Source: DETROIT, MI – NOVEMBER 06: Special guest Eminem performs during the Big Sean concert in his hometown of Detroit at Joe Louis Arena on November 6, 2015 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Scott Legato/Getty Images)
Mike Tyson done did it and hopped in the podcast game (we mean, why not?) and though you’d think Hotboxin’ With Mike Tyson would feature boxers from today and yesteryear, it’s actually a show that welcomes entertainers from all over the board.
His latest guest was non other than Slim Shady himself, Eminem, who mike referred to as “the only white guy that knows what it’s like to be a n***a.” Didn’t Ebro get roasted for suggesting something similar? With the both men sitting in awe of one another, Mike and Em spoke about the struggles and plights they faced throughout their lives.
From the ring to the stage at the Oscars, both men share some interesting stories about their roads to boxing and Hip-Hop history.
Here are the 6 things we learned from Eminem and Mike Tyson on Hotboxin’ With Mike Tyson.
Eminem says he started writing rhymes at 12-years-old after being inspired by LL Cool J. Of course he was trash, but needless to say he went on to become a rap icon. Millennials wondering who LL Cool J is. Heck, they probably wondering who Eminem is.
While praising Mike’s boxing career, Em admits that “boxing is hard” as he’s been boxing for 13 years, but really just sparring with Emanuel Steward who Tyson referred to as “the best.” No wonder Em be ready to shoot the fair one with anyone. Though he won a few fist fights in his time, Em admits it wasn’t until he learned the basics of boxing that he didn’t know “sh*t.” He did get his ass whipped by a 14-year-old amateur in training though.
Mike meanwhile remembers that when he did his surprise cameo in The Hangover he was just happy to do that at the time as he was in a bad place. “I was like 280 pounds, I was on cocaine – I had my prostitute girlfriend with us in the f*ckin’ trailer with me.” Whenever you refer to a hooker as your girlfriend, yeah, that’s bad. He also admits he didn’t think the movie was “sh*t” before it released and became a huge hit.
Eminem says that during his Oscars performance, the mic pack fell off his belt and was swinging between his legs. As he was rapping Em spent some time trying to stick the pack back on his person but couldn’t do so before the song was over. Luckily no one noticed and enjoyed the performance.
Interestingly enough Mike says when he was coming up boxing in his late teens, he didn’t have a girlfriend as he was just focused on boxing. “All I did was watch fights all day… I knew everything about fighting.” One of the many benefits of coming up in the pre-social media age: no temptations. Just the grind.
Looking back, Mike said walking into the ring at the beginning of his career felt “really orgasmic” but admitted he was “scared” because he was bullied all his life. Because of that he said has “sadistic because I’m afraid I’ma get hurt. I’m an animal now.” Well, that worked.
