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Tony Cygan / You’ve seen him on the track.
You may have even seen him in the ring. Mr Cygan tells us
about his absence from the Motocross community. Tony has
come to terms with the same fact many will face. Some day,
the ride will come to an end. What we do now or then, will
be a choice we have to live with. Maybe we should think
about what people will say about us or remember what kind of
person we were, sportsmanlike or skillwise, because once these
moments are gone, the are gone.I was able to watch him during
his last match where he had the entire crowd alive and cheering
him on as he pummeled his way to a knockout in 1:57 in the first
round of his 3rd professional fight. Magilla,
known for his fun, clowning, and overall, good nature, was in
the zone that night. He seemed meditative, withdrawn even,
as he warmed up awaiting his match. When he was in the
ring, he waited for a weakness in his opponent, then unleashed a
quick and strong barrage of punches like…a Cyclone. |
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Receptionist:
Hello, __________, how may I help you.
MarylandMotocross.com: (Bad Irish Accent) Yes M’am, may ah speek
ta Toooony Cygaaan, pleeez?
Receptionist: You sure can, whom may I ask who’s speaking.
MM.com: Faaader Ooooo Maaalley.
Receptionist: Father… O’Malley?
MM.com: Noh, Ooooh Maaaalley
Receptionist: (pause)… Ohhh Maaaley?
MM.com: Yeees dear, I waaanted tooo say hi to da boyyy while ah waz in
towwwn.
Receptionist: Um, okay please hold.
MM.com: (To Kevin
Duffy) Man they put me on hold like it was cool! Was that a good accent?
Tony
"Cyclone" Cygan 3-0 : 3 KO
Kevin Duffy: No, not at all. You’re not going to keep acting
like that are you?
MM.com: Like what?
Tony
Cygan: Hello…
MM.com: Hello, is
this the Tornado?
TC:
No, Cyclone, how ya doing?
MM.com: Good, this
is Vance from MarylandMotocross.com, you got time for a quick interview,
you busy?
TC:
I’m working, but go ahead, what’s up?
MM.com: Okay, I
just wanted to say awesome, awesome match Friday, so you’re 3-0 now,
right?
TC:
Yeah, with three knockouts.
MM.com: All right.
How would you compare motocross to boxing?
TC:
They are both very grueling and require intense training regimens.
MM.com: What would
you say in the main difference between racing against many riders versus
fighting against one man?
TC:
Obviously, on the track many more things can happen to you, but both are
very dangerous, anything can happen at any moment at any given time.
MM.com: Your fans
would like to know if in the future, you plan to make an appearance at
the track.
TC:
Yeah, definitely. I would love to once I get some free time.
MM.com: Okay, one
of your friends who rode with you wanted to know, when he heard that you
changed your name from “Magilla” to “Cyclone”, if it is something like
Cashus Clay changing his name to Muhammed Ali?
TC:
No, uh-uh. Magilla will always be a permanent part of me.
Cyclone is just my boxing name. Magilla is an icon, a fixture.
MM.com: Cyclone does sound kool. Now, you leaving the
world of motocross and moving to professional boxing, has it affected
your relationship with Captain M?
TC:
No. M and I will always be close. He’s like a household
product in my book.
MM.com:
Outstanding. Are there any words or piece of advice from him that
stick out in your mind?
TC:
(Laugh) Yeah, definitely, like Chhhhh! Ooom- Chhhh!
MM.com: (Hard
laugh) Yeah, he’s said that to me on more than one occasion.
So, what is your best MX moment?
TC:
Umm.. taking the hole shot at umm…(pause)
KD:
Antietam
TC:
No, not Antietam.
KD:
(whispering to Vance) Yes It was.
TC:
I actually don’t remember, but ask Kevin, he’ll know, and then I
celebrated victory and then I fell off.
MM.com: If you had
any advice for anyone new to MX, what would it be?
TC:
Train hard and ride it like you stole it.
MM.com: Good motto,
good motto. If you could spend 5 minutes with anyone in the world,
alive or dead, and ask them anything, what would it be, and who would it
be?
TC:
I would ask Jimmy Hendrix what world he was in when he was playing on
stage.
MM.com: Okay, the
last match when you KOed the guy in 1:57 of the first round, you were
hitting him hard and fast, at any time did he start making any womanly
or girly noises.
TC:
No.
MM.com: Oh, I guess
Mike Tyson just faced a unique opponent that one time. The people
must know, what’s up with the KANGOL hat, are you trying to revive
old-school pimpin?
TC:
No, it’s just me.
MM.com: Who would
you say has had the most influence on your boxing career, Mrs. Yancy,
Mrs. Gentree, or Mr. Pride Rivers?
TC:
Uhhh, I would say Gentree
MM.com: What’s your
favorite track to attend?
TC:
I…would…say…Danville.
MM.com: Your next match coming up is on…November…
TC:
19th
MM.com: And it’s
going to be at the Du Burns arena in Canton, once again?
TC:
That’s right.
MM.com: When you
get ready to box, do you do anything special?
TC:
I listen to some music and disappear for a while.
MM.com: I heard a
rumor that before you ride or box there is a tradition that you held
close to your heart, and that is a cup or two of Dunkin’ Donuts coffee,
do you still practice?
TC:
Yup, still do, I’m addicted.
MM.com: Sweet, is
there any events that you’d like to attend this year.
TC:
Yes, I’d definitely love to attend a Regional or something like that,
come out and show my support for the local riders, its always big.
MM.com: Okay, Jeff
Slusher’s mom is training an elite group of people to provide Security
at MAMA events…
TC:
uh-huh…
MM.com: What if she
were to ask you to teach your boxing secrets to them?
TC:
I would… do…a secret training regimen. I’d be interested.
MM.com: What age do
you think is the best to start training in motocorss?
TC:
Five years old.
MM.com: All right.
Who’s your favorite Pro rider?
TC:
Mike Laroco.
MM.com: What would
you say, being a male, of the male persuasion, most males look forward
to at the track
TC:
Hah! Probably Mrs. Motocross.
MM.com: Any
suggestions on who could be Mrs. Motocross?
TC:
Bea Gaddy
MM.com: I was
thinking Bea Arthur myself, but I guess one Bea’s as good as another.
TC:
Possibly…
MM.com: Well, thank you very much for your time Mr. Cygan, we look
forward to your return. What time should people that plan on
attending your match at the Du Burns arena show up at on November 19th?
TC:
Thanks, I look forward to returning. Oh and about the match,
between 7 and 7:30 is fine.
MM.com: Oh, one
more thing, Rumor also has it that you have a frying pan in your boxing
locker, may I ask what you use it for?
TC:
Oh, it’s for the hot dogs…
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