A Champion Reflects on What’s Been Lost
Growing up in New York during the 1980s, Mike Tyson had no shortage of opportunities to sharpen the skills that would eventually make him the most feared heavyweight in the world. Local shows, state fairs, national tournaments — the competition was constant, and the stage was always there.
Today, Tyson sees a very different landscape. The once-glamorous title of heavyweight champion, long considered one of the most prestigious prizes in sports, no longer commands the same attention in the United States. To him, boxing has drifted from the mainstream spotlight it once dominated.
Launching a New Platform for Young Fighters
That concern is what inspired the 59-year-old Hall of Famer to help create the Mike Tyson Invitational, scheduled for March 12–14 in his adopted hometown of Las Vegas. The event will bring together some of the nation’s top amateur boxers, giving them a high-level platform to test themselves against one another.
Tyson believes rebuilding the sport starts at the grassroots level. He recently watched several amateur bouts and came away thinking the country simply doesn’t have enough boxing clubs or competitive opportunities. Back in his day, he could fight at the Ohio State Fair and then travel across the country for another major tournament just weeks later. That steady rhythm of competition, he argues, is what helped American fighters stay sharp and competitive on the world stage.
To match other countries, Tyson says, the U.S. needs to restore that kind of depth and frequency. “We need more competition,” he said, emphasizing that exposure and repetition are critical for developing elite talent.
Protecting Boxing’s Olympic Future
Tyson’s concerns extend beyond the professional ranks. He is particularly focused on boxing’s place in the Olympics. Until the International Olympic Committee confirmed last March that boxing would remain part of the 2028 Summer Games in Los Angeles, there were real fears the sport could lose its long-standing position in the global event.
For Tyson, keeping boxing in the Olympics is about more than tradition. It represents a pathway for young athletes to gain international experience and for the sport itself to stay relevant on the world stage. With initiatives like his new invitational, he hopes to help rebuild the foundation — and restore American boxing to the prominence it once enjoyed.
