Connect with us

Articles of 2003

It Doesn't Have To Be Over For Tyson

Published

on

A few days back former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson was arraigned and pleaded not guilty to, (third degree-assault, disorderly conduct, and harassment charges stemming from a scuffle outside a Brooklyn Hotel in June). I am very confident that Tyson will be aquitted of these charges, mainly because I believe when the truth comes out it will be shown Tyson was provoked and was defending himself, and not the instigator. However, for once Tyson has a top-flight attorney representing him in the more than capable Mel Sachs.

Maybe the hiring of Mel Sachs is a sign of good things to come for Tyson. In hiring Sachs, Tyson has shown brilliant judgement for once in his life. Sachs is one of the most respected criminal lawyers and legal scholars in the country. This tells me that Tyson just may be serious about putting his career back together and making one last run at winning back the title. And those who follow boxing know, with the exception of Lennox Lewis there isn't one heavyweight currently fighting today that an in shape and focused Tyson isn't capable of beating. Lewis is the only heavyweight that even Tyson at the top of his game would be an underdog against. And this is due to Lewis' size and reach advantages over Tyson which makes for a tough match up for him.

One thing Tyson has in his favor is that he is still the biggest draw in boxing. This equates to him being able to chose who he fights until it's for the title. Basically, there are two fighters who if you're managing Tyson that you want to keep him away from, Evander Holyfield, and David Tua. Even a declining Holyfield is bad for Tyson psychologically, and I question whether Tyson believes he can beat Holyfield. Although Tua is not as complete of a fighter as Tyson, he would still be very dangerous because of his power and they would clash at ring center and trade. This is risky for Tyson because Tua has the better chin, and would be at his best vs Tyson because he knows what a win over Tyson would do for his career. The good thing about these two fighters is that Tyson doesn't have to fight them unless it's for the title. With the recent showings of both Holyfield and Tua, Tyson has nothing to gain by fighting them and much too lose.

During the past 17 years I've had many intense debates about Tyson regarding his overall standing in heavyweight history. I happen to believe he is over-rated when compared with other all-time greats but, at this time I happen to think he is slightly under-rated and is still capable of winning the title if he is in the proper mental and physical state.

Looking at the current crop of upper tier heavyweights, who is so outstanding among them that a fit and determined Tyson isn't capable of defeating? Maybe the Klitschko's are a bad match up for him but, I question Wladimir's chin, and Vitali's skill level, I say he's 50-50 versus either of them. Chris Byrd, all Tyson has to do is watch how Ike Ibeabuchi fought Byrd by going to the body early to take his legs away and he'd stop Byrd like Ibeabuchi did. Roy Jones? I'm not buying Roy Jones is the man in the heavyweight division just because he took Ruiz to boxing school. Seeing how Ruiz shook Jones with one right hand in the first round, I'm confident Tyson's right would put Jones to sleep. Also, from a style vantage point, Jones is made for Tyson. Jones doesn't have the size, strength, or punch to worry Tyson or keep him from trying to kill Jones.
 
Who does that leave? Rahman, Tyson would go through Rahman. Rahman doesn't have the punch to keep Tyson from working him over, and he doesn't have the chin to stand up to Tyson's power. Rounding out the rest of the top heavyweights are John Ruiz, Kirk Johnson, and Fres Oquendo. Neither of these three have anything in their arsenal to beat Tyson with, and he has plenty to beat them with. Remember, were not including Holyfield or Tua because they are fighters who could be a stumbling block for Tyson and they don't hold any of the current titles. At the worst, Tyson is among the top five heavyweights in the world.

The way I see it, a rededicated Mike Tyson is still capable of salvaging his career. To think Tyson's days as a force in the heavyweight division are completely over is selling him a little short. Tyson still retains a large portion of his overall skills, he can still punch and has retained much of his hand speed. The problem he has is inactivity. If Tyson were to get serious and fight regularly for the next year, he is more than capable of reclaiming the title, especially in this sub par era of heavyweights and the pending retirement of Lewis. Todays heavyweight division is littered with fighters in their thirties, and middleweights who are now heavyweights! Oh yes, if Tyson surrounded himself with the right handlers, and was fighting regularly, I think he could win the title again. The bottom line is, is Tyson capable of truly dedicating himself to do what's needed to give himself one last chance to be called champ again? That's the question!

Share The Sweet Science experience!
Continue Reading
Advertisement
Boxing-Notes-and-Nuggets-from-Thomas-Hauser
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Boxing Notes and Nuggets from Thomas Hauser

Ekow-Essuman-Upsets-Josh-Taylor-and-Moses-Itauma-Blasts-Out-Mike-Balogun-in-Glasgow
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Ekow Essuman Upsets Josh Taylor and Moses Itauma Blasts Out Mike Balogun in Glasgow

Newspaperman-Playwright-Author-Bobby-Cassidy-Jr-Commemorates-his-Fighting-Father
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Newspaperman/Playwright/Author Bobby Cassidy Jr Commemorates His Fighting Father

A-Night-of-Mismatches-Turns-Topsy-Turvy-at-Mandalay-Bay-Resendiz-Shocks-Plant
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

A Night of Mismatches Turns Topsy-Turvy at Mandalay Bay; Resendiz Shocks Plant

Hiruta-Bohachuk-and-Trinidad-Win-at-the-Commerce-Casino
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Hiruta, Bohachuk, and Trinidad Win at the Commerce Casino

Avila-Perspective-Chap-330-Matchroom-in-New-York-plus-the-latest-on-Canelo-Crawford
Featured Articles3 days ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 330: Matchroom in New York plus the Latest on Canelo-Crawford

Italy-Mourns-the-Death-of-Legendary-Boxer-Nino-Benvenuti
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Italy Mourns the Death of Legendary Boxer Nino Benvenuti

in-A-Trubute-Wedded-to-Memorial-Day-Boxing-Writer-David-Avila-Pays-Homage-to-Absent-Friends
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

In a Tribute Wedded to Memorial Day, Boxing Writer David Avila Pays Homage to Absent Friends

Vinny-Paz-is-Going-into-the-Boxing-Hall-of-Fame-Hey-why-Not-Roger-Mayweather?
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Vinny Paz is Going into the Boxing Hall of Fame; Hey, Why Not Roger Mayweather?

Remembering-the-Under-Appreciated-Body-Snatcher-Mike-McCallum,-a-Conusmmate-Pro
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Remembering the Under-Appreciated “Body Snatcher” Mike McCallum, a Consummate Pro    

Avila-Perspective-Chap-228-Viva-Las-Vegas-Back-in-the-Boxing-Spotlight
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 228: Viva Las Vegas, Back in the Boxing Spotlight

Results-and-Recaps-from-Las-Vegas-Where-Melikuziev-Nipped-Fulghum-in-a-Fierce-Fight
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Results and Recaps from Las Vegas Where Melikuziev Nipped Fulghum in a Fierce Battle

Opetaia-and-Nakatani-Crush-Overmatched-Foes-Capping-Off-a-Wild-Boxing-Weekend
Featured Articles1 week ago

Opetaia and Nakatani Crush Overmatched Foes, Capping Off a Wild Boxing Weekend

Pacquiao-is-Back,-Fabio-in-England-and-More.jpg
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap 329: Pacquiao is Back, Fabio in England and More

Angelo-Leo-Retains-His-Featherweight-Title-Before-a-Hostile-Crowd-in-Osaka
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Angelo Leo Retains His Featherweight Title Before a Hostile Crowd in Osaka

Fabio-Wardley-Comes-from-Behind-to-KO-Justis-Huni
Featured Articles1 week ago

Fabio Wardley Comes from Behind to KO Justis Huni  

Delving-Into-'Hoopa'-With-Notes-on-Books-by-George-Plimpton-and-Joyce-Carol-Oates
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Delving into ‘Hoopla’ with Notes on Books by George Plimpton and Joyce Carol Oates

Local-Fan-Favorites-Terri-Harpet-and-Maxi-Hughes-Victorious-in-Doncaster
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Local Fan Favorites Terri Harper and Maxi Hughes Victorious in Doncaster

The-Shafting-of-Blair-the-Flair-Cobbs-a-Familar-Thread-in-the-Cruelest-Sport
Featured Articles5 days ago

The Shafting of Blair “The Flair” Cobbs, a Familiar Thread in the Cruelest Sport

Richardson-Hitchins-Batters-and-Stops-George-Kambosos-at-Madison-Square-Garden
Featured Articles2 days ago

Richardson Hitchins Batters and Stops George Kambosos at Madison Square Garden 

Catching-Up-with-Clay-Moyle-Who-Talks-About-His-Massive-Collection-of-Boxing-Books
Featured Articles1 day ago

Catching Up with Clay Moyle Who Talks About His Massive Collection of Boxing Books

Richardson-Hitchins-Batters-and-Stops-George-Kambosos-at-Madison-Square-Garden
Featured Articles2 days ago

Richardson Hitchins Batters and Stops George Kambosos at Madison Square Garden 

Avila-Perspective-Chap-330-Matchroom-in-New-York-plus-the-latest-on-Canelo-Crawford
Featured Articles3 days ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 330: Matchroom in New York plus the Latest on Canelo-Crawford

The-Shafting-of-Blair-the-Flair-Cobbs-a-Familar-Thread-in-the-Cruelest-Sport
Featured Articles5 days ago

The Shafting of Blair “The Flair” Cobbs, a Familiar Thread in the Cruelest Sport

Opetaia-and-Nakatani-Crush-Overmatched-Foes-Capping-Off-a-Wild-Boxing-Weekend
Featured Articles1 week ago

Opetaia and Nakatani Crush Overmatched Foes, Capping Off a Wild Boxing Weekend

Fabio-Wardley-Comes-from-Behind-to-KO-Justis-Huni
Featured Articles1 week ago

Fabio Wardley Comes from Behind to KO Justis Huni  

Pacquiao-is-Back,-Fabio-in-England-and-More.jpg
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap 329: Pacquiao is Back, Fabio in England and More

Delving-Into-'Hoopa'-With-Notes-on-Books-by-George-Plimpton-and-Joyce-Carol-Oates
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Delving into ‘Hoopla’ with Notes on Books by George Plimpton and Joyce Carol Oates

Remembering-the-Under-Appreciated-Body-Snatcher-Mike-McCallum,-a-Conusmmate-Pro
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Remembering the Under-Appreciated “Body Snatcher” Mike McCallum, a Consummate Pro    

A-Night-of-Mismatches-Turns-Topsy-Turvy-at-Mandalay-Bay-Resendiz-Shocks-Plant
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

A Night of Mismatches Turns Topsy-Turvy at Mandalay Bay; Resendiz Shocks Plant

Results-and-Recaps-from-Las-Vegas-Where-Melikuziev-Nipped-Fulghum-in-a-Fierce-Fight
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Results and Recaps from Las Vegas Where Melikuziev Nipped Fulghum in a Fierce Battle

Avila-Perspective-Chap-228-Viva-Las-Vegas-Back-in-the-Boxing-Spotlight
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 228: Viva Las Vegas, Back in the Boxing Spotlight

Vinny-Paz-is-Going-into-the-Boxing-Hall-of-Fame-Hey-why-Not-Roger-Mayweather?
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Vinny Paz is Going into the Boxing Hall of Fame; Hey, Why Not Roger Mayweather?

Newspaperman-Playwright-Author-Bobby-Cassidy-Jr-Commemorates-his-Fighting-Father
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Newspaperman/Playwright/Author Bobby Cassidy Jr Commemorates His Fighting Father

Ekow-Essuman-Upsets-Josh-Taylor-and-Moses-Itauma-Blasts-Out-Mike-Balogun-in-Glasgow
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Ekow Essuman Upsets Josh Taylor and Moses Itauma Blasts Out Mike Balogun in Glasgow

Angelo-Leo-Retains-His-Featherweight-Title-Before-a-Hostile-Crowd-in-Osaka
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Angelo Leo Retains His Featherweight Title Before a Hostile Crowd in Osaka

in-A-Trubute-Wedded-to-Memorial-Day-Boxing-Writer-David-Avila-Pays-Homage-to-Absent-Friends
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

In a Tribute Wedded to Memorial Day, Boxing Writer David Avila Pays Homage to Absent Friends

Local-Fan-Favorites-Terri-Harpet-and-Maxi-Hughes-Victorious-in-Doncaster
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Local Fan Favorites Terri Harper and Maxi Hughes Victorious in Doncaster

Italy-Mourns-the-Death-of-Legendary-Boxer-Nino-Benvenuti
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Italy Mourns the Death of Legendary Boxer Nino Benvenuti

Boxing-Notes-and-Nuggets-from-Thomas-Hauser
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Boxing Notes and Nuggets from Thomas Hauser

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

Trending