04/20/24
January 26, 2002
The Lennox Lewis-Mike Tyson fight has the blessing of the World Boxing Council: , but still awaits the ruling of the Nevada State Athletic Commission. Should they allow the fight to happen? Or has Tyson simply crossed the line? Do you want to see the fight?
I seriously think heavyweight boxing has less credibility in the eyes of the public than WWF at this point.
posted by owillis at 12:19 AM on January 27, 2002
Since this same topic came up on MeFi a few days ago, over the weekend I happened to catch the Shane Mosley- Vernon Forrest welterweight titlebout on HBO. I'm not a boxing fan, didn't really know who these guys were, and wouldn't have known it was on but happened to flip channels right to it just as it was starting. I'll admit, it was compelling viewing. I and ended up watching the entire 12-round fight. These guys weren't just banging the crap out of each other; you could- even a novice fan like myself- see and appreciate the "science" part of the "sweet science", as they worked various combinations and strategized what approaches would work, where the weak spots were. It reminded me of the savvy baseball fan appreciating the strategy of each pitch in an at-bat more than the casual fan; I got a hint of what true boxing fans must feel while watching this fight. The excessive braggadocio that usually accompanies heavyweight boxing a la WWF as owillis noted wasn't there either; indeed, when Vernon Forrest won convincingly in an upset victory, he and Mosely then met center ring, as respectful combatants and sportsmen, and you could read Forrest' lips as he thanked defending champ Mosley for the opportunity to fight him for the belt, and offered him a rematch whenever he wanted. In their after-fight interviews, they didn't come off as rocket scientists, but they maintained a pretty polite and respectful stance. Certainly, no one said "I'll fuck you until you love me, bitch!" All in all, I was surprised by how civil and genuinely competitive the sport seems to be at these lower weight levels. So for you longtime boxing fans: when exactly did heavyweight fighting lose this emphasis on boxing? Or, because it's heavyweight fighting, did it never have it to begin with?
posted by hincandenza at 01:21 PM on January 29, 2002
Tyson is dangerous. He should really be locked up, but man... I can't wait to see this.
posted by geoff at 03:44 PM on January 29, 2002
Or, because it's heavyweight fighting, did it never have it to begin with? Uhhmmm, there was that Holyfield feller, and some puluka named ... (what was that?) ... (Oh yeah) ... Ali. In all seriousness, there have been many heavyweight champions who were marvels at the sport, like Ali and Larry Holmes. Good boxers, who could also knock people out of their boots with well placed power. I, too, love the lower weight classes, just because they haven't forgotten how to box, as opposed to just blasting some yokel for the bucks. Sadly, before he went completely insane, Mike Tyson was a good boxer with great power. Few got to see his skill because he was just blasting people out of their boots. When he lost it over/because of Givens I think he just absorbed the gladiator mentality that told him he was a side-show freak who could hurt people. What bothers me is that people will pay to watch this freak. Lennox Lewis is an awesome competitor and a damn skilled fighter. He should never have been forced into a showdown with that twisted animal. I keep getting a mental vision of well dressed men and evening gown clad beauties drooling over the chance to watch somebody get bloody. Wild eyed spas-cases. That's exactly the kind of market that Don King and his ilk cater to. And to me, that's the end game of heavyweight boxing. (/rant)
posted by Wulfgar! at 04:07 PM on January 29, 2002
He's been denied. And that's without this Lewis accusation: The fact is that Mike Tyson bit through my trousers and took a significant piece of flesh out of my thigh. That pretty much says it all.
posted by justgary at 10:59 PM on January 29, 2002
ESPN.com's front page has a poll for your favorite Tyson nickname. My pick: Tyson Chicken.
posted by adampsyche at 07:43 AM on January 30, 2002
I don't like boxing, but I admit I have a morbid fascination with some aspects of it; in this case, the obvious sociopathic insanity of Mike Tyson and how much boxing will let him get away with because of the money.