As a two decade fan of Oprah, I have anticipated the beginning of her new season. This week Mike Tyson spent a full hour with Oprah. The interview covered a new documentary that was out, I remember seeing it at my local Blockbusters. I was only mildly interested because I had a very negative opinion of Mike, yet I turned it on to watch during my afternoon respite.
What struck me about the interview was Mike’s intelligence, composure, emotion and peace. I think the inner peace and wisdom I felt from him was most unexpected. I have casually followed Mike’s career over the years, although I find boxing barbaric. Yes it’s categorized as a sport, some say an art form, but beating the hell out of each other is difficult for me to understand.
Do you remember the fight Mike had some years ago which ended before the snacks were in place and your beverage of choice was sitting next to you. I don’t remember who he was fighting, doesn’t really matter, but I know those that got pay-per-view weren’t happy, it ended in minutes, a knockout in the first round. You had to admit he was a bad man!
As much as he was untouchable in the ring he was a mess in his life. Money, lots of money, can be the root of all evil, if your head isn’t on right. I don’t have any real money, but I’m just saying.
Remember the alledged rape, prison time, and the infamous bite seen around the world when he took a plug out of Evander Holyfield’s ear. Oprah covered all of this, including the death of Mike’s baby girl earlier this year. Mike had become a punch line for so many comedians over the years and I will admit I was one of those laughing, loudly.
Mike displayed a depth that I didn’t know existed. I imagine there were millions of us impacted by his honesty and purity of his words. Apparently Oprah did as well to have Mike return to the show a few days later. The interview generated many comments and questions. Oprah asked Mike if he felt the public’s heart opening up to him. He realizes he’s a work in progress, but found him to be a humble man looking for his place in the fabric of humanity.
Evander Holyfield was one of the millions watching that show and called asking Oprah if he could meet with Mike on her show. They had not spoken since that infamous fight. Mike said his apology wasn’t sincere at the time it was given, and I belive most of us “got” that too.
When Mike and Evander met, extended their hands and shook I felt a powerful, beautiful healing moment. Mike said what he needed to say for closure and Evander spoke of forgiveness he carried in his heart for Mike all this time. You heard the mutual respect of these two “iron men”. The words they spoke where not many, but the power and the scope of them was tremendous. Both men, warriors in their own right, found peace. Their peace was beautiful as well as heart warming, an experience shared by all of us. I was pleased beyond measure to know that each in their own way wanted to take this experience to our youth and stand as examples for working through conflict and coming out better for it. I don’t know about the rest of you, but this spark can do nothing less that trigger more peace as found by these Iron Men.
Namaste’
