It's pathetic that Tyson most intriguing boxer
Blame it on sad state of boxing that people will pay to watch Fat Mike train
 Hector Mata / AFP - Getty Images file It's pathetic that overweight former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson is the most intriguing thing happening in boxing these days, writes AP columnist Tim Dahlberg. |
Mike Tyson surfaced in Ohio last week to sell the citizenry on the idea of paying to watch him work up a sweat. It wasn’t really his idea but, hey, Lennox Lewis still doesn’t have any children, and a guy’s gotta eat.
The same Tyson who used to separate heads from bodies is now trying to separate the people of Youngstown from some of their hard-earned cash.
“Where else are you going to be able to see Mike Tyson for $25?” his new promoter asked.
Hmmm, the circus maybe? At least there you might get the painted lady and the sword swallower thrown in for the same price.
Anyway, the Mike Tyson World Tour 2006 is now official. It may be kicking off in a not-so-worldly place — and no one seems to have any idea where it goes after that — but it is official.
Or maybe it isn’t. Even Evander Holyfield wouldn’t bet a piece of his ear that Tyson will actually show up Oct. 20 at the Chevrolet Centre for what is supposed to be the first of 100 different four-round exhibitions.
At least Tyson knows the way there. He used to own a mansion in Youngstown.
Or maybe he didn’t.
It’s hard to keep track of all your cribs when your homies are wanting to party and $300 million is slipping through your fingers.
Tyson, of course, is embarrassed that he needs to take a traveling freak show on the road to pay his bills. He’s got good reason to be, but he’s got even more reasons to make a living the only way he knows how. He’s hopelessly in debt and, while partying all night in the clubs may be fun, it doesn’t pay well.
Actually, the most pathetic thing isn’t that the former baddest man on the planet has to don oversized gloves to paw at a former sparring partner for spare change. Anyone who has seen Tyson in recent years knows he may not be able to win a bar fight in Youngstown anymore.
No, the most pathetic thing is that, for many, Tyson remains the most intriguing thing happening in boxing these days.
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