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The War of Words
Before high profile fights the
two boxers quite often engage in a 'War of Words'.
Here is an example of quotes
between then WBC Heavyweight Champion Frank Bruno and Mike Tyson in a build up to their March 1996
title fight.
Frank
Bruno:
Its now payback time, I'll
get my revenge, and I can't wait to get my hands on him.
This is my time, Tyson had
his time. I'm not being flash or cocky. I'll knock him into Don
King's [fight promotor] lap. The whole world will be against Mike
Tyson.
I don't think I'm
going to knock him out I know I'm to do it.
It's in my favour him only
having 8 minutes in the ring since his release from prison. Deep in
his brain I don't think he's ready for this fight, but he was
contracted for this fight. He reckons my 5,000 fans will be going
home disappointed does he? He must be crazy. I am a proud champion
and have no intention of embarrasing myself.
A lot has been said ... his
manager saying I'm going to end up dead. All that stuff makes good
reading. Yet Tyson still works behind closed doors. Why does'nt he
open them. Those sparring partners he's supposed to have knocked
over, he's probably got some of them to trip up.
Even when he asked questions
at press conferences, he does'nt really talk.
Beating Mike Tyson will look
good on my CV.
I hope I showed dignity the
last time I fought Tyson, even though I now know I was'nt ready for
that fight, Mentally and Physically, I was'nt ready. I was a bit
young, not matured. Nothing to do with fear. This time I am
ready. An all-together, all-round better fighter. I don't hate
Tyson. I hate talking about the possibility of defeat. Waiting for
the verdict the night I won the title, I was longing to hear the
announcer say 'the NOO Heavy Weight Champion of the World'. Next
week I'll be waiting for his to say 'and STILL' Champion. I'm going
to hear it, believe me. I'm going to make it happen. I've trained
for 8 weeks now and done nearly 170 rounds. It has been my most
rigourous preparation ever. No Champion in history has wanted it
more than me.
I will knock Tyson out
spectacularly but it wont be easy. I know I will have to dig deep.
It will be rough, tough, nasty and vicious. But I love flying the
flag for Britain and I'm ready for that. People ask me about
Tyson's rightful place in boxing history alongside other names, I'm
not interested in that right now. What I do know is his place on
March 16 - On the floor.
The Americans are still
saying he is this and that. Some claim he's as good as he ever
was. I hope so because thats the kind of Mike Tyson I'm ready for.
Revenge is going to be so,
so sweet. (Tyson had previously KO'd Bruno in 1988)
Mike Tyson:
I find it interesting that
Mr Bruno is talking brave and courageously. We'll see.
I'm in the best condition of
my life, and I'll become the champion of the world again. I have no
problems with his extra weight. It means nothing to me. Trust me -
I'll do a good job.
Bruno can't believe deep in
his heart that he's going to knock me out.
I'm going to go through him
like a hot knife through butter.
I have to win, I've no
choice but to win.
FIGHT RESULT:- Mike Tyson won KO Round 3
  
The reason why the fighters release these goading type comments in
media interviews is to help promote the fight so that as much of the public
as possible are
aware its going on. In addition they are attempting to get the
psychological advantage over their opponent by trying to make them
doubt themselves.
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