Like tens of millions of other people who tuned into the Netflix fight special last night to see if Mike Tyson could beat Jake Paul in a bonafide spectacle of boxing, I’m nursing a sleep-deprived brain this morning. And I had some thoughts I want to remember later when I need inspiration. Not just about Mike Tyson, but Amanda Serrano, too.
Watching 58-year-old Mike Tyson get into that level of amazing physical condition after years of “smoking weed and eating mushrooms,” and after just 6 months of hardcore training…seriously, that was mind-blowing.
The level of mental toughness and discipline required to do what he did at 58 is incredible. He showed up and reminded us what we’re capable of.
I was probably most impressed to see Mike Tyson still has those tools in his life skills arsenal.
I thought Jake would win just because of what time the fight was going to be in Texas. Mike’s probably accustomed to being in bed at that time, or winding down. Certainly not fighting an equally conditioned 27-year-old who still has youth on his side and can get by on less restorative sleep. As the fight went on and Mike’s legs started looking pitiful, I said out loud, “Aw, man…he’s tired.” And I meant “time to go to bed” tired. Not muscle-tired. But there’s that, too.
Anyway, Mike represented! I’m 61, so I was rooting for him to do just that.
On Amanda Serrano, Katie Taylor, and Female Fighters
And how about that Amanda Serrano/Katie Taylor battle? I have never in my life seen women who could take that kind of beating in a fight. Granted, I don’t watch MMA or any of that bare-fisted stuff. But that fight was brutal. BRUTAL.
I felt sad for both women in some way. I don’t know. I just…listen, Amanda and Katie are both epic fighters, and again, just the discipline and mental toughness required to be an epic fighter is to be commended and exalted. But I didn’t like watching two young women inflict and endure that level of physical violence, even if it’s for glory, or riches, or to be #1 at something.
Especially when Katie’s eyes rolled back in her head and she kept swinging and falling forward against Amanda, whose brow was laying wide open and blinding her in one eye.
The woman and mother in me wonders what it is they draw from to inflict and endure that kind of brutality. It doesn’t feel right to me. And lest you think I’m old-fashioned, I’m a feminist if you’re looking for a label of some sort. I want women to have the opportunity to do and be whatever they want to do and be as long as they’re qualified and willing to put in the work to do it. And Katie and Amanda are certainly both of those as fighters.
It just felt sad to me at some point.
One other thing I was thinking just now. I really felt Amanda’s pride in Puerto Rico at the end, after she’d lost. When she looked at the camera and spoke to her people back home. Right? She was choking back the tears, and I’m pretty sure there was a lot of national pride in those tears. Especially because of what that comedian said, and how the news ran with the line over and over again, just driving that messaging home to people who were already hurt and offended. (Did Tony get “cancelled”? Is that still a thing people do to comedians?)
At the end of it all, major props to every fighter on the card last night. Incredible. Just for working that hard at something you love, and becoming the best you can be in the pursuit. I mean, that is the stuff of the American Dream, right? There’s always been great opportunity here for those who work hard, put the time in, and pursue their dreams with all they’ve got. The sky really is the limit.
Ya’ll have an amazing day. Go get it. And pull someone else up with you while you’re doing it.
A Portable Home Gym I Can Use ANYWHERE
As I’ve gotten older, strength training has become more important than ever. I’ve had to work hard to try to prevent bone loss, and even rebuild the bone mass I lost while taking an aromatase inhibitor as part of breast cancer treatment. Recently my physical therapist turned me on to using my body weight and a set of fitness bands for strength training. I can do it anywhere, even while watching TV, in a very small space. But I’m ready for the next level, and to work some other major muscle groups. I think I found the next level. Check this out! I can just throw this in the back of my van and head for the beach. Or take it on the road when I travel. It’s suitcase and hotel ready!
(If you use the link to purchase this portable home gym, I may receive a small commission from Amazon. Thank you for that!)
