Maricopa Kids Join Mike Tyson in Bold Move to Revive Presidential Fitness Test

Heavyweight boxing legend Mike Tyson joined youth from Arizona’s Boys & Girls Clubs at the Arizona State Capitol on June 6, 2025. The event aimed to promote physical fitness among children, a critical issue highlighted by State Rep. Teresa Martinez.

Martinez organized the event to launch the Statewide Fitness Challenge, a project designed to encourage daily physical activity among kids. Tyson, a six-time world champion, participated in this initiative, which seeks to address the alarming decline in exercise among youth.

“Arizona kids deserve every chance to grow up strong, confident, and healthy — and that starts with movement,” Martinez remarked. Her motivation stemmed from hearing that many military recruits fail to meet fitness standards, prompting her to advocate for a revival of the fitness test discontinued in 2012.

Recent findings underscore the urgency of this challenge, with reports from the Physical Activity Alliance indicating that only one in four children engages in the recommended hour of daily physical activity. This stagnant statistic reflects a broader issue that seems to defy improvement.

Martinez acknowledged this growing concern, citing past discussions about reinstating the presidential fitness challenge as a catalyst for her initiative. “I thought, ‘That’s a great idea; I should steal that idea,’” she said, expressing her commitment to revitalize fitness standards.

Teaming up with multiple sponsors, Martinez launched the Statewide Fitness Challenge in collaboration with the Arizona Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs. The initiative invites participants to track their progress in basic exercises, emphasizing simple activities like planks and push-ups.

The decision to involve Tyson was strategic. His local educational efforts, including a microschool that incorporates fitness into the curriculum, exemplify the values Martinez wants to instill. “He’s wonderful with kids,” she noted, reflecting on their previous meetings.

During his brief visit, Tyson engaged with the kids and even judged a push-up competition among attendees, leaving a lasting impression on the young participants.

One of those captivated was 11-year-old Steven Calderon, who expressed his excitement about meeting such a famous figure. “It was nice. I was a little nervous because I’ve never met such a famous person before, but I liked it,” he shared.

Matthew Lemberg, the executive director of the youth organization, praised the event as an incredible opportunity. “Even the adults here are excited. It’s just an amazing occasion as part of our statewide alliance to come together at the Capitol,” he commented, underlining the importance of fitness initiatives backed by legislators.