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“Iron”
Mike Tyson More Like Scrap Aluminum
By Wil Moran
 How
the mighty have fallen. The heavyweight sideshow that is former
world heavyweight champion Mike Tyson continues. Strapped for cash,
not so “Iron” Mike Tyson has been reduced to fighting
four round “exhibitions.”
In his first fight in what has been
billed as a world tour, Tyson met journeyman Corey “T Rex”
Sanders at the Chevrolet Centre in Youngstown, Ohio. At nearly 300
lbs., Sanders looked more prepared for a hotdog eating contest than
for a boxing match. One thing was certain, Sanders was chosen as
an opponent because he was out of shape and was sure to offer little
opposition for Tyson. What the crowd in Youngstown would find out,
is that these exhibitions are little more than paid sparring sessions
for Tyson and his opponents.
Sanders entered the ring wearing
headgear, while Tyson did not. Both fighters wore t-shirts and were
equipped with 16 ounce gloves. Tyson dropped Sanders in the opening
seconds and pressed the action throughout with typical Tyson aggression.
Sanders seemed to have little interest
in trading punches and virtually all the good connects were made
by Tyson. Sanders’ knees were buckled by a Tyson right in
round three, and Tyson landed a big right hand in the fourth. At
the end of the bout, there was no decision rendered.
“I thought things went well,”
promoter Sterling McPherson said to the small congregation of media
gathered at the post-fight press conference following the inaugural
bout of Mike Tyson’s World Tour in Youngstown, Ohio. “I
was very pleased with how Mike (Tyson) performed,” McPherson
said boastfully. “This is the first time Mike has gotten into
the ring in almost two years. Right now we have a schedule to keep,”
McPherson said. “We have about eight different places that
we’re looking to go.”
Of those eight places being considered,
McPherson mentioned Los Angeles and San Diego as well as countries
other than the United States which would include South Korea and
South Africa. Also mentioned, more officially, was the current haven
of heavyweight royalty...Russia. “We are also doing a fight
in Miami on Super Bowl weekend,” McPherson with a smile. “That
should be a lot of fun.” Sterling McPherson also stated that
in all likelihood the next time “Iron” Mike steps into
a boxing ring will be on American soil.
When questioned about the somewhat
negative reception including the booing at the sight of Corey Sander’s
dawning headgear, the shirts worn by both fighters and the lack
of action in the exhibition itself, McPherson answered with a respected
and brutally honest reply. “I don’t know what people
expected. We didn’t try to fake anybody out or pull the wool
over anybody’s eyes. This was an exhibition and they (the
fans) knew that coming in. People boo at real fights. That’s
their prerogative,” claimed McPherson.
As for where future fights may take
place, McPherson stated the first official international stop of
Mike Tyson’s World Tour would be on New Year’s Eve in
Micau, China. “I like to spice things up,” McPherson
said. “I enjoy getting some different regional fighters in
there with Mike, but let’s look back. Joe Louis did this.
Gene Tunney did this. They did it over one hundred times with the
same two sparring partners.”
As the name of Mike Tyson circulates
through the media, most of the attention focused on the former “Dynamite
Kid” lies in his words claiming that he would fight a woman.
Sterling McPherson quickly shedlight on the rumors. “That
remark was taken so far out of context,” McPherson said. “He
was talking about boxing celebrities like radio personality Tom
Joynerand women like Ann Wolfe. Ann Wolfe is a fighter. He was intending
that to be women that don’t fight,” added McPherson.
Undeterred, Promoter Sterling McPherson
continued to show his gratitude to the estimated four thousand fans
that attended the event. “We are excited about this tour,”
McPherson said. “Mike is happy and the people of Youngstown
are happy. It was a lot of fun. We might even find another spot
down here as soon as we can,” remarkedMcPherson.
Whether the Tyson circus can keep
up whatever momentum this first exhibition built is highly doubtful.
At 40, Mike Tyson is probably at best 10 years off championship
form. The man who won the heavyweight title at 20 is long gone.
All that is left of Mike Tyson is a broken down fighter whose peak
was perhaps too early and his prime tragically short.
In
Other Boxing News...
 Former
4-time heavyweight champion Evander “Real Deal” Holyfield
turned 44 years old on October 19. In what was the typical gym-as-a-battleground
day for Holyfield, Evander remarked on his age and his quest to
regain the heavyweight championship becoming the only man to win
the title 5 times.
“I know the Bible talks about
to everything a season,” Holyfield said. “I truly believe
that my time or my season, if you prefer, is not over. When my season
in boxing is finished, I will know it and I will take the appropriate
action. I am my own best friend, not my best enemy and I know my
body.” In the final stages of preparation for his up and coming
November 10, 12-round bout at the Alamodome in San Antonio with
slickster “Fresh” Fres Oquendo,
Evander has become the biggest attraction
in the heavyweight division. The 1984 U.S. Olympic bronze medalist
and former Undisputed cruiserweight champion and 4-time heavyweight
champion Holyfield has defeated the likes of Riddick Bowe, Mike
Tyson, George Foreman, Larry Holmes, Michael Dokes, Pinklon Thomas,
Michael Moorer and a virtual who’s who in the heavyweight
division.
A living legend and global sports
icon,Evander seems to thrive in the underdog role. Perhaps, embedded
in his immense pride and religious faith, lies the key to his strength....a
feeling that when the odds are against him he will rise to overcome
the challenge.
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