Former undisputed heavyweight champion Mike Tyson stepped between the ropes at an Indianapolis boxing gym on Aug. 28, collaborating with comedian and Circle City native Mike Epps to mentor a new generation of youth athletes.
The private appearance took place at The Right Jab, an independent boxing facility located at 3737 Sutherland Ave. on the city’s northeast side, serving as a premier community activation for the third annual Mike Epps Community Festival weekend. Tyson spent the afternoon inside the ring, offering direct training advice, encouragement, and practical wisdom to the generations who witnessed him in his prime, as well as a generation of aspiring young fighters.
During the youth workshop, Tyson worked closely alongside former World Boxing Organization heavyweight champion and Indianapolis native Lamon “Relentless” Brewster. Brewster, who serves as a lead coach at the facility, joined Tyson in leading instructional sessions and addressing the crowd of youth and community members. Together, the two heavyweight legends reinforced the sport’s capacity to instill discipline, determination and sacrifice.
“We are going to do a little workout here today,” Tyson said to the young boxers. “Step in here and show me what you got.”
Epps, who purchased and renovated the former auto body shop to provide a structured haven for neighborhood adolescents, looked on from ringside as Tyson spoke one-on-one with the young athletes. The comedian has consistently framed the gym as a vital community intervention tool, providing local youth with a physical outlet to learn self-defense and conflict resolution as an alternative to street violence.
The atmosphere inside the facility carried a distinct sense of reverence as Tyson delivered his remarks standing directly in front of a massive mural depicting his likeness, painted by local artist Kwazar Martin.
“The reason I got to where I am is because of hard work,” Tyson said to the attendees. “I have had my ups and downs, I have been knocked out in the amateurs, but I didn’t give up. Hard work and dedication got me here.”
Tyson’s mentorship session at The Right Jab served as the opening act for his broader community engagement across Indianapolis. The boxing legend remained in the city to participate in the free Mike Epps Community Festival at Washington Park on Aug. 29, further anchoring the weekend’s structural mission of connecting families with neighborhood resources and uplifting youth.
Contact multimedia & senior sports reporter Noral Parham at 317-762-7846. Follow him on X @3Noral. For more, visit indianapolisrecorder.com.
Noral Parham is the multi-media reporter for the Indianapolis Recorder, one of the oldest Black publications in the country. Prior to joining the Recorder, Parham served as the community advocate of the MLK Center in Indianapolis and senior copywriter for an e-commerce and marketing firm in Denver.
