When Mike Tyson came calling

Mumbai: Amidst the crowd that gathered outside a five-star hotel here came a convoy of three cars that stopped at the police’s decision. In a white SUV in the middle was Mike Tyson seeing the hustle and bustle of the city for the first time in his life.  

The former heavyweight champion is visiting India for the first time and he is hoping to make the most of it.

A journalist asked him whether he would have a party with Salman Khan as rumoured but he has other plans in Mumbai.

“I would love to (spend the night with a Bollywood star) but I want to visit the slums,” he said here on Friday.

Tyson himself grew up in the streets of New York. He has mentioned in many of his interviews that his father spent his time in the streets. He believes that slums and streets are the areas to find a talent in combat sports.

“The real talent lies in there (slums). I have been brought up there and I think that’s where you find the real talent. They are the people who work hard,” he said.

Tyson is here as the face of the Kumite 1 MMA League. The fight night will take place on Saturday. When asked if he would be a MMA fighter in his career, he replied in his own style. “I would love to but they don’t pay as much as boxing,” he said.

He then commented on the boxing match between Conor McGregor and Floyd Mayweather.

“I feel that the (Floyd Mayweather vs Conor McGregor) fight was amazing. I was entertained throughout,” he said.

Tyson has also hailed Anthony Joshua to become the next big thing in boxing. The British boxer has been on an undefeated streak in professional boxing with 22 wins. He seems to have the master’s approval.

“I think Joshua is quite promising. I am excited about him,” he said.