24 years ago Mike Tyson gave a famous post-fight interview that remains one of the most intense speeches in boxing history, and now an American prospect from Tyson’s hometown has paid homage, despite being just two when those words were first uttered.
Brownsville, New York has a proud history of creating world champions, despite it’s small size, but none as famous as ‘Iron’ Mike.
Following a 38-second knockout win over Lou Savarese in 2000, Tyson struck fear into the hearts of viewers around the globe, in a speech as entertaining and chilling as his performances in the ring.
“I’m the best ever. I’m the most brutal, most vicious and the most ruthless champion that there has ever been, there is no one that can stop me. Lennox is the conqueror? No, I’m Alexander, he is no Alexander.
“I’m the best ever, there has never been anybody as ruthless. I’m Sonny Liston, I’m Jack Dempsey, there is no one like me, I am from their cloth.
“There is no one that can match me. My style is impetuous, my defence is impregnable and I’m just ferocious. I want your heart, I want to eat his children. Praise be to Alllah!”
Over two decades later and another of Brownsville’s stars has hit the headlines, as Bruce ‘Shu Shu’ Carrington extended his unbeaten record to 11-0 with a fourth-round knockout win over Bernard Angelo Torres (18-1) last week, before imitating his hometown hero.
Carrington is now ranked as high as #6 with the WBO and will be hoping to become a ‘brutal and vicious’ champion over the next 18 months.