Controversial draw highlights Tyson's debut as fight promoter

Mike Tyson's first promotional fight card went about the same way as his boxing career.

It was dramatic, memorable and controversial.

In the main event at the Turning Stone Resort Casino on Friday night, IBF super featherweight champion Argenis Mendez (21-2-1) of the Dominican Republic retained his title by battling to a rare 12-round majority draw with Canadian challenger Arash Usmanee (20-1-1).

The embattled Tyson, a member of the International Boxing Hall of Fame, has organized an outfit called Iron Mike Productions, and his aim is to be a full-service agency for up-and-coming fighters to learn the sport, in and out of the ring, from one of the greatest.

Usmanee was named the winner by a score of 115-113 on one of the three ringside scorecards, while the other two had the fight 114-114.

"I'm very grateful," Tyson said. "We had two sensational championship fights. I thought my fighter (Mendez) won his fight. It was a sensational fight, good for boxing, but horrible for my boxer. He's a great boxer."

In the co-main event, Jesus Andres Cueller (23-1) outlasted previously undefeated Claudio Marrero (14-1) to win the vacant WBA interim featherweight championship.

But the story of the night was Mendez-Usmanee. Neither was knocked down in the bout, which was nationally televised on ESPN.

"I'm really disappointed in the decision," said Mendez, whose nickname is 'La Tormenta' (The Storm). I'm the world champion and I thought I won."

"It was a very close fight," said the 31-year-old Usmanee, who moved to Canada when he was five . "It depends on how you judge a fight. I was the aggressor. It could have gone either way."

In other bouts, Eddie Paredes (34-3-1) posted his 12th consecutive victory, defeating Noe Bolanos (24-9-1); Alexei Collado (17-0) beat Guillermo Sanchez (13-10-1); Dorsett Barnwell (10-0) stopped Marlon Hayes (23-13) in the third round; and Antoine Douglas (9-0) beat Edgar Perez (5-6).

Tyson said he's ecstatic to be back in the sport. He said his fighters - like Mendez - won't be subjected to what he went through in his heyday, and that you can expect more cards like his first.

"When I first got involved, I just didn't know," Tyson said. "Never in a thousand years did I plan on doing it. I'm just happy to be back involved in boxing. It's a dream come true. I'm a little nervous."

Tyson, 47, who has battled addiction and depression, and has lost millions of dollars through the years, hopes to provide his fighters with a structured environment for success, and to be able to help them learn from his mistakes.

"You're never going to hear them say 'Mike Tyson stole from me.' Hopefully, they'll never end up like me," he said. "I'm not a magician. The only thing I can do is suggest - go in the right direction. We have to look for happiness within.

"I can't stop somebody from hurting themself."

(China Daily 08/25/2013 page7)