Tyson and WBC share credibility problem
By Murray Greig (China Daily)
Updated: 2004-07-07 06:47

It doesn't look like Mike Tyson will be visiting China any time soon, now that the ex-"baddest man in the universe" has signed to fight unheralded British journeyman Danny Williams on July 30 in Louisville, Kentucky.

Of course at this point in Tyson's career even an "unheralded" opponent might be too tough for him. Heck, the Danny Williams who was Steve McGarrett's pint-sized partner on "Hawaii Five-O" might be able to take him. Who really knows?

Coming on the heels of the June 15 announcement that the World Boxing Council (WBC) was filing bankruptcy liquidation proceedings in the wake of a US$31 million court-ordered award to German light-heavyweight Graciano Rocchigiani, Tyson's cautious comeback is yet another challenge to the credibility of the sweet science.

The WBC, the oldest and most respected of boxing's sanctioning organizations, was forced to file for bankruptcy after court proceedings upheld the award given to Rocchigiani, who claimed he was illegally stripped of the world championship in March 1998.

Rocchigiani beat Michael Nunn for what was billed as the WBC world title that Roy Jones Jr had relinquished. But three months later, when Jones decided he wanted to keep the crown, the WBC stripped Rocchigiani and reinstated the American. The German elected to sue the sanctioning body and - surprise! - he hit the jackpot.

But let's get back to Tyson.

Boxing fans in China have to be disappointed the former heavyweight champion's much-anticipated exhibition tour to Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong, which had tentatively been set for later this month, is now on the back burner. If Tyson beats Williams in convincing fashion there's a possibility plans for the China tour could be revived, but with debts of US$38.4 million staring him in the face, Iron Mike's first priority is securing some big paydays.

At the news conference to announce the Williams fight the 38-year-old Tyson was surprisingly humble and reflective. He said he's "learned to be happy with a lot less" since squandering more than US$300 million in purses, along with a reputation as the best heavyweight and most feared fighter of his era.

Convicted of rape at the peak of his career in 1992, he spent three years in prison. Things went from bad to worse after his release, culminating in a brutal beating at the hands of Lennox Lewis two years ago. Since that loss, Tyson (50-4, 44 KOs) has fought only once - a 49-second annihilation of the immortal Clifford Etienne on February 22, 2003.

The Williams fight represents the first step in a multi-tiered plan unveiled by Tyson's lawyers in US bankruptcy court last week. If all goes well the ex-champion will fight seven times over the next three years. Earlier this month he also settled a US$100 million lawsuit against promoter Don King for US$14 million, and he put his two multi-million-dollar Las Vegas homes up for sale.

According to Tyson's legal beagles "every dime" will go towards whittling down that huge debt - the bulk of which is back taxes.

Reflecting on his years at the top, Tyson said his biggest regret was how much he trusted the wrong people with his money.

"The only reason people took advantage of me is because I allowed it to happen," he said.

"I'm a foolish man ... the most foolish person in the history of this sport. I was addicted to chaos, and that's why I've had a very difficult time settling into becoming the person I now am. I never allowed chaos to be out of my presence. But I slept with the devil for a long time and it didn't kill me. Now I'm here to do something positive."

Tyson added that while he still hungers to regain the undisputed world championship, his main motivation for launching another comeback is the money.

"I really love the sport and I love what I do, but I would also like to pay all my bills," he said. "When I'm no longer around I don't want to be remembered as a dishonest person."

His manager, Shelly Finkel, thinks it's time for the world to forgive and forget.

"Mike wants to put the past behind him, and we believe he can become champion again. That would make a really tremendous story," Finkel said.

As is the case with all great fiction, I think we should let history be the final judge.

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