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The first time I met and interviewed Mike Tyson, well, lets just say things did not go well. At all. How bad was it? The headline stretched across the front page of the USA Today sports section on my story said it all: Full-force Tyson: I hate everybody.I had wound up basically nose-to-nose with Tyson, who was yelling and cursing at me, his finger poking me in the chest, as our interview -- in the dark, dingy basement of a Detroit gym -- went south in a hurry.I wound up being physically escorted up the stairs and out of the gym by his security detail, who then shoved me into a limousine that drove me back to my hotel. It wasnt supposed to be like that.As bad as that day went, it was the only time I ever had a bad experience with Tyson. In the 16 years since, I have interviewed Tyson dozens of times and never had any issues whatsoever. In fact, most of the time Tyson has never been anything but great with me, either in person or on the telephone. Supposedly you never have a second chance to make a first impression, but in this case, that wasnt exactly true.So today, on the occasion of Tysons 50th birthday, I want to share what went down the first time I ever met Iron Mike.I began covering boxing for USA Today in March of 2000, so the first Tyson fight I wrote about took place in June against Lou Savarese. But I wasnt sent to Scotland to cover it in person, so I had not yet met Tyson when he signed to face Andrew Golota at the Palace in Auburn Hills, Michigan, in October 2000.Weeks before that fight, I began laying the groundwork for an interview. The volatile Tyson didnt do many one-on-one interviews in those days, but I had developed a good relationship with Shelly Finkel, Tysons manager, and he promised he would get Tyson to sit down with me. They were, after all, trying to sell a Showtime PPV event with Golota, and the interview would serve as the basis for a sports cover story scheduled to run two days before the fight, which would give it much-needed publicity.I flew to Detroit on Monday of fight week -- the bout was scheduled for Friday night, which was unusual. I was supposed to interview Tyson at his hotel on Monday evening. I had no history with him, so I was a fresh face without the history of conflicts he had with so many other writers. In fact, I was informed that Tyson would not be doing any other print interviews before the fight. The idea was to conduct the interview in the peaceful setting of his hotel suite so that the nicer, calmer side of Tyson might come out.It was supposed to be me, Tyson, Finkel, trainer Tommy Brooks and Tysons publicist in the room. It turned out to be anything but what I had bargained for.I got a call from Finkel not long after arriving in Detroit and was told Tyson wasnt in the mood to do the interview that night, but he assured me we would do it over breakfast at his hotel Tuesday morning before the final news conference. That seemed reasonable and left me ample time to talk to Tyson and still make my late-afternoon deadline on Tuesday.But Tyson wasnt in the mood to do the interview Tuesday morning either. Finkel said Tyson would instead do it after the news conference. I was getting a little worried, but when Finkel introduced me to Tyson before the conference, the boxer was in a good mood and confirmed he would talk to me after the presser. But by the time the event ended, plans had changed. Again.Tyson decided he wanted to spar, which seemed odd given that this was only a few days before the fight. But Finkel said I could accompany them to the gym and interview Tyson there. I didnt ride with them, but a caravan of several cars took us from the presser to the Brewster Wheeler Center, a famed gym that opened in 1929 just north of downtown Detroit. Its where the great Joe Louis used to train.I was the only media member allowed in, and I was told the interview would take place after the sparring session; so much for that tranquil atmosphere.I sat at the ring apron and watched Tyson deliver a hellacious beating to sparring partner Jeff Pegues for four rounds. It was absolutely brutal. Tyson stormed out of the ring when they were done and headed for the basement to cool off and change -- and to, at last, do the interview with me.I followed Tyson and his crew to the basement, where Tyson and I sat knee-to-knee on metal folding chairs. Finkel, Brooks and the publicist all joined us, as did about 10 other guys from Tysons crew, including Zab Judah, who was defending his junior welterweight title on the undercard. They all sat behind me, creating an intimidating atmosphere reminiscent of a police interrogation scene in the movies -- there was even a naked light bulb hanging from the ceiling. The atmosphere could not have been worse, and I knew Tyson was in no mood to be questioned.But at least he was there for the interview, so I turned on the tape recorder. I still have the tape of that interview somewhere.I wanted to make Tyson feel comfortable, so I told him that I grew up near Albany, New York, not far from Catskill, where he spent his amateur and early pro days, and that I had followed his early career. That went over nicely and I thought, great, this just might go well.Not quite.The interview was a disaster. It wound up lasting maybe 15 minutes, and by the end, Tyson, still sweating from the sparring, was irate, spewing profanity and making threats.He promised to kill anyone who disrespected his family, spoke of his desire to crush Golotas skull and professed hatred for white people and the media, including going off on my ESPN colleague Wallace Matthews, who covered boxing for the New York Post at the time and had a long history with Tyson. The next day I played the tape for Matthews, who Tyson called a reptilian piece of s---.I hate everybody, Tyson said at one point.Later in the interview, Tyson said, You guys [in the media] dont got no love for me. You guys looked at my every mistake with a magnifying glass and then broadcast it to the world and then you made me a laughingstock in front of people I love, in front of my children. ... You think its a joke that Im angry at you guys? Its not going to be a joke when Im really angry and I confront one of yall. Hopefully youre not that person, brother. I thought to myself: Did Tyson just threaten me?He continued his diatribe, moving on to former promoter Don King, whom he had accused of stealing millions from him.Im an angry guy, Im bitter, Im mean because people I trusted all my life, they f----- me, Tyson said, wagging his finger. It wasnt the fact that they stole some money. I would have given it to them. But I saw what the money did to people, how it changed them. I lost everybody I ever cared and loved over money, my money. Everybody.Tyson paused to control his anger and then immediately changed course.Im sorry, he said. Im happy, Im just happy. The world is good, God is good.That attitude lasted about 10 seconds. Apparently I touched a nerve when I asked him about his infamous remarks after the Savarese fight, when he said he wanted to tear Lennox Lewis heart out and eat his children.His response: If anyone disrespects me or my family or my kids, I blow their f------ brains out. So thats the difference between me and them. You dont believe me? You do it.Another threat!Tyson was in such a lather at this point that he had leaned in close to me, almost nose-to-nose, and was pressing his finger into my chest. I was calm, but I knew we might be moments away from a really bad situation. Finkel and Brooks sensed that too, and they called off the interview. Tyson stood up and shoved the chair behind him. I got up, and before I could say anything, his security detail escorted me upstairs and into a limo outside the gym. A few minutes later, Finkel, Brooks and longtime Tyson cornerman and confidant Jay Bright got into the car. Finkel instructed the driver to take them to their hotel and then to drop me off at the one I was staying at with the other media.We didnt talk much about the interview on the ride. We all knew it had gone badly. After dropping the others off at their hotel, the limo driver got lost taking me to mine. I called my buddy Doug and said, Youll never guess where I am -- riding around Detroit in Mike Tysons limo after the worst interview of my life.I finally got back to my hotel, called the office to offer an update and then wrote as quickly as I could. The story was published the next day and two days later Tyson was credited with a third-round knockout when Golota quit in a fight later changed to a no decision because Tyson tested positive for marijuana.Five months later, I flew to Las Vegas to cover the heavyweight title rematch between John Ruiz and Evander Holyfield. A day or two before the fight, Showtime arranged to bring a handful of writers to Tysons Las Vegas mansion to sit down with him and discuss the possibility of him challenging the winner for the title. This would be the first time Tyson and I had seen each other since the gym basement in Detroit.While we waited for Tyson to come out of his room, we reporters mingled and had brunch. When Tyson finally appeared, he walked right over to me, gave me the once-over, tapped me lightly in the chest with the back of his hand and shrugged. The message came through loud and clear: He remembered me from the awful interview months earlier, there were no hard feelings, and everything was fine between us. We had a second chance to make a first impression on each other.Happy birthday, Mike.Cheap Thunder Jerseys Authentic .B. -- The Baie-Comeau Drakkar took over sole possession of first place atop the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League on Thursday with their sixth straight win. Jerami Grant Jersey . -- Nathan Pancel scored twice as the Sudbury Wolves defeated the North Bay Battalion 4-2 on Saturday in Ontario Hockey League action. http://www.cheapthundersjerseys.com/?tag=cheap-ray-allen-jersey . The Brazilian goalkeeper signed a loan deal with the Major League Soccer club on Friday as he looks to get playing time ahead of this summers World Cup in his home country. Nick Collison Jersey .C. -- Manny Malhotra had two goals and an assist, leading the Carolina Hurricanes to a 6-3 win over the Ottawa Senators on Saturday. Josh Huestis Jersey . He said Tuesday thats a big reason why he is now the new coach of the Tennessee Titans. Whisenhunt said he hit it off quickly with Ruston Webster when interviewing for the job Friday night.We talk to former Fulham coaches Kit Symons and Ray Wilkins about the vast potential of Manchester Citys Patrick Roberts, currently on loan at Celtic...Patrick Roberts hadnt heard of Jimmy Johnstone, the Lord of the Wing. He didnt even look his name up when it was mentioned to him. But the legendary Jinky still conjures up awe and excitement at Celtic. Their supporters know a winger of talent when they see one.Roberts is more gifted than most. And while, some Celtic fans might recoil at the absurdity of mentioning the two men in the same breath, the teenagers arrival on an 18-month loan from Manchester City has certainly caused a stir among those longing to be entertained. Roberts signed for Manchester City in the summer in a big-money move A £12m summer move from Fulham to City might have shocked some, but within the game Roberts had long been identified as a player of vast potential. He was part of Englands European Under-17 Championship winning side and made his Premier League debut at 17.That ability to glide past opponents; that love of being on the ball. These are the skills that lend themselves to YouTube attention and playground mimicry, even while the wait for a first senior goal continues. Roberts has shown that happy knack for getting bums off seats.Hes been introduced slowly at Celtic. Firstly, there were the whispers about some exciting performances for the development team. Then there were glimpses from the bench. Last time out at Kilmarnock, he showcased his talent with a skilful display in the second half. Andy Walker feels Celtics last gasp win over Kilmarnock could be a defining moment The calls for Roberts to start are growing. Former Fulham boss Kit Symons is someone who understands that anticipation better than most having coached the player at youth and senior level. Those prodigious gifts succeeded in capturing his imagination immediately.Pat is a tremendous footballer, Symons tells Sky Sports. Hes one of those players who you just love to watch. I remember seeing him as a real young boy when he first joined the academy and even back then as a 15-year-old he could do fantastic things with the ball.Pats one of those get-on-the-ball-and-run-at-people type of players. He just puts a smile on peoples faces. When he was training with the first-team as a kid, every now and then youd just stop and clap the things he does. When he was training with the first-team as a kid, every now and then youd just stop and clap the things he does. Kit Symons on Patrick Roberts Symons paints a picture of a youngster who just loves to play. The added colour is provided by an anecdote about him getting the bus home from training to save his mother picking him up - and this coming even after hed made his debut for the Fulham firrst-team.dddddddddddd.Ray Wilkins also worked with Roberts during his brief time as a coach at Fulham under Rene Meulensteens management and was equally impressed. His character is first-class, Wilkins tells Sky Sports. Hes a lovely lad and they get a good grounding at Fulham.Patrick is one of those guys who can change defence into attack very quickly with his pace. In the final third, hes devastating - especially at youth level. Hes a player who Rene Meulensteen and I always felt would push on. Roberts has started only one game for Celtic so far since his switch Hes a slight lad - hes not as tall as me - but he has an immense amount of ability and one I hope will shine in the Premier League.Its that build that perhaps explains why Roberts development has not been as swift as might have been expected of a player of his ability.While some fans were frustrated by Symons decision to introduce the youngster slowly, he was always going to require careful management. Physically hes not a big and strong lad so he still needs to develop but that will come, adds Symons.He needs to be integrated into first-team football and get the right opportunities at the right club and at the right time. Hell have to build it up gradually but he can go on to be an absolutely fantastic player. If he fulfils his potential hell be a real star for the future. The question for Roberts is whether, in fact, he is picking the right clubs. Concern over the decision to join City has only been exacerbated by the fact that hes seen only four minutes of Premier League action for them - coming on with the team 4-1 down at Tottenham.The subsequent loan move to Scotland might be seen as a backward step given the strength of some of the opponents in Celtics division. Is this really a step up from the Championship in which hed been playing? Wilkins has his doubts but believes it could yet work out well.I was a bit surprised when he chose Manchester City, I have to be honest, says Wilkins. Its a massive move to a massive club when he hadnt really done anything at Fulham. Itd have been nice if hed gone back on loan and made his mark in the Championship. Welcome to the real world. This is playing for points and guys playing for bonuses for their families. Ray Wilkins on Patrick Roberts But Celtics a good move for him because hell be playing with good players. You have to get in there against blokes who are going to knock you about a touch. Welcome to the real world. This is playing for points and guys playing for bonuses for their families.Symons agrees. It could prove to be a very good move for him, adds the Welshman. Obviously, it is a very physical league but Celtic should be winning more games than not and if hes playing in a team thats on top then youll see the best of him.So in that respect it could prove to be an excellent move. I do hope so because hes a lovely lad. He just loves playing football and hes got that schoolboy mentality to him whereby he just loves kicking a ball about. You hope he never loses that. Jinky Johnstone used to spend hours in the playground alone. Hed then dribble between the milk bottles he lined up near his home. Roberts certainly seems to be a player in that spirit. Now Celtic fans are just anxious to get a proper look at how good he might be too. 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