For many fathers, having your child grow up to be happy and healthy is all that you really want out of life.

But at the same time, to see your child follow in your footsteps in life can be a tremendous source of pride.

That’s not the case for this legendary boxer, though, as he basically begged his son not to follow in his footsteps.

Boxing’s heyday has surely come and gone.

Sure, Internet celebrities and washed up athletes are trying to generate a comeback for the sport – so long as it grows their bank account, of course – but the days of heavyweight bouts being amongst the most watched sporting events on the planet is over.

Despite that, the sport’s biggest stars, especially those who were part of boxing’s height, are still massive stars in today’s world.

Names like Muhammad Ali, George Foreman, Sugar Ray Leonard, Joe Frazier, and Evander Holyfield are basically just as revered in the sports world today as they were years ago.

But one boxer has entered the mainstream in a way few others have, thanks to equal contributions from his boxing ability and absurd antics inside and outside the ring.

Of course, that boxer is none other than Mike Tyson, who is still considered “The Baddest Man On The Planet,” and one of the greatest, most vicious fighters the world has ever seen.

Tyson has obviously had his problems – like biting off ears, legal issues, and bankruptcy – but he’s still managed to continue to be a rather prominent celebrity and made a great life for him and his family.

But just because boxing gave him and his family a life few will ever experience, doesn’t mean he wants to see his children follow in his footsteps.

In fact, if Iron Mike had his way, his kids would use the life they’ve been given to do something – anything – else.

Tyson opened up about his feelings in a recent episode of his podcast, Hotboxin’ with Mike Tyson, while talking about his oldest son Amir’s desire to enter the boxing world.

According to Tyson, Amir, who’s 24-years-old, has expressed to his father that he has an interest in getting involved in the YouTube/celebrity fights that Internet stars like Logan and Jake Paul have pioneered and brought to prominence.

But despite the fact that Amir is simply wanting to fight amateurs, like himself, Mike Tyson still isn’t a fan, and admitted that he’s all but begged his son not to do it.

“I have my kid, the oldest one, he’s 24. He wants to do this so bad. I said, ‘Man, just chill the f**k out.’ He wants to fight Logan Paul and those guys,” Tyson said. “He wants to do that. I said, ‘Man, just get a job. Get a real estate license. Just chill out, man. Why can’t you take advantage of your lightweight wealthiness? Just chill.’ You don’t want none of that heat. I’m telling you.”

“This (fighting) drives people to commit suicide, getting humiliated in front of millions of people. You gotta be able to take that pressure and heat,” Tyson continued. “Not many people can do it. It seems like a lot of people, but the people doing it is such a small percent. It’s probably one percent.”

It’s fascinating to see a guy like Mike Tyson open up like this.

For many, he’s still one of the toughest, most vicious – and possibly even insane – humans on the planet.

But to tell his son that all of the rewards that can come from boxing aren’t worth the costs, and to simply take advantage of the wealth he’s been born into by getting a regular job as a realtor and enjoying life proves that when it comes to his family, there is a different Mike Tyson than the one we’ve seen all these years.

Tyson has had the highest of highs in boxing, but also the absolute lowest of lows, and he’s going to do everything he can to protect his son from going through the same.

And no one can fault him for that.

Sports with Balls will keep you up-to-date on any developments to this ongoing story.

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