Heavyweight champion talks of bullying

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) – Jamey Rodemeyer’s suicide has touched millions of lives in just the past few days. Now, we’re hearing from a world-renowned athlete who is sharing his own story of bullying.

Five time heavyweight champion of the world, Evander Holyfield, joined the gang on Winging It! Buffalo Style to talk about his role in a documentary called, “Road to the Ring,” which will debut at the Buffalo Niagara Film Festival this weekend. But what does this living legend known for throwing punches think about bullying?

Holyfield said, “One thing my mother taught us was not to bully nobody.”

Growing up in Atmore, Alabama in the 1960′s, Holyfield was the youngest of nine. He siad bullies wouldn’t dare approach him.

“I came from a big family and if one person fought, everybody was going to fight. So ain’t nobody messed with our family,” said Holyfield.

But Holyfield knows not everyone’s that lucky. He was saddened when he heard about 14-year-old Jamey Rodemeyer’s pain and suicide.

Holyfield said, “My mother said words didn’t hurt, but words do hurt. But my mother said the only reason why they hurt is because you allow them to hurt.”

Holyfield takes the punches in the ring, and those bruises eventually go away. He believes the pain from the bullying will go away, too. And he says the bully will have his day.

“Eventually he’s probably going to get bullied himself because whatever you dish out will probably come back to you,” said Holyfield.

Holyfield has said “It’s not the size of a man, but the size of his heart that matters.” And when it comes to bullying, what could be more true than that?