| Mike Tyson: Bad boy of boxing By Mark Simmons The man we call Iron Mike has a career as volatile as his attitude when it comes to professional boxing. Whether it's because of his antics with the law or because of his misdemeanors in the ring, there is much more to this famed street fighter than hooks and jabs. Mike Tyson started professional boxing back in 1985, against Hector Mercedes, who he defeated in the first round by TKO. This was the first of 15 matches to be fought that same year for a total of 52 matches to date. With an average of 80% of his fights ending in a KO in his favor, he only comes third in ranking behind Rocky Marciano and George Foreman. Tyson was classified as a lean, mean, fighting machine ready to take on the world with his powerful jab and deadly uppercut. He didn't know what to expect as a rookie fighter. Now 34, Tyson remembers his younger days, "I was just 18 years old. I was a young millionaire, running around and not thinking about anything." What soon became the boxing sensation of Las Vegas, was about to be taken away because of an addictive lifestyle that only money can buy. Tyson seems to be stemmed with controversy, be it inside or outside the ring. In the mid-90's, although he appeared in near peak performance, yet another incident was going to put a damper on his career. Everybody can remember the 1997 incident where he literally took a bite out of Evander Holyfield's ear during the WBA Heavyweight Title, that he ultimately lost. This turn of events in the 11th round eventually led him to lose his boxing license, which he retrieved some 15 months later. This string of controversial events repeated itself on October 23rd, 1999, when he fought Orlin Norris in Las Vegas. A late punch thrown after the bell resulted in Norris getting his knee injured and forcing the fight into a no contest decision. But although his reputation in the US became somewhat tainted, he remained a man of much attraction at the box office. He compares himself to the freak show of a circus, "American people in general cast such a dark shadow over me and make it look as though I'm a monster-to-be." The thing that makes Tyson so appealing to fans and promoters is the fact that he has that willingness to seek and destroy anything that appears before him. People love to see men lose control and use their primal instincts to defend themselves in the ring. When Tyson bites an ear or throws a late punch, it shows that he really wants to win a fight, albeit in a non-professional way, but entertaining nonetheless. Forget about the money and fame at that specific moment in time; if somebody hits him strong, he wants to hit them back� even stronger. He understands that he is not there to make friends, but rather fight to kill and win, which is what fans love about him. "I have never cared about the public. I enjoy doing this. I enjoy hurting people. That is how I make a living. I am in the hurting business. I sometimes do not like myself. I can understand why people do not like me." forgive and forget If you think that chewing a piece of someone's ear off is enough to ensure that that person doesn't box professionally anymore, think again. Whatever spells popularity, spells big payout. The fighters know it; the promoters know it. This not-so-honest sport reaches out to the "thousands in attendance and the millions watching at home." Even if Tyson sees that he is doomed for a life of constant putdown by his fans and peers, how many colleagues can attest that every event they attend, they demand an 8-figure compensation? Tyson's team is in negotiations for a boxing showcase that will take place in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, where he will be paid $18M. And if you consider that his matches only last a matter of minutes -- 38 seconds for his last fight against Lou Savarese -- this basically covers the transportation and the trouble. Tyson knows how to box. He is not known for flipping burgers or running a Fortune 500 company. He is known for smashing people's faces in. That's it, that's all. Iron Mike has gone through his fair share of legal problems with promoter Don King and former manager John Horne. He has a series of lawsuits arising from a variety of events, plus tax debts of over $13M. This only adds to his spiraling downfall as a professional boxer, and if that wasn't enough, he also has to deal with fines and the loss of his boxing license. The most recent of cases was when the British Boxing Board of Control fined him $185,000 for throwing a late punch against Lou Savarese after the referee John Coyle stopped the fight. The Board gave him six weeks to pay the fine, and also got him to bear the cost of the inquiry, an additional $1,500. If, and only if Tyson fails to pay his fine within the six-week time frame, will his license get revoked. It's a small price to pay considering this kind of money is pocket change for him. He was also reprimanded on a second charge of using faulty language on Lennox Lewis. BBBC chairman Lord Brooks said in a statement, "Mr. Tyson carries considerable responsibilities to those who look up to him, particularly young people, and we take this opportunity to remind him of that obligation." Please� if the youth of today are left to idolize famous athletes, especially boxers, then the problem is of a much bigger amplitude. Maybe the parents should take care of raising their own kids and stop complaining that they watch too much TV. They only do so because they don't know any better, i.e. because their parents never take the time to encourage them to try different activities. Anyhow, enough with morals for today. Bottom line; everybody has a gift, and that of Iron Mike is to pound people until their senses give out. And hey, if he's good at it and people want to pay big bucks to see him, then let him be. He didn't write the rules, he simply cashes in the checks! |
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