Mike Tyson is a legendary, yet controversial public figure, best known for his boxing career as ‘Iron Mike’. He has made a name for himself as an exceptionally skilled and talented individual in the world of boxing and martial art. His work in the boxing ring has made him one of the most famous personalities in sports.
Being this good at what he did in his prime, it was certainly a big move when Tyson went on live television and humiliated martial artist turned actor, Steven Seagal’s 100-year-old martial art practice, Aikido.
Mike Tyson Showed TV Show Host How To Take Down An Opponent
During an interview with Dick Cavett on The Dick Cavett Show, Mike Tyson was asked to teach to television host how to take down an opponent who was bigger than one’s self. Tyson gladly complied, moving to a more open space where he started to teach Cavett how one’s shorter height can be used as an advantage. Cavett said,
“Can you show me why not being as tall as the other guy can be an advantage?”
He elaborated this by stating that the taller the person is, the bigger disadvantage they will have to aim lower to hit their target, while the shorter person, if calm enough, can take their time and try to spot weaknesses in their opponent’s physique. He was then asked if he looks his opponents in their eyes, to which he stated that he does not look at their faces as their faces cannot hit him, choosing to instead look at their upper body as a whole.
Mike Tyson Insults 100-Year-Old Martial Art
It was at this point in the interview when Dick Cavett revealed that he was also well-trained in a form of martial arts, Aikido. He added that he wanted to show Mike Tyson something he had learned from his training, asking the boxer to hold both his hands as tight as he could. He stated that if the 87-year-old founder of Aikido went head-to-head against Tyson, who he called the World’s Strongest Man, the founder would win due to the technique that he was about to show the audience.
“Alright, but what is the purpose? No one’s gonna mug you; Nobody’s gonna go like this?”
Cavett took his right hand, which was being held by Tyson’s left, and pushed it over the boxer’s left shoulder, which resulted in his hand freeing. While this technique may have impressed some, Tyson was not having it and stated that it was quite stupid as if someone was trying to rob you, they would not hold your hands the way Cavett asked him to hold his.