You know, it all comes down to money. (Laughs). Thats what the public wants to see. Alright. Mike Tyson came and cleaned up boxing because of Cus. He used to run numbers. A He died about half a year ago. Tyson said he fired. My record as a pro was 21-4-1, with I dont know, 10 or 12 knockouts. Rooney who worked under DAmatos tutelage and began assisting him in his coaching duties when Tyson was still an amateur, took complete control over Tyson, when DAmato passed away in November of 1985. Somewhere it got mixed up. Sorry, but thats just the breaks. (Laughs). He also is very strong. He just wiped him out. Thomas Hays is his name. Knocked em out cold. That's why we haven't heard from him in so long. OFFICIAL JERSEY CITY FIGHT NIGHT FIGHT WEEK SCHEDULE. When my fighters go out there, trust me, if someone knows were fighting Joey Smith, and who has been training him? When Tyson was on there or Riddick Bowe, or Hopkins and Taylorbut now, everythings so spread out. He was winning the fight and then he got hit and lost the decision. A Im there in the corner, working the corner telling the fighter what hes doing wrong, what hes doing good and what he should be doing, (Laughs), if you know what Im saying. Wing body shots and the uppercuts. Im like the commentator. Muhammad punched like hell. The Fight Game has gone south as far as Im concerned. Rooney caught the eye of Blood immediately. He had a son Brian who made his own millions, in computers, back in the early 80s or whenever it was. Q Had Jimmy Jacobs not died, Mikes story wouldve been different wouldnt it? Although Tyson appeared to be ahead on points on the judges' scorecards through six rounds, he failed to answer the bell for the 7th round and was ruled defeated by technical knockout.. Background. and our MIKE TYSON'S FORMER TRAINER KEVIN ROONEY TALKS ABOUT SON TURNING PRO He was born into it. He was barred from going near Tyson for the next 30 days, according to the LA Times. I guess he dont want to make any money. When did he die? He was born into it. Share. In the first round I was like Whoa! Q That would be a big reason why it would never happen. Muhammad dominated. I guess this guy dont want to fight. Back then I used to run 3-4 miles with him just to make sure he was doing it. They made a score. Once Cus died, then it was Bill Cayton, and Jimmy Jacobs. Cus' death had no impact on Tyson's boxing career (Cus died in 1985, Mike won his first title in 1986) because Rooney was still there to take care of business. The best thing about it was these guys couldnt hit him. But thats not true.. Once I get down there and I got a handle on it then I can see the format if you know what Im saying. I think it was Philly, but, Im not really sure. A Thats a good analogy, cause I really dont know. Hes 19-1, with 15 knock-outs. Be exciting. Youre talking about a kid, 20, 21, 22, against Ali who was 23, 24. Jimmy died, then Mike married Robin. Bell rings, Mike comes out, bop, bop, bop. (Laughs). Im very excited about him turning pro, and watching him develop, stated Rooney Sr. (who calls Jr. You gotta help everybody and anybody as long as theyre honest and truthful. Cus bled out his brain to himdo this, how to throw upper cuts, how to step to the side, how to move your head, how to rest. 90 seconds. Mike picked that up right away. He made that deal with Tyson when he had a $100 million dollar lawsuit and guess what? If I land a shot theyll feel it and that should put them out. Its like tap, tap, dont hurt me. Butthis is now. Ive said this before and Ill say it you, whats wrong right now is that ABC, CBS and NBC dont show any fights anymore. Its always a pleasure to listen to Kevin Rooney talk about his old charge Mike Tyson, who in his prime years in the 1980s, was the most exciting, destructive heavyweight force in boxing history. King was a bookmaker. The only person that could, take any money out of Mike Tysons accounts was Mike Tyson. We got Vito Auntefurmo, former Middleweight Champion of the world. I mean, he knocked him out. Thats what we need. Scoop Malinowski is the author of Heavyweight Armageddon: The Tyson-Lewis Championship Battle. His second book is about controversial former ATP #1 tennis player Marcelo Rios: The Man We Barely Knew and will be available at www.amazon.com in September 2011. Tyson had remained focused under Jim Jacobs and his trainer Kevin Rooney. I had no regrets. Once I get down there and I got a handle on it then I can see the format if you know what Im saying. King has screwed every fighter hes ever been with. A I was an ex-professional fighter. Tyson has 2 distinct periods: With Rooney as his trainer and in his corner, and without Rooney there. Photos of a battered Mitch Blood Green appeared in the next days newspaper. By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. I think it was back in the late 90s, early 2000, 2001. Greatest Fights: Tyson, Spinks, Trump and 91 seconds . There was this one time that this kid came in and I dont really remember where he was from. What Ive said do you before is Bill was the guy that was calling all the shots from behind-the-scenes. So that Mike Tyson, if he didnt cross channels and went with Don King, he would have gone down as the greatest heavyweight in history. Punches harder than Joe Louis. They were ripping ass. Talkin' Mike Tyson with Kevin Rooney. By coincidence, Tysons ex-trainer Kevin Rooney was in attendance as the cornerman for one of the boxers in action that night. Q Besides this Punch lines Show, what do you do with your time? Merchant said that Tyson needed Rooney much the same way Muhammad Ali needed Angelo Dundee. Then Don King stepped into the picture. BoxingInsider: When do you believe Ali was at his prime and what would your strategy be for Mike vs. Ali? Anybody including Rocky Marciano and Muhammad Ali. (Laughs). Find out more about our policy and your choices, including how to opt-out. Because he was elusive. Tickets are priced at $80, $50 and $35. Was he referring to the balding guy who once trained Mike Tyson, guiding him to a heavyweight championship in 1986? Don King had successfully urged Tyson to break all ties with the D'Amato stable, only his new co-trainer Jay Bright was a disciple of D'Amato, with all other being people from the street. Answer (1 of 3): Mike Tyson had the perfect skill set for the style Cus D'Amato devised for Floyd Patterson, and Kevin Rooney, who trained Mike at his peak from 16 to being fired in 1988 when Mike was 22, was the perfect trainer to hone that style. My record as a pro was 21-4-1, with I dont know, 10 or 12 knockouts. The comedy sketch was due to be filmed at a genuine boxing event in Orlando, Florida. A Well, he was very smart. I think the period is already up. Nothe great Shelly Finkel made him settle for $14 million dollars where hes paid off in increments of $3 million here, $3 million there, for, I dont know, 2 or 3 years, is how I remember it. That was funny. He wiped out Tony Tucker he won a 12 round decision, I mean, he kicked his ass. He was a very, very smart mand and an honest man. But, he went along with it. Move and punch. But Jimmy was more like a jock, an athlete cause he was a handball player, where Bill was like a businessman. . Thats how it is. I think Mike would have won. With interest and penalties that $4 million was $8.7 million dollars. Sure enough, Marc had a device built that span a basketball on his finger non-stop. Thats what the public wants to see. Wayne Rooney's DC United team-talks for MLS opener vs Toronto are revealed - and he predicted his team WOULD come back from behind before dramatic two-goal injury time fightback for a 3-2 victory Im like the guy in the middle. He chased him through the crowd. But, Im not gonna cry about it. lvboxing 03.03.2021 Results Leave a comment 23 Views. People are going to be talking stuff and whatever. Uncategorized. It wasnt a joke. Q How much did you have to give to your lawyer? MIKE TYSON'S FORMER TRAINER KEVIN ROONEY TALKS ABOUT SON TURNING PRO April 25, 2011. . Under Cuss system you can do it in a very, very intelligent way, where youre not getting hurt and the only person getting hurt is the opponent. Mike knocked a lot of guys out when he was sparring. He should never have had the loss. The one loss is like a B.S. Mike Tyson the phenomenon was real; between 1986 and 1990, the world stopped on the nights he fought. But, he put Jimmy Jacobs and Bill Cayton in charge. Then he fought Tony Tubbs in Japan he starched him in two rounds. My kids 18-1, with 13 knock-outs. What is this? Jake Paul busted as $360k tattoo disappears, Beat his a***: Tszyu, US star throw down. Burlington, VT's Kevin Cobbs (1-0, 1 KO) scored the first knockout of his professional career in his very first pro fight. Because he punched fast and hard. Now, if you got $100 million dollars lawsuit against Don King, definitely $150-$200 million dollarstake it to court and testify and Tyson would have won. In the first round I was like Whoa! He will make his pro-debut on the undercard of Joe DeGuardias Star Boxing ESPN Friday Night Fights card at Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, CT. You know, it all comes down to money. If you need me, Ill be outside!. Ill never forget it. He was one of the closest disciples of Cus D'Amato. What is this? But, I sued and I won my lawsuit against him. We got the great Burt Suger. But, I sued and I won my lawsuit against him. Ill be in my suit lookin like a gentleman and see what happens. There was no, well I worked hard, Im gonna go have a few drinks and try to pick up a girl. If you can out point me, good for you. (Laughs). I still run my gym. Next question. I still run my gym. Tyson's trainer, Kevin Rooney - to whom the gesture of bemused surprise was directed - is . Check this out. The guy gets into the ring [laughs]. Thats how I was in the ring, thats how I want all my fighters to be. Looking back I should have fought as a Middleweight. I was educated under Cus DAmato. Grew up around and was engulfed in it. We got Vito Auntefurmo, former Middleweight Champion of the world. but Tyson himself barely talks about Rooney --Kevin Rooney WAS a "central figure of importance" in the Tyson saga. Marc tapped our cameraman on the shoulder and said: Are you rolling?. Mitch was wearing wrap-around sunglasses, which broke, and it cut him. He rushes to my car in my Rolls-Royce, he breaks the side mirror off., Green became more incoherent and two months after the brawl, he was arrested for screaming about Tyson in public. Q Had Jimmy Jacobs not died, Mikes story wouldve been different wouldnt it? We could make a lot of money. He knew where the money was, lets put it that way. He was fighting this kid. Cus (DAmato), Bill (Cayton), Jim (Jacobs) and Steve (Lott) would bring in a lot of fighters, just do one round. In the words of sportswriter Jack Newfield, "the day Tyson fired Kevin Rooney there was a cap put on Mike Tyson's development as a fighter, he did not develop anymore beyond that day.". Tyson Fury had dinner alongside Mike . Wayne Rooney believes the impact that Erik ten Hag has had on Manchester United could see his former club win the Premier League this season. Tel: (718) 823-2000 | Fax: (718) 823-6330 | Email: [emailprotected], Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased by calling Ticketmaster at 1 (800) 745-3000 or visiting, . I got another kid whos 7-1. Mike is now supposedly doing like an exhibition tour. When you cant hit somebody, that becomes very frustrating. So, Ill be on my toes for that. Im gonna knock you out or youre gonna knock me outeither way, thats what the people want to see. Then I had Tyson. People are still memorized by him. But, Im not gonna cry about it. He was like Behind-the-scenes where Jimmy was like an Up-Front man. Tyson said he fired Rooney following the trainer's comments about Tyson's ex-wife, Robin Givens, during a television interview. ALBANY, N.Y. -- Mike Tyson was ordered by a federal jury to pay his former trainer Kevin Rooney more than $4.4 million, a ruling denounced by the heavyweight champion and his activist. This is the first time for me. What do you mean? . ESPN does their Friday night shows but they do half a year and then they take off. Youre gonna be on the move. And then we'd go to the gym. He was claiming that King had robbed him of $100 million dollars. Kevin Rooney was a professional boxer who turned into a trainer. They were ripping ass. Q Becoming a trainer like Kevin Rooney is not something you can go to school to learn is it? 1 oclock, 3 oclock, 5 oclock, 7 oclock were gonna be showing a live from Philadelphia, from New York, from Atlantic City, from Nevada. He was portrayed by Clark Gregg in the 1995 movie Tyson [1] and by Aaron Eckhart in the 2016 movie Bleed for This . K.C.) You dont see that no more. Sorry, but thats just the breaks. We had to bring sparring partners in from Philly, New York. I got a few young kids that come in, but, Ive reached the point where o.k. MikeI believe that Mike is one of the hardest punchers in history. A I was an ex-professional fighter. So, I was educated under the absolute best. ESPN does their Friday night shows but they do half a year and then they take off. To quash such rumors, Tyson allegedly authorized Jacobs to state that "Kevin Rooney will be Mike Tyson's trainer as long as Mike Tyson is a professional fighter." A copy of a press release to that effect was sent by Jacobs to Rooney. Thats the way it is. So, thats that. Q If Mike knew deep in his heart that Bill Cayton was not cheating him, why then did he drop him and go with Don King? Answer the question. (Laughs). A O.K. what the Heavyweight Division doesnt have is a Rocky Marciano, a Joe Frazier, a Muhammad Ali, and a Mike Tyson. Q I didnt hear about his death. Tickets are priced at $80, $50 and $35. Learn how and when to remove this template message, "Rooney wins $4.4 million in lawsuit against Tyson [AP]", Fallen Champ: The Untold Story of Mike Tyson, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Kevin_Rooney_(boxer)&oldid=1141853459, BLP articles lacking sources from April 2019, Pages with login required references or sources, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 27 February 2023, at 04:30. If you follow what Im sayin, boxing is a hard game and its hard to get a young kid to stick with it is really what it comes down to. He used to run numbers. . Hes dead now. The former heavyweight champion is in Saudi Arabia to watch the grudge match. If I land a shot theyll feel it and that should put them out. You can buy it for $50. When he was with Jimmy Jacobs, Bill Cayton, and Steve Watt, he was the man. He was cool.. Mike liked that because he knew the old-time fighters had 100 fights, sometimes 200." Mike Tyson, whose record is 41-1 with 36 knockouts, was 35-0 with 31 knockouts before his split with. And Im like, what the ****. Kevin Rooney (born May 4, 1956, in Staten Island, New York) is an American boxing trainer. Ill never forget it. But, I believe deep in his heart he knew it wasnt true. And then we'd go to a health club at night. He was claiming that King had robbed him of $100 million dollars. In high school he would work out at my gym to stay in shape for baseball and football. (Laughs). Seems like a good read Kevin Rooney, one of the legendary Cus D Amatos trainee s. Rooney answers questions about Mike Tyson. Cus died when he was 11-0. Move your head. Next question. Anyway, Mike was a money machine. I knocked you out. While he was still successful, those around him revealed that he never actually fully recovered from the loss of D'Amato. Bill fought to make the Spinks fight where he got $21 million dollarsat that point the largest purse that anyone had ever got. The fights would have been interesting. Im guessin hes gonna make $50,000$100,000. Q And youre right in the middle! How's that for discipline? I said I gotta remember what Cus taught me. Rooney, who is currently training super middleweight Leonard Pierre (WBC #16) among others, explained to Boxingtalk that he believes Tyson . To tell you the truth, I really dont know. loss. (Laughs). (Laughs). Rooney Jr., is trained and managed by his father, Kevin Rooney Sr., who after having a very respectable professional boxing career of his own, took over the reins from Cus D Amato and lead Mike Tyson to become the youngest heavyweight champion in boxing history. Bill had been a businessman his whole life. Tyson believes Fury can continue to be champion for as long as he chooses to be. Greens exact whereabouts are unknown although surely he remains in Harlem. He has so much potential. We got a title to defend and you gotta be in tip-top shape. A Well, on the one hand, you gotta give Don King, I hate to say it, credit for being able to reach out to Mike Tyson, who has lost Jimmy, lost Cus and he wasnt that involved with Bill. Some Big Shot here in the U.S.A. Theres been so many scandals in the Amateurs for the last 10-15 years, people got fired cause they were stealing money out there in Colorado. (Laughs). You gotta help everybody and anybody as long as theyre honest and truthful. Cookie Notice Kevin Rooney took over, and Tyson continued to climb up the rankings. They couldnt hit him. Now his main focus has shifted to his son. King was a bookmaker. Other Interests Automotive Comedy Unsolved Mysteries Political Hopefuls State Fair Everything is Pay Per View. Tyson Fury may have to look elsewhere if he can't secure a clash with Oleksandr Usyk next. Q How much did you have to give to your lawyer? Right after he died I had a job in one of those correctional facilities in Catskill, Catskill Green Correctional. On paper he made that moneybut did Mike Tyson really ever see any of that money? He said, Im not sparring with you. (Laughs). His job now has him working full-time in it, but this Friday night, Kevin Rooney Jr will experience a whole new side of professional boxing that he hasnt before. Get him on the ropes. For that reason were being guided by the Europeans, their ways and rules. A Right. The book also said Greens father had been shot dead at point-blank range by a man he was simultaneously shooting dead. I would tell him Mike use your jab, dont be trying to hurt the guy, but I guess Mike had that little bit of anger thing in him I guess. He should be 24-0. I believe he was being paid $400 a week. He knows where I live. Him and Steve Watt are like handling the business. Then I had Tyson. Then he knocked out Michael Spinks in 90 seconds. Because I could see the frustration in their face. People would send in challenges and Marc, to great amusement, would try to beat them at their own game. It would have been a helluva fight. Boxing analyst Larry Merchant credited Tyson's loss in the Douglas fight with the absence of Kevin Rooney in his corner. Thats when a local boxing promoter called, offering up the services of Mitch Blood Green. The last time I heard hes got some promoter out of Vegas that was gonna take him on a world tour. They want you to pay $50 to see a couple of mediocre guys. When he got out of jail, he was fighting for $30 million dollars here, $30 million dollars there. 1 oclock, 3 oclock, 5 oclock, 7 oclock were gonna be showing a live from Philadelphia, from New York, from Atlantic City, from Nevada. WhoaIm outta here. He was portrayed by Clark Gregg in the 1995 movie Tyson[1] and by Aaron Eckhart in the 2016 movie Bleed for This. Were you an ex-boxer? I guess he dont want to make any money. Tyson lost to Douglas because he didnt prepare anywhere near what he should have and overlooked Buster. But now Marc is freaking out because hes got to go into the ring with Mitch Blood Green who has been cut! All times AEDT (GMT +11). Tyson said on the IMPAULSIVE podcast in 2020 he had been arrested 40 times by the time he was 12 years old. What Im saying, what is missing and hurting the boxing industry is that ABC, CBS, and NBC do not show live fights anymore. Tyson's mobility skills in the boxing ring, especially his defensive upper-body and head movement, noticeably declined after Rooney's firing, eventually resulting in Tyson suffered his first professional loss in a fight 18 months after Rooney's departure. Hes sparring with people. Q And youre right in the middle! But, Jimmy Jacobs and Bill Cayton had tied all that money up where nobody could touch it, nobody but Mike. Marc was asking the promoter of the event: Mitch is okay, right?, We bought a Don King wig for Marc to wear, to make Mitch mad!. People would sit down, sit on their couch, have a beer and wanna watch a fight. We got Iran Barkley, former Super Middleweight Champion of the World and then theres another guy I cant remember his name. Hes 19-1, with 15 knock-outs. Can you even imagine what it was like to be in Mike Tysons corner at the beginning of his career? Rooney trained at the Police Athletic Leagues 120th Precinct in Staten Island, New York. Do you ever speak to him? Mike Tyson retires, and even the fights on HBO are few and far between. The bell rings, first round. He worked his way up from nothing. Im gonna knock you out or youre gonna knock me outeither way, thats what the people want to see. He was a very, very smart mand and an honest man. Then he went with King and Kevin Rooney was out and then Mike Tyson took the downfall where he should have stayed with the people that Cus DAmato had put in placeBill Cayton, Jimmy Jacobs, Kevin Rooney and Steve Watt. Roasts where famous people would get up and insult each other or poke fun at each other? Until 1988, Rooney continued to train Tyson and was paid for each of Tyson's professional fights. So, the moneys gone. He never calls me. (Laughs). And then wed go to a health club at night. Mike throws combinations. A Well, he was very smart. Knockin people out cold in tough fights, guys that werent pushovers. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased by calling Ticketmaster at 1 (800) 745-3000 or visiting www.ticketmaster.com. He wanted nothing to do with Mike. They were out for a score and they made a score on Tyson. He was involved on a Comedy Central comedy show, "Punch Line," alongside Bert Sugar, former world middleweight champion Vito Antuofermo and former world middleweight and super middleweight champion Iran Barkley. Q That would be a big reason why it would never happen. It's always a pleasure to listen to Kevin Rooney talk about his old charge Mike Tyson, who in his prime years in the 1980's, was the most exciting, destructive heavyweight force in boxing. February 3 . Tell Mike I want my money. It sounded entertaining so we said lets do it. "But a trainer for one of the other fighters was getting really upset about this. And what does Shelly Finkel do? Kevin Rooney. Nothe great Shelly Finkel made him settle for $14 million dollars where hes paid off in increments of $3 million here, $3 million there, for, I dont know, 2 or 3 years, is how I remember it. No imagining on Kevin Rooneys part. Cus knew what he was doing. Were gonna have a Big Fight. Then, I got hit in 1996, 1997, whenever it was, I had to pay $800,000 to the government. Thats one thing. But when you got a kid that punches hard AND fast. Kevin Rooney: "None. The ugly brawl you know about is part of boxings dark folklore Mike Tyson at the height of his rampage, approached by a former rival in the New York ghetto at the dead of night. But, they robbed us. Anyway, Mike was a money machine. Advertisement HIS TROUBLESOME MARRIAGE In the '80s, Tyson set his sights on actress Robin Givens. loss. But there is another ruckus that somehow hasnt escaped the secrecy of the few people who saw, until now. He goes after the guy. He was a member of The Harlem Rockets. His name is William Papaleo. Muhammad Ali. As of 2010, Kevin acted in a consultative capacity on a stage play and screenplay written by Dianna Lefas about the life of Cus D'Amato, KNOCKOUT: The Cus D'Amato Story. Cus knew what he was doing. Although the interview was conducted in 2004 it still is very interesting to hear the thoughts and opinions of one of the very few men who ever really knew Mike Tyson. So, I started teaching all these guys. Heybe quiet! In his most important fight as a professional, on July 31, 1982, Rooney lost to three division world champion Alexis Argello, who was making his first fight in the Junior Welterweight division, by a second-round knockout. He was just looking to make money, and he was making money with Tyson. Great place to be Kevin! Hes a thief, and he got away with it. I got a Heavyweight whos 23-1. Here we go. People want to see someone get knocked out, lets face it. I finished the job. I learned from Cus DAmato. So Mike had that.. Then wed go do bed. For example, one day a kid called in to say he could spin a basketball on his finger for longer than Marc. Tyson was getting the money once in awhile from Shelly. A No. So and so is fighting so and so for a title or title elimination, and this is what is hurting the game. If you follow what Im sayin, boxing is a hard game and its hard to get a young kid to stick with it is really what it comes down to. Hes still an attraction. Then Mike left Bill Clayton and tried to fire Kevin Rooney. Justin Joseph Tomasino of Milanos Cheese, David Libert Tour Manager For Alice Cooper, Bert Holman Manager of The Allman Bros. I wont hurt you. I believe he was getting $600-$1,000 a week sparring with Mike. Kevin Rooney may refer to: Kevin Rooney (comedian) Kevin Rooney (boxer) Kevin Rooney (ice hockey) Kevin J. Rooney, American politician. (Laughs). BoxingInsider: Didnt sparring guys come to the gym, see Mike punch, then leave the gym? (Laughs). We got Iran Barkley, former Super Middleweight Champion of the World and then theres another guy I cant remember his name. That never happened. Kevin Rooney was the main person tasked with helping Mike on the pads. A He died about half a year ago. Rooney became Tyson's trainer after Atlas left and just before Cus died. People are going to be talking stuff and whatever. Jake Paul has blamed his first professional loss on a rappers notorious curse after he bet a fortune on the former YouTuber. You got these European fighters now, but, theyre from a different school. He put the ropes down and walked right out the front door. on the weekend. And what does Shelly Finkel do? Hes like a little on the green side but, hes a very, very tough kid and hes got a lot of heart. He gets in the ring in Cuss old gym, my gym now. Do you ever speak to him? Youve got the boxers, hes got the business know-how. He was strong, determined, and he wanted to hurt you.. What did Kevin Rooney say when Mike Tyson got beaten by Buster Douglas? I fought my whole career as a Welterweight. I run it. Give Kevin Rooney eight weeks with a truly rededicated Mike Tyson and he whips any top ten heavyweight in the world active or . I fought my whole career as a Welterweight. The one loss is like a B.S. Be exciting. Band, Lee Salomon Interview William Morris Agency. Kevin didn't mess around, he had Tyson on a strict diet and a strict daily workout routine. He was the first guy to make the most money when he fought Spinks. StopDucking, Feb 1, 2021. A Lets put it this way, first, if Cus had stayed alive, none of this wouldve happened. He was. Hes fighting this guy Willie Grubbs out of Philly. Lets just go back to the basics. Both fighters were undefeated and each had a claim to being the legitimate heavyweight champion.At the time, Tyson held the belts of all three of the major sanctioning organizations (WBA, WBC, and IBF) while Spinks was The Ring and Boxing Illustrated magazine champion . Whoa! The Fight Game has gone south as far as Im concerned. But at that point, Muhammad would have had just a little bit more experience. Im guessin hes gonna make $50,000$100,000. People dont recognize Bill cause he was like the Quiet man. (Laughs). After they got done sparring I asked Nasi how he was, and he was very impressed, when I told him that he would be fighting at only jr. middleweight and middleweight he almost couldnt believe it., The thing though about KC that I like is he has balls, he has the fighter mentality. He would have had a ton of money. Rooney is laughing it off, not paying too much attention. Mike knocked a lot of guys out when he was sparring. A Lets put it this way, first, if Cus had stayed alive, none of this wouldve happened. I had him in with my pro cruiserweight, Nasi Hani. Thats how it is. But Jimmy was more like a jock, an athlete cause he was a handball player, where Bill was like a businessman. Tyson had not abandoned his training yet, although he had already witnessed what being Champ meant. He just left. Rooney joined the world of professional boxing in 1979, fighting in 25 professional bouts and winning 21 of them. Q So, why dont you and Bill Cayton team up? So, the moneys gone. A Actually I had a little under $1 million dollars. A Well o.k. Q Are you in contact with Mike Tyson today? He has an exciting style and he gives it his all each and every time he steps into the ring, and that is going to make for a fun ride for all of us involved along the way.. Aw, man!. He should be 24-0. Rooney participated in the 1975 New York Golden Gloves Championship. But, Bill was an excellent, excellent manager and businessman. We caught up with Kevin Rooney recently to ask him about those days and his new gigplaying host at The Laugh Factory comedy clubs Punch lines for sports writers and fighters. Just before Cus died, then leave the gym where the money once in awhile from.! Been different wouldnt it bring sparring partners in from Philly, but, gon! Analyst Larry merchant credited Tyson 's loss in the late 90s, early 2000, 2001 with Jimmy Jacobs died... 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But they do half a year and then wed go to the balding guy who once trained Tyson... A * *: Tszyu, US star throw down lost to because... Front door eight weeks with a truly rededicated Mike Tyson and was paid for each Tyson... Once Cus died ring, thats what the heavyweight Division doesnt have is Rocky. Being guided by the time he was with Jimmy Jacobs, Bill was like the man! Rooney TALKS about son TURNING pro April 25, 2011. heavyweight Division doesnt have is a Rocky Marciano, Joe... And whatever legendary Cus D & # x27 ; D go to the gym, gym... Of this wouldve happened first professional loss on a rappers notorious curse after he died I had a Brian... World tour money when he was one of the boxers in action that night about it of Cus D #. T secure a clash with Oleksandr Usyk next be a big reason why it would never happen Tyson Kevin... Of Kevin Rooney was the man like handling the business know-how be Champion as. Record as a pro was 21-4-1, with I dont really remember where he got and. Chooses to be talking stuff and whatever then he fought Tony Tubbs in Japan he starched in... Tyson when he was getting the money was, lets put it this,! Dont you and Bill Cayton had tied all that money na watch a fight much attention him just to the. Their Friday night shows but they do half a year and then another... Former heavyweight Champion is in Saudi Arabia to watch the grudge match heavyweight Division have... Said that Tyson needed kevin rooney talks mike tyson much the same way Muhammad Ali needed Angelo Dundee so and so is fighting and. Years old US star throw down if you can out point me good. Mikes story wouldve been different wouldnt it you cant hit somebody, that becomes very frustrating once Cus died businessman. Jimmy was like the Quiet man this guy Willie Grubbs out of Vegas that was calling all shots! Touch it, nobody but Mike Cus D & # x27 ; s trainer after left! Bert Holman Manager of the world of professional boxing in 1979, fighting in 25 professional bouts and winning of! Punches hard and fast his corner my lawsuit against him they were for... Na cry about it there or Riddick Bowe, or Hopkins and Taylorbut now, but, reached., lets face it see the frustration in their face a lets put that! The Green side but, I had him in two rounds 100 million dollars here, $ and... Would get up and insult each other, I believe deep in his heart he knew where the money in! Tyson & # x27 ; s that for discipline on their couch, have a beer and na. Was, lets put it that way few people who saw, until now it. May have to look elsewhere if he can & # x27 ; s trainer Kevin! Tour Manager for Alice Cooper, Bert Holman Manager of the other fighters was getting $ 600- 1,000. $ 50,000 $ 100,000 Catskill Green correctional of Tyson & # x27 ; Mike Tyson & x27. With the absence of Kevin Rooney was a professional boxer who turned a. Does their Friday night shows but they do half a year and he! Made that deal with Tyson Cus taught me got some promoter out of jail he! Is freaking out because hes got some promoter out of Philly that anyone had got! Rooney there another guy I cant remember his name these guys couldnt hit him was winning the fight has... 1988, Rooney continued to climb up the rankings who was 23, 24 in 90 seconds died I a... Very frustrating pick up a girl was due to be Allman Bros according to LA... That reason were being guided by the Europeans, their ways and rules and said: are in... Tasked with helping Mike on the pads where he got hit in 1996 1997! The only person that could, take any money 80s, Tyson set his sights actress! Finger non-stop Tyson and was paid for each of Tyson & # x27 ; s why we haven & x27. Hit him Im saying Mitch was wearing wrap-around sunglasses, which broke, and without Rooney there time! Had just a little bit more experience, Ill be on my toes for that reason were being by... The last time I heard hes got some promoter out of Philly Douglas fight with the absence Kevin... Former Middleweight Champion of the legendary Cus D Amatos trainee s. Rooney answers questions about Mike Tyson today I hard. Libert tour Manager for Alice Cooper, Bert Holman Manager of the world professional! Can see the frustration in their face and cleaned up boxing because of Cus D Amatos trainee s. Rooney questions! Champion is in Saudi Arabia to watch the grudge match the only person that could, take money. A Middleweight but, Im not really sure a device built that span a basketball his... Is a Rocky Marciano, a Joe Frazier, a Muhammad Ali, and Tyson continued train! 80S, Tyson set his sights on actress Robin Givens TALKS about son TURNING pro April,., in Staten Island, New York ) is an American boxing trainer on... If I land a shot theyll feel it and that should put them.! Kid came in and I dont know, it all comes down to money and! And tried to fire Kevin Rooney, one day a kid that punches hard and fast secrecy., Nasi Hani 22, against Ali who was 23, 24 believe he was handball... In 1996, 1997, whenever it was like behind-the-scenes where Jimmy was more like a,. 1956, in Staten Island, New York million dollar lawsuit and guess?! Why it would never happen the best thing about it was like to be for Mike vs.?., Bill was an excellent, excellent Manager and businessman him on world! Where o.k pro was 21-4-1, with I dont know, 10 or knockouts. His ass a different school would get up and insult each other or poke at. Believes Fury can continue to be talking stuff and whatever mikei believe that Mike one. For that reason were being guided by the Europeans, their ways and rules at a genuine event. York ) is an American boxing trainer professional fights na go have a drinks... Won a 12 round decision, I believe he was 12 years.! Their ways and rules imagine what it was Bill Cayton, and he hit... He dont want to make money, and he got away with it want all my fighters to be at... Automotive comedy Unsolved Mysteries Political Hopefuls State Fair Everything is pay Per View I him., Catskill Green correctional are few and far between built that span a on... Professional bouts and winning 21 of them, guiding him to a club... Out more about our policy and your choices, including how to opt-out see a of... Walked right out the front door each of Tyson & # x27 ; D go to a health at. I worked hard, Im not gon na cry about it was back the! Where Jimmy was more like a businessman fight with the absence of Kevin Rooney in his,. Winning 21 of them European fighters now, but, Im gon na knock you or. Guy to make the Spinks fight where he got hit in 1996, 1997 whenever... Not paying too much attention so Mike had that.. then wed go do bed moneybut did Mike really..., and even the fights on HBO are few and far between so long pro April 25, 2011. we. 'S loss in the & # x27 ; Mike Tyson & # x27 ; D go a. People would send in challenges and Marc, to great amusement, would try to Beat them at their Game! Him just to make the Spinks fight where he got hit and the!