The former champ is launching a career as an actor

Buster Douglas Tony Duffy/Getty Images

Last week SI writer Richard Deitsch interviewed Buster Douglas for the magazine's Q&A. The 47-year-old former heavyweight champion -- he stunned Mike Tyson in 1990 -- is launching a career as an actor. Here are additional excerpts from their conversation:

SI: Describe your acting style?

Douglas: Versatile (laughs).

SI: How so?

Douglas: Well, I was an FBI agent in my first film (Pluto's Plight) , so I can play a law-abiding citizen. In the movie I filmed last month in Las Vegas (Mikey & Dolores), I play a drug dealer.

SI: How about Buster Douglas, romantic lead?

Douglas: If I could keep a straight face, I think I could handle that.

SI: How serious are you about acting?

Douglas: I'm real serious. I want to get into it more. The more I act, the more comfortable I get. I look at in boxing terms: Right now I'm at a co-feature level, but I'm looking to get to the main event.

SI: Are you willing to go on auditions?

Douglas: Absolutely.

SI: How good a movie will The James Douglas Story be?

Douglas: It could be fascinating (laughs).

SI: Who would play you?

Douglas: There's no doubt on this. Jim Carrey.

SI: Jim Carrey?

Douglas: He could do it. Black guys have played white guys and white guys have played black guys. It's all about makeup, baby.

SI: When is the last time you watched your fight against Mike Tyson?

Douglas: Several months ago.

SI: Why?

Douglas: I was feeling a little nostalgic and so I popped it in. Sometimes when I'm working out at home, it really motivates me.

SI: Have you spoken to Tyson recently?

Douglas: I have not.

SI: You know, he's acted himself. What about you two guys in a buddy movie?

Douglas: (laughs) That would be real cool.

SI: What was the best thing about being heavyweight champion of the world?

Douglas: The best thing? First class, baby. You start out flying coach. Then once you get a shot at the title, you start flying first class. Then winning the title, everything is elite class. You stay in suites. It was beautiful experience. It was like being the President.

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