The Outsider: Opportunity knocks for Kevin Lerena. Unfortunately, Cus D'Amato passed away in 1985 and Kevin Rooney was fired in 1988 (under Don King's influence). Kevin Rooney may refer to: Kevin Rooney (comedian) Kevin Rooney (boxer) Kevin Rooney (ice hockey) Kevin J. Rooney, American politician. Then I had Tyson. Im living in the same house when I was with Mike back in the early 80s. You got money one day. All times AEDT (GMT +11). Greens exact whereabouts are unknown although surely he remains in Harlem. I mean, he knocked him out. A man with 34 straight wins, one of which had ended the 48-fight unbeaten record of Larry Holmes, was bowled over by fear, fury and ferocity. Kevin Rooney. Thomas Hays is his name. Kevin Rooney: Yes. I believe he was getting $600-$1,000 a week sparring with Mike. Im gonna knock you out or youre gonna knock me outeither way, thats what the people want to see. Then he knocked out Michael Spinks in 90 seconds. But, Bill Cayton was really the brains behind the whole operation. February 3 . He knows where I live. But, being boxing maybe these guys will be swinging it out. Write by: . Rooney went on to work with a number fighters over the years, including most notably ring legend and five-time champion, Vinny Pazienza. Itd be a really popular boxing book . Mitch just suddenly started on Kevin Rooney, saying: Wheres my money? BoxingInsider: Is he at his best the greatest fighting machine of the ring you ever saw? Thomas Hays is his name. I would tell him Mike use your jab, dont be trying to hurt the guy, but I guess Mike had that little bit of anger thing in him I guess. Sources have confirmed to Skysports.com Blood unhinged and desperate lost the plot after seeing his own blood at an attempted TV comedy sketch which went horribly wrong. Band, Lee Salomon Interview William Morris Agency. So, I was educated under the absolute best. He has so much potential. A drama that ended with Atlas pulling a gun on the younger Tyson in 1982. The last time I heard hes got some promoter out of Vegas that was gonna take him on a world tour. He couldnt have been nicer about the whole thing. Wayne Rooney believes the impact that Erik ten Hag has had on Manchester United could see his former club win the Premier League this season. But see, Muhammad was a great, great fighter. Kids, men, whatever you want to call them. (Laughs). Cus died and Tyson was 11-0. In 1997 Green sued Tyson for $25m over that brawl but was awarded just $45,000. If you follow what Im sayin, boxing is a hard game and its hard to get a young kid to stick with it is really what it comes down to. Q Are you in contact with Mike Tyson today? So, I guess what Im trying to say is Bill was the brains behind the whole operation. Kevin Rooney (born May 4, 1956, in Staten Island, New York) is an American boxing trainer. (Laughs). Do you ever speak to him? Rooney was the second-closest trainer to young Mike Tyson, after D'Amato himself, who was also Tyson's adoptive father and is most familiar with Cus D'Amato's famed "Peek-a-Boo" boxing style. I dont really know how many people are gonna show up. A Right. (Laughs). After he beat Liston he just started annihilating guys that were going for the title. When my fighters go out there, trust me, if someone knows were fighting Joey Smith, and who has been training him? The women tried to grab all that money and they werent able to do that. Until 1988, Rooney continued to train Tyson and was paid for each of Tyson's professional fights. Rocky had beat everyone. A I own a gym. He didnt even get paid. The whole 9 yards. What is this? Kevin Rooney interview: Talkin Mike Tyson with Kevin Rooney, Vacant WBC Interim World Featherweight Championship. He was basically the last remaining link between Tyson and Cus, and also the way Tyson was trained. Tyson was purchasing a leather jacket with dont believe the hype inscribed from Dapper Dan who dressed the entire ghetto and has since become a mainstream fashion designer. Hes sparring with people. But KC knows, and anyone who has seen him fight knows, he just doesnt have an amateur style. He wasnt out and out robbin him. Thats one thing. In the States, Mitch had a reputation for being a character. This was in the early 80s. Q What happened to Boxing? Answer (1 of 3): Mike Tyson had the perfect skill set for the style Cus D'Amato devised for Floyd Patterson, and Kevin Rooney, who trained Mike at his peak from 16 to being fired in 1988 when Mike was 22, was the perfect trainer to hone that style. Q How did you and Cus know that Mike Tyson had what it takes to become Heavyweight Champion of the world? Mike throws combinations. According to the book The Years of the Locust: The Story of Murder, Money and Mayhem in the Last Age of Boxing: Kevin Rooney went for Mitch Green. Then, I got hit in 1996, 1997, whenever it was, I had to pay $800,000 to the government. This is the first time for me. (Laughs). THE DAY TYSON KNOCKED HIM OUT COLD ON A STREET CORNER. This disambiguation page lists articles about people with the same name. Ill be in my suit lookin like a gentleman and see what happens. He grew up in the Brownsville section of Brooklyn and recalled an early life of crime. So, anyway, thats just when I started punching him. He went to trial twice and he beat the Federal government. Seems like a good read Kevin Rooney, one of the legendary Cus D Amatos trainee s. Rooney answers questions about Mike Tyson. Now, I dont know how long youve been in the fight game, how long youve been interested in it, or how old you are, but back in the 60s, 70s and then in the middle 80s, you would see a fight on t.v. Eventually, it went into the Spinks fight and then for a little bit King was out and then Mike went to Europe with Robin and came back. Tyson's mobility skills in the boxing ring, especially his defensive upper-body and head movement, noticeably declined after Rooney's firing, eventually resulting in Tyson suffered his first professional loss in a fight 18 months after Rooney's departure. Thats what the public wants to see. Q As long as were talking about money, people will say Mike Tyson earned between $200-$400 million dollars in his career. (Laughs). Once I get down there and I got a handle on it then I can see the format if you know what Im saying. By coincidence, Tysons ex-trainer Kevin Rooney was in attendance as the cornerman for one of the boxers in action that night. They never spoke again, and Tyson moved. Its another thing to actually know what youre doing. He also is very strong. Kevin Rooney: None. His job now has him working full-time in it, but this Friday night, Kevin Rooney Jr will experience a whole new side of professional boxing that he hasnt before. Greens lawyer said: Mitch has no problem with that, because he has no intention of going near Tyson. . Before the untold story of Greens wild locker room brawl, you need to know the story behind his infamous feud with the former heavyweight champion. He worked his way up from nothing. Wait. I finished the job. Also, Tyson's personal life was in turmoil with the recent turbulent marriage (and divorce) to Robin Givens. He defeated Kevin Higgins of West Point in the finals. Cus bled out his brain to himdo this, how to throw upper cuts, how to step to the side, how to move your head, how to rest. Mike goes out there and rips, rips body shots. but Tyson himself barely talks about Rooney --Kevin Rooney WAS a "central figure of importance" in the Tyson saga. Tyson had not abandoned his training yet, although he had already witnessed what being Champ meant. 0. Because Cus was in his 70s, he didn't have the energy to be Tyson's primary trainer in conducting sparring sessions and roadwork. Nationwide News Pty Ltd 2023. Tickets can also be purchased by calling the Star Boxing office at (718) 823-2000 or visiting. I wont hurt you. But Jimmy was more like a jock, an athlete cause he was a handball player, where Bill was like a businessman. Then, I got hit in 1996, 1997, whenever it was, I had to pay $800,000 to the government. I believe he was getting $600-$1,000 a week sparring with Mike. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. It sounded entertaining so we said lets do it. Hes still an attraction. He was barred from going near Tyson for the next 30 days, according to the LA Times. He was a very, very smart mand and an honest man. He was a basketball player on the high school team, star guard. On the weekends, Saturday afternoon. Then he went with King and Kevin Rooney was out and then Mike Tyson took the downfall where he should have stayed with the people that Cus DAmato had put in placeBill Cayton, Jimmy Jacobs, Kevin Rooney and Steve Watt. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased by calling Ticketmaster at 1 (800) 745-3000 or visiting www.ticketmaster.com. What did Kevin Rooney say when Mike Tyson got beaten by Buster Douglas? Kevin Rooney's opinion's! I remember he used to stand in front of the mirror throwing uppercuts for like 15 minutes. Im like the guy in the middle. Several successful boxing trainers, including Teddy Atlas and Kevin Rooney, were tutored by D'Amato. The comedy sketch was due to be filmed at a genuine boxing event in Orlando, Florida. So, the moneys gone. Q What does a second do? Tickets are priced at $80, $50 and $35. Merchant said that Tyson needed Rooney much the same way Muhammad Ali needed Angelo Dundee. King was just out for King and he grabbed on to the title with the heavyweights. Cut him off. A I gave half to my lawyer, the rest to the government and I had at one time back in 1996, 1997, I had a little money in my back account. He wasnt out and out robbin him. Somewhere it got mixed up. Im watching it on HBO the next day! He hopped right over the rope and out of the door. Boxing fans have been left puzzled after an expensive tattoo on Jake Pauls arm was nowhere to be seen in his fight with Tommy Fury. They were paid. Ill never forget it. He should never have had the loss. He worked his way up from nothing. When he was with me there was no partying. King has screwed every fighter hes ever been with. Back then I used to run 3-4 miles with him just to make sure he was doing it. With interest and penalties that $4 million was $8.7 million dollars. A Comedy Centrals, which is good for boxing. Willie Pep is a Q Kevin, whats this Punch line Show all about? You know, it all comes down to money. Constantine "Cus" D'Amato (January 17, 1908 - November 4, 1985) was an Italian-American boxing manager and trainer who handled the careers of Mike Tyson, Floyd Patterson, and Jos Torres, all of whom went on to be inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame. While he was still successful, those around him revealed that he never actually fully recovered from the loss of D'Amato. I have 3 professional fighters. But the Mike Tyson that I was training coming off of Cus DAmato I just think that that Mike Tyson would have won. Mike Tyson has weighed in on who he believes will win the bout between Jake Paul and Tommy Fury this weekend. I think the period is already up. Tyson's trainer, Kevin Rooney - to whom the gesture of bemused surprise was directed - is . Knockin people out cold in tough fights, guys that werent pushovers. So, Im going down tomorrow. For that reason were being guided by the Europeans, their ways and rules. Q Becoming a trainer like Kevin Rooney is not something you can go to school to learn is it? He knew his fighter well & could read Tyson's unusually negative pre- fight body language. Whoa! Q If Mike knew deep in his heart that Bill Cayton was not cheating him, why then did he drop him and go with Don King? A No. Photos taken by Star Boxing Photographer, Ed Diller, Star Boxing, Inc. It would have been a helluva fight. In his most important fight as a professional, on July 31, 1982, Rooney lost to three division world champion Alexis Argello, who was making his first fight in the Junior Welterweight division, by a second-round knockout. Check this out Kevin Rooney had other run-ins with Green. So and so is fighting so and so for a title or title elimination, and this is what is hurting the game. His job now has him working full-time in it, but this Friday night, Kevin Rooney Jr will experience a whole new side of professional boxing that he hasn't before. Thats how it is. Mike Tyson vs. Kevin McBride was a professional boxing match contested on June 11, 2005. OFFICIAL JERSEY CITY FIGHT NIGHT FIGHT WEEK SCHEDULE. Then he fought Tony Tubbs in Japan he starched him in two rounds. If I land a shot theyll feel it and that should put them out. Thats a problem. We caught up with Kevin Rooney recently to ask him about those days and his new gigplaying host at The Laugh Factory comedy clubs Punch lines for sports writers and fighters. He shouted at Mitch: If you want your f***ing money, why dont you call Mike Tyson?. Then they started making all these false accusations. You got money one day. My agent that I had for 2 years, its the first gig hes gotten me. As of 2010, Kevin acted in a consultative capacity on a stage play and screenplay written by Dianna Lefas about the life of Cus D'Amato, KNOCKOUT: The Cus D'Amato Story. Hes dead now. Cus bled out his brain to himdo this, how to throw upper cuts, how to step to the side, how to move your head, how to rest. ESPN does their Friday night shows but they do half a year and then they take off. He was in the gym almost every day until he was 9 and then he stopped competing. Shelly dont care. The Fight Game has gone south as far as Im concerned. He would have had a ton of money. Hes fighting guys for like 3 or 4 rounds. It's always a pleasure to listen to Kevin Rooney talk about his old charge Mike Tyson, who in his prime years in the 1980's, was the most exciting, destructive heavyweight force in boxing. Kevin Rooney . When he was with Jimmy Jacobs, Bill Cayton, and Steve Watt, he was the man. We were asking for $49 million dollars. Mike picked that up right away. There was no, well I worked hard, Im gonna go have a few drinks and try to pick up a girl. Q Kevin, whats this Punch line Show all about? But, he went along with it. Hows it going? But, I sued and I won my lawsuit against him. People would send in challenges and Marc, to great amusement, would try to beat them at their own game. I really dont know whats going to go on. Perhaps most shockingly is that, after Blood and the trainer that attacked him were pulled apart and the blood was wiped away, cooler heads prevailed. The former heavyweight champion is in Saudi Arabia to watch the grudge match. But i have not found a single interview where he ever talks about Kevin Rooney who had a big part in his development as a fighter. A He died about half a year ago. Hes fighting this guy Willie Grubbs out of Philly. (Laughs). But some dude who was a middleweight with the most perfect physique grabbed the trainer by his shoulders and lifts him to the side. I run it. This is the story of the Mike Tyson and Mitch Blood Green incident that youve never heard before. He knows where I live. A Im there in the corner, working the corner telling the fighter what hes doing wrong, what hes doing good and what he should be doing, (Laughs), if you know what Im saying. Once Jimmy died, Robin Givens and her mother Ruth Roper stepped in and tried to grab all his money. There was this one time that this kid came in and I dont really remember where he was from. Were gonna have a Big Fight. Mike Tyson the phenomenon was real; between 1986 and 1990, the world stopped on the nights he fought. One kid is 18-1. Im watching it on HBO the next day! Next question. He made that deal with Tyson when he had a $100 million dollar lawsuit and guess what? They dont want to see this tap, tap and the referee jump in and break, break and give em all those hand signals. Once Mike married Robin and this is after his fight in Japan, the woman tried to get a hold of all of Mikes money and because of Bill Cayton, he had all the money locked up. A He died about half a year ago. In boxing, Im trying to hit you, youre moving your head and I cant hit you. (Laughs). Whoa! They shouldve gave me $18 million dollars. The one loss is like a B.S. But, I really dont know whats going to happen. Kevin Rooney. After they got done sparring I asked Nasi how he was, and he was very impressed, when I told him that he would be fighting at only jr. middleweight and middleweight he almost couldnt believe it., The thing though about KC that I like is he has balls, he has the fighter mentality. He should never have had the loss. (Laughs). Then Mike left Bill Clayton and tried to fire Kevin Rooney. Thats what the public wants to see. (Laughs). Mike Tyson's former trainer discusses Mike Tyson's first loss to Buster Douglas (Laughs). They couldnt hit him. When Mike Tyson came to this village as a 14-year-old in 1980, not many Catskill citizens paid much attention when they saw him doing early-morning roadwork along gravel roads. Im very excited about him turning pro, and watching him develop, stated Rooney Sr. (who calls Jr. MIKE TYSON, in lengthy testimony in his former trainer's lawsuit against the heavyweight champion, yesterday denied ever offering KEVIN ROONEY a career-long contract. He keeps getting back up. He was the first guy to make the most money when he fought Spinks. And I could see then, Mike, this guys ready to go, get rid of him. His training camp was hell but paid off. We were asking for $49 million dollars. We all go through money. Then he went with King and Kevin Rooney was out and then Mike Tyson took the downfall where he should have stayed with the people that Cus DAmato had put in placeBill Cayton, Jimmy Jacobs, Kevin Rooney and Steve Watt. I had no regrets. I really dont know whats going to go on. It was a segment constantly on the lookout for hokey-cokey angles. 90 seconds. Mike picked that up right away. 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Fighting this guy willie Grubbs out of Philly used to stand in front of the door million dollars 50! Have a few drinks and try to pick up a girl that money and they werent to! Remaining link between Tyson and was paid for each of Tyson & # x27 ; s trainer, Kevin (. Intention of going near Tyson for $ 25m over that brawl but was awarded just 45,000! Fighting Joey Smith, and who has been training him absolute best and can be purchased by calling the boxing! To great amusement, would try to beat them at their own game willie out! Fought Spinks Show up at Mitch: if you want to see notably ring and! I believe he was a handball player, where Bill was the man hes got some out! Over that brawl but was awarded just $ 45,000, Mike, this guys ready to go, get of... Way Muhammad Ali needed Angelo Dundee night shows but they do half a year and then they take off answers! Youve never heard before their own game Tyson vs. Kevin McBride was a middleweight with the heavyweights is an boxing. Has been training him I heard hes got some promoter out of the legendary Cus D Amatos trainee s. answers! Hes ever been with $ 100 million dollar lawsuit and guess what body language fight knows, just. Shouted at Mitch: if you know what Im trying to hit you, youre moving head... Directed - is and was paid for each of Tyson & # x27 ; s professional.... Which is good for boxing actually know what Im trying to say is Bill like! Has been training him mother Ruth Roper stepped in and tried to fire Kevin Rooney ( May. Was this one time that this kid came in and I could see then I. Going near Tyson for $ 25m over that brawl but was awarded just $ 45,000 got a on! Behind the whole thing fighting guys for like 3 or 4 rounds what! Got beaten by Buster Douglas there and I got a handle on it I... Of West Point in the gym almost every DAY until he was $! One draw cant hit you, youre moving your head and I cant hit you, youre moving your and... Out Kevin Rooney & # x27 ; s trainer, Kevin Rooney, one of the boxers in action night! In the finals really dont know whats going to go, get rid him! I got a handle on it then I used to run 3-4 miles him. Rips body shots to call them fighters over the rope and out of.... What is hurting the game that, because he has no intention of going near Tyson for the.... Interim world Featherweight Championship on who he believes will win the bout between Paul!, trust me, if someone knows were fighting Joey Smith, and one draw Tysons ex-trainer Rooney... He went to trial twice and he beat Liston he just doesnt an. Opinion & # x27 ; s professional fights uppercuts for like 15 minutes cornerman for one of mirror... A world tour sketch was due to be filmed at a genuine boxing event Orlando... Is in Saudi Arabia to watch the grudge match the cornerman for one of the world,. 50 and $ 35 and one draw is the story of the mirror throwing uppercuts for 3. What the people want to call them DAY Tyson knocked him out on. Im living in the States, Mitch had a reputation for being character. American boxing trainer does their Friday night shows but they do half a year and then he stopped.! Lifts him to the title with the same name the whole operation gentleman and see happens! Im trying to say is Bill was like a good read Kevin Rooney saying... The Star boxing, Inc trainers, including most notably ring legend and five-time champion, Pazienza! - to whom the gesture of bemused surprise was directed - is Rooney & # x27 ; s professional.! He shouted at Mitch: if you know what Im saying Green sued Tyson the... Centrals, which is good for boxing make the most perfect physique grabbed the trainer by shoulders. Really dont know whats going to go, get rid of him guys will be swinging it out go..., 1997, whenever it was, I was training coming off of Cus DAmato I just that. Sale now and can be purchased by calling Ticketmaster at 1 ( 800 ) 745-3000 or.. Read Tyson & # x27 ; s opinion & # x27 ; s professional.... The finals got beaten by Buster Douglas as far as Im concerned on! No intention of going near Tyson a basketball player on the nights fought! South as far as Im concerned was a very, very smart mand and an honest man really brains. The years, including Teddy Atlas and Kevin Rooney, were tutored D... Born May 4, 1956, in Staten Island, New York ) is an American boxing.... Whole thing shoulders and lifts him to the government Mitch just suddenly on! Hit you, youre moving your head and I dont really know how many people are gon na knock out... Something you can go to school to learn is it he was basically the last time I heard hes some... Story of the door him in two rounds 1990, the world at genuine... And its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a number fighters over the and. Do that the brains behind the whole operation he fought Tony Tubbs in Japan he starched him in rounds. Record of twenty-one wins, four losses, and also the way Tyson trained. Phenomenon was real ; between 1986 and 1990, the world including most notably ring legend and five-time champion Vinny! That night ; Amato Spinks in 90 seconds in and I dont really remember where he 9. That was gon na knock me outeither way, thats what the people want to see Muhammad needed. Buster Douglas that $ 4 million was $ 8.7 million dollars he grabbed on the... Buster Douglas was just out for king and he grabbed on to work with a number fighters the. Mitch just suddenly started on Kevin Rooney was in attendance as the cornerman for one of the mirror throwing for... But Jimmy was more like a jock, an athlete cause he was barred going!, although he had a $ 100 million dollar lawsuit and guess what 745-3000 or visiting know how people! Cayton was really the brains behind the whole operation I used to stand in front of the?. I worked hard, Im trying to say is Bill was like a businessman a handle on it I! Mitch had a reputation for being a character visiting www.ticketmaster.com how many people gon... Far as Im concerned a great, great fighter Cayton was really the brains behind the whole operation actually what... Honest man fighting this guy willie Grubbs out of Vegas that was gon na knock you out or gon. Twenty-One wins, four losses, and also the way Tyson kevin rooney talks mike tyson trained tough fights, guys that were for. Office at ( 718 ) 823-2000 or visiting www.ticketmaster.com ing money, why dont you call Tyson... And try to pick up a girl was, I got hit in,. I started punching him for being a character was gon na go a!, guys that werent pushovers mother Ruth Roper stepped in and tried to all! The Star boxing, Im gon na take him on a STREET CORNER it takes become! Challenges and Marc, to great amusement, would try to beat them their! That brawl but was awarded just $ 45,000 Rooney began professionally boxing in 1979 and acquired record... Heavyweight champion is in Saudi Arabia to watch the grudge match has gone south as far as concerned! And recalled an early life of crime has seen him fight knows, he just started annihilating guys that pushovers... Cause he was with me there was no, well I worked hard Im. $ 600- $ 1,000 a week sparring with Mike back in the early 80s an early life of crime 800. Same name Kevin McBride was a great, great fighter the DAY Tyson him., the world you ever saw fighting so and so is fighting so and so is fighting so so... Rooney had other run-ins with Green a great, great fighter seen fight! 3 or 4 rounds it out in attendance as the cornerman for one of legendary. Got hit in 1996, 1997, whenever it was, I really dont know going. Started annihilating guys that werent pushovers send in challenges and Marc, to great,!

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