Speaking with Zab Judah for VLAD TV, Mike Tyson reflected on the night Tupac lost his life and felt somewhat guilty as he pressured Shakur to attend his boxing match.
Tyson and Shakur had mutual respect for each other as their bond formed back in 1991 at a club in Brooklyn, New York. Since then their interactions were limited as the two spent time behind bars, but they always made sure to rep one another whenever possible.
And rep they did. Tyson in his prime, as he dominated the boxing world, would have Tupac’s customized entrance music as he walked out to the ring.
As Tyson made his way to the ring for his boxing match against Frank Bruno on March 16th of 1996, Tupac’s “Road To Glory” was the anthem for Mike’s entrance. After Tyson’s victory over Bruno in the third round, Suge Knight and Tupac met Tyson for a victory celebration backstage.
Months later and Tupac would record one last entrance song for Mike Tyson. Although Tupac was able to complete the record “Let’s Get It On” just in time for the September 6th bout against Bruce Seldon, Shakur almost didn’t make it happen. A day before completing the record, Tupac was busy in New York as he attended the MTV video music awards show.
“My first round’s for the times that I spent in a cell
The second round for the media and the lies they tell
The third round for the pain that I felt inside
Best recognize, I won’t be denied
When we ride,” Tupac (Road To Glory)
Speaking with VLAD TV, Tyson spoke about pressuring Tupac for the record. “I felt a little guilty about him coming to the fight, me pressuring him, ‘Hey don’t forget the tape’, said Tyson during his sit down on VLAD TV.
After the fight, Tyson had promised Shakur that he would head to Suge Knight’s Club 662. But, Tyson never went as he stayed home with his then girlfriend and mother of his child.
Shakur would end up getting shot up as he and Suge Knight made their way to Club 662. Tupac would fight for his life for days, until he passed on September 13th.
Four years later, Mike Tyson repped Tupac one more time as he entered the ring to “Ambitionz Az A Ridah,” The bout against Juluis Francis took place in AO Arena Manchester, United Kingdom on January 29, 2000. Tyson won the bout with a second round knockout.
