petrified!! I've written many times about how great Mike was, though I get replies saying he fought no one and he was frightened of Riddick Bowe, blah de blah! Bowe was a great fighter, but Mike feared no one, absolutely no one. Thank you, Joe, for your stories about meeting Mike. How nice he was with you and how he was interested in Irish boxing, but what a force he was too! With great sadness, Mike was seen by many as academically useless as he'd done little schooling, and seemingly, all he did was knock people out. Mike's knowledge on many things is vast and a credit to him. The facts were, he didn't learn much at school, at schooling age as he had a tough upbringing and schooling life. Thank you, Joe, for telling us about your time with Mike. It was fascinating and fantastic listening to your story. Thank you so much, Ian.

[@allanhughes7859]

I just love folk like this chap as honest as the day and the one you want watching over you in bad times love you fella just love you !!!!

[@paulharris4216]

WOW true words of a fighter, about another fighter.this is how it supposed to be is peaceful.we win or loose we still be men about it and this man is a real up spoken man for being honest.

[@Milkydrummer]

What a character

[@tuckerwebb5336]

Amazing watching this. Tyson is just incredible....

[@RelentlessRocksolid]

This was a Phenomenal interview. Best Boxing interview I've seen all year. 💯

[@finnmcginn9931]

What a phenomenal story teller. He's got a gift for it.

[@slacktide5675]

What a humble, gentle warrior this guy is

[@trevorray6212]

I need to watch this full episode. The history, the nostalgia. This man was around legends, he must have such stories to tell. I could listen for hours on end.

[@wrotedog]

Big joe egan back with them REAL prime mike stories.

[@markrobby7136]

Mike Tyson is very educated about other's culture, and he appreciates people. I'm glad a great and humble Irishman like Joe speaks on Tyson. Irish are great people.

[@nicktaylor684]

Beautiful Was smiling all the way through that. What a great story and felt the love there Shows how these really tough men have such spirit and heart. Thanks for that Joe

[@Bozzy__96]

This guy played in Scott adkins movie Avengement 😂 badass fight scene

[@FCReggae]

Nice interview , boxers are crazy , I love the respect they have for each other and the pride they have in their craft .

[@John-mf1sz]

Wow, guy is majorly humble. Glad he’s still the same person he was back then. Awesome to listen to. Every second.

[@Alan-yd5ng]

That's a very good interview big Joe very modest man

[@ghostcrabman]

Wonderful story! A big hearted man.

[@isabellalive2.081]

SO Many Many Times ! Humble , What a gentleman .

[@joeclarke1841]

One of the best of all time, I'd genuinely love to meet Joe. Salt of the earth, great lad and what an honest rendition of the meeting with Mike.

[@tomchekotevski9105]

Tyson and the rest of the legends champions of boxing deserve their own chiselled bodies of stone like Mt Rushmore as they have earned it through hard work and dedication to the sport of boxing. They should never be forgotten.

[@markwalker4142]

Marvellous story . Thanks Joe . You’ve led an amazing life .

[@jamiebull3267]

Nice to hear what is clearly a very tough man, be so humble and genuine

[@collinsaunderson9225]

Well done you have my respect for what it is worth you are a man for being that honest 👏🏻

[@wisdomseeker3362]

Now this is a great interview!🎉

[@karate357]

Thank you guys for a wonderful interview I’m very glad to have heard it.

[@wolfganghasenmaier8350]

Joe is a gentle giant. I have no doubt he can be extremely dangerous and efficient when it counts. Especially on the street where it`s the toughest fights of them all. He has that rare charisma. A charisma very similar to Iron Mike.

[@dalfog2468]

Jon fury shoukd take notice of how a genuine hard man conducts himself.

[@CVR-2023]

Humble, honest and respectful. Who would of thought it looking at him. Never judge a book by its cover. 👏

[@andrew9145]

Such a cool interview. Love hearing positive things about Tyson.

[@johnashworth4094]

Great interview with a very humble man ,bless you sir

[@AndrewByrom-zn8bi]

Amazing interview and insight from you Joe thankyou

[@raykarena4595]

What a great storyteller I could listen to his life story all day

[@tonyward1932]

I have met Joe a few times. true gent first and foremost and I am sure and extremely tough strong man.

[@natkinson443]

Mike is for real... cause he's got so much respect.....The true natural

[@xmindk]

Thank you for this story!

[@DrayClay]

Damn, this was fantastic. Well done 👍🏿

[@motobenbh4722]

What a lovely interview. Such a man!

[@billbbobby2889]

A real athletic beast to get into the ring with mike. Great story of camaraderie from a very articulate respectful man. Great knowing and hearing that he doesn't have those cobwebs from getting punched too hard / much. Sad to see the damaging effects from many fighters.

[@MrL3igh]

Mike Tyson said he was his sparring partner

[@baoho7293]

Great strories. Thank you.

[@jayannan9897]

Great story man❤

[@ElectrikMe]

What a great guy! Love his voice, too.

[@ironmantwilliam]

Big Joe absolute legend 💪🏽

[@bozotheclown935]

Wow, super interesting interview. You are an amazing character Joe. Best interviews are from the heart warts and all. Brotherly love from Australia.

[@bozotheclown935]

@percapita1239 Brisbane....

[@KingThoyMedia]

We are surely experiencing a monumental time in history I’m perplexed to see Mike Tyson performing at this caliber.

[@chrisbennett6260]

absoutlte increadible story

[@Fester_]

I enjoyed that, great article, thanks all of you.

[@JGunit]

I could listen to the million stories i know he has all day long, and twice on Sunday

[@salvajeasp757]

I’m a fan of this dude now!

[@thejaco6234]

Please interview my Uncle DavidJaco - retired tough man champ turned pro with no experience at age 26 ...heavyweight journeyman/ palooka/contender ? Fought 10 champs - first to get up 3 times from a19 year old Tyson , beat Razor Ruddock , went ,distance with at least champs - fought foreman on comeback , toured China with Ali , etc etc. crazy career & crazy stories . He wrote a book & is in Florida Boxing Hall of Fame ,

[@oldironsides4107]

Sight Mr jaco rayping one of my goats as the horse barn was locked up that night and the week earlier it turns out me jacko left his boots in the horse barn with his name writte. On the inside of the tongue of his boots. He was extremely pathetic. And begging not to kill him or press charges. I didn’t as he was so pathetic I pittied him

[@EBthere]

I really enjoyed this. What an amazing guy Joe Egan is.

[@wt0729]

I could listen to this guy talk boxing all day.

[@JohnDoe-fh4gd]

I really like this guy! Humble and humorous.

[@martinpye549]

I've met Joe on a few occasions at the boxing here in the UK , and some time ago at a charity event in Stoke. He gave a talk about his struggles in the world, and you could hear a pin drop in that room. His book " The Hardest White Man On The Planet " is an amazing read. ( Referring to what Mike Tyson called him). My missus refers to him as the " book guy, you know , the absolute gentleman". And that he is. Massive respect for the fellow. AussieMart.

[@ReverZe83]

Great story and told so well, what a legend 👌👌🙏

[@user-ci4wi7yk4n]

What a gentleman this man is

[@bisi3082]

Super bloke - met the big man once, polite and respectful

[@fullclip_nz]

Joe - so well spoken, appreciate it !

[@scottydees2748]

Love it. What a gentleman.

[@A7ibAllah]

This guy is such a good man, he used to come to Flex Fitness in Birmingham and help everybody out, most welcoming man you’ll ever meet.

[@jimsteele7108]

This guy is awesome.

[@H3RU_X]

Top bloke Joe, met him a few times in Hull at my work as he's friends with the owner. Class act

[@2007sssss]

Great insight 👍

[@gavinross2471]

I love this guy.

[@HerbertDuckshort]

Big Joe Egan. Top man.