Why Tyson Is Coming Back to Boxing

15.04.04 – By Derek Tang – If boxing fans didn’t know by now, former heavyweight champion “Iron Mike” Tyson is coming back to boxing; in fact, he’s started training already this week. Though it’s been seemingly difficult for Tyson these days with financial problems, the lack of heart to win a championship belt, and the fear of getting beat to a pulp (like at the hands of retired champ, Lennox Lewis), it’s believed that Tyson is making a comeback at a great time in heavyweight boxing.

Let’s see why. Lamon Brewster, who surprisingly knocked out the worn-down Wladimir Klitcscko in the 5th round last Saturday, holds the newly crowned the WBO title. Chris Byrd, who is fighting Andrew Golota this Saturday (4/17) and was never considered a true heavyweight because of his soft punches and frequent open-handed slaps, has the IBF heavyweight title. John Ruiz, who has absolutely no boxing skills except of that to hug and clinch, somehow has the WBA title around his waist. Meanwhile, the highly regarded WBC title is vacant.

Notoriously-known Tyson can beat any of the above three, even with the one year inactivity and lack of confidence in himself. Brewster, though having a solid amateur profile, doesn’t really have a history of challenging, quality opponents except that of his latest victim, Wladimir Klitsckho; but let’s be realistic because Klitsccko was seriously beating on Brewster before punching himself out. Byrd has fought many credible opponents, but has won a majority of them by decision; Tyson won’t let this Byrd run away from him in the ring. And John Ruiz? This guy shouldn’t even be in boxing… Excuse me, I digress. Remember Ruiz’s fight with David Tua? Tyson is much more dangerous, powerful, and possesses greater speed than Tua and could probably do much better than Tua’s 1st round KO of Ruiz in 19 seconds. So the current heavyweight champions are no real competition to the hard-hitting Tyson.

Other boxing fans argue that though I may be right, some really good heavyweight prospects are on the rise. But like who? American prospect Dominick Guinn? Mediocre gatekeeper Monte Barrett recently handed Guinn a decision, putting Guinn at a 24-1 record— further exposing the fact that Guinn has lack of experience. Did somebody say Joe Mesi? Did you even see his last two fights with former cruiserweight champion, Vassiliy Jirov, and Monte Barrett? It has been established that Mesi has a glass jaw and is suspect on that conditioning. Plus, enraged Tyson wants to beat up on Mesi; Mesi has been talking how he can beat Tyson ever since his fight with DaVarryl Williamson since last December. According to Tyson’s manager Shelley Finkel, Tyson should settle this score with Mesi this fall, or definitely by December. What about Audley Harrison? At 15-0, this 2000 Olympic gold medalist is taking his sweet time in the division, fighting who he wants or better worded, who he can definitely beat. By the time Harrison gets a shot at the title, Tyson will already be retired.

I hope I didn’t hear someone just say that Tyson is slowing down or is too old to be champion. Are you kidding me? When Tyson had an 8-month layoff after the fight with Lennox Lewis, he came back to knockout heavyweight journeyman Clifford Etienne in a blazing 49 seconds in the first round. Anyone who goes to see Tyson train at the gym knows that Tyson still has the speed and power that he possessed in his prime. He just doesn’t possess the aggressiveness, will to win, and quick eluding-defensive lunges that he once had. Eddie Richardson, after Tyson dropped him with a right hand followed by a flattening left hook, was asked if he had every been hit so hard; Richardson responded, “Yeah, about a year ago, I was hit by a truck.” Another opponent, Mike Johnson commented, “Man, that guy [Tyson] is amazing. It’s like being hit by a train, sh*t, I can’t believe his power. That’s the closest I’ve come to dying.” Even Frank Bruno, another of Tyson’s opponents, exclaimed “Tyson got nuclear powered fists!” Tyson definitely still has it in him in terms of boxing; in terms of determination and will to win something big, it’s a different story though. This was probably the case when fighting Evander Holyfield and Lennox Lewis.

To sum it up, it would be perfect timing for Tyson to make his comeback into boxing. All the real threats to boxing are either gone (Holyfield, Lewis), disregarded (Guinn, Wladimir Klitchscko), or not yet ranked high enough to get a shot at Tyson (Samuel Peter, maybe Audley Harrison). Tyson could beat any of the three heavyweight champions right now (IBF, WBO, WBA) despite his inactivity; keep in mind that Tyson still has a lot of experience in the ring. Plus with the fans wanting Tyson to come back (considering the sad state of the heavyweight division in a search for a true champion) and everyone paying the money to see Tyson come back (solves his financial problems), it would be more of a reason for Tyson to get back in training… which he already has. Good luck Mike!