29.07.04 – By Phenyo Molefe – phenyom@yahoo.co.uk – Behold yea all as former heavy weight boxing champion of the world Mike Tyson bids to take his last journey to the top in what been an illustrious boxing career yet filled with clouds of darkness in recent years.
Tis sad that we only learn the value of certain elements once we have been deprived of them, Tyson is no exception. He been reduced not only financially but moreover on a mental plane. He has always been aware of the truth but preferred to live in ignorance; its means nothing to merely know the truth it is what one does with that truth that has meaning. Tyson has been forced to do some searching for the meaning of life and his purpose. I will not be quick to suggest that he has found the fulfilling answers but I will say that has gained a remarkable amount of ground in his journey of introspection.
Freddie Roach has exhibited certain qualities that were fairly analogous to that of Cus D’Amato. Roach has gained the trust and respect of Tyson something his former trainers may have struggled to achieve. Although standing at a mere 5’5 Roach is a giant in his own right; He has forced Tyson to rediscover certain elements within the ring that once separated him for the rest. When Tyson’s hunger and passion to box became dormant so too did his skill. Those of you who paid close attention to the Tyson-Clifford fight will note the reoccurrence of that jab and the illusive head movements- Roach had ignited a transformation. It has been a great challenge he has waged war against Tyson demons of complacency and succeeded.
My advice to Tyson is to take his time and plan his arsenal with fearsome precision. As we all aware he has been inactive for more than 17 months and he is in need of ring time. I am not asking Tyson to play chess in the ring but like any form of warfare planning is essential not only prior to the match but within the ring because one’s circumstances are forever changing in that situation. All of us are aware of Tyson’s ability as eminent knock out artist, his omnipresent power will forever haunt the heavyweight division. He needs to find the perfect synergy between his distressing power and the scientific aspects involved in this sweet science. He must carefully break Williams’ arsenal with jabs and combinations which we have waited more than a decade to rewitness. In 1986 before his fight with Mitch Green, Tyson was quoted as saying that he understands anatomy; I want to see that, as he tactically tears Williams’ defence weakening his stance and picking his opponent off. He needs to punish Williams with devastating blows body and accurately timed cannon balls to the head.
Although Williams’ mental outlook has been questionable in some of his fights I don’t think that he is going to allow himself to be intimated. He has a strong base of power and will attempt to use that against his opponent. He will attempt to stand his ground and fight his own battle its his biggest opportunity to make Williams a name known to many.The question is whether Williams will retain his composure because Tyson will be all over him; once Tyson senses fear Williams flaring flame will be reduced to a mere waning fire as Tyson feeds of him. If he is to have any chance, he is to maintain his composure and keep a strong physiological outlook.
I foresee a Tyson win within 5 rounds yet not in the first; I am most likely to settle for the 4th round. Although Tyson still posses the power to knock Williams out in the first round I think the fight will be drawn out as Tyson executes his punishment to Williams as he did to Mitch Green in 1986.