04/25/24
February 07, 2002
Lewis must fight Tyson: says the World Boxing Council. Rumors are suggesting the venue could be at the Texas Motor Speedway or in Atlanta. Good news for the boxing world?
My living room's available if they're really desperate.
posted by zempf at 01:33 PM on February 07, 2002
I'm trying to wrap my brain around the concept that a sports organization would so willingly exploit the mentally ill, and put an athlete in jeapardy to do so. Screw it, the only appropriate venue for this "event" is the Roman Coliseum. Is the WBC at least going to make Tyson wear one of those Hannible Lector mask thingies?
posted by Wulfgar! at 01:44 PM on February 07, 2002
I want to know what the WBA, WBO, IBF, WBF, IMF, The World Bank, NATO and Cher have to say about this. I don't follow boxing all that closely. The main reason for that is that it's corrupt beyond compare. Winners don't always win, losers don't always lose and promoters laugh their way to the bank. Not to mention, everytime there is a new champ or a new fight on the horizon, each of the organizations demands a separate contender and if they don't get it, they strip the title. A big portion of boxing's problem seems to stem from the "governing bodies" themselves. They're worse than the IOC and the NCAA conbined and that my friends, is quite a feat.
posted by 86 at 01:48 PM on February 07, 2002
I think they should fight on the moon. Then I'd watch.
posted by owillis at 03:20 PM on February 07, 2002
wulfgar: is the Texas Motor Speedway all that different from the Coliseum? I mean, this is the Speedway that was designed to increase speeds past the point of safety of the drivers.
posted by tieguy at 03:53 PM on February 07, 2002
i'm pretty sure tyson is now being managed by skandar akbar. if not, he should be. even if i thought this would be a good fight (lewis will hammer tyson, imho), i wouldn't support it with a dime of my money. sideshows like this are what keep me from supporting the sport. are you listening don king?
posted by lescour at 04:08 PM on February 07, 2002
skandor. my bad.
posted by lescour at 04:11 PM on February 07, 2002
Lescour, I agree, and SB's post has a lot to do with why. However, if one of my friends ponies up for the money for payperview, you can bet I'll watch. If not, I have no problem with just watching the replays of Tyson's inevitable meltdown and arena subsequent security meltdown on Sportscenter.
posted by Samsonov14 at 05:09 PM on February 07, 2002
Or "subsequent arena security meldown". One day here, and I've already got my first hastily previewed post. Damn you, sports enthusiasm!
posted by Samsonov14 at 05:11 PM on February 07, 2002
Boxing is a disturbing sport anyway. By the virtue of what it is, it doesn't lend itself to brains and finesse. Frankly, I was shocked that Vegas (VEGAS! of all places) turned him down. He's too crass even for VEGAS! And let's face it, if you can't do something there...it can't be done at all! But no surprise that someone else figured out the amount of money involved and it will still happen. Tyson is a pathetic person, and really reminds me of the beaten up and abused rottweilers and vicous dogs that are left in the kennels because no one can get near them. Nothing he does is "good news for the boxing world." It's a mockery and a sham. And a violent and pathetic one at that.
posted by aacheson at 06:00 PM on February 07, 2002
Tyson is a pathetic person, and really reminds me of the beaten up and abused rottweilers I agree. So is it his fault or evil promoters (just asking)?
posted by walrus at 06:03 PM on February 07, 2002
By the virtue of what it is, it doesn't lend itself to brains and finesse. Jebus, I hate disagreeing with you all'a'time. I don't think that's true. So many fighters through the history of the sport have known what finesse means, and outsmart their opponents as well as out punch them. Micheal Spinks out-finessed Larry Holmes. Mohammed Ali outsmarted George Foreman (and out finessed him), and George Foreman out-thunk Michael Moorer (patience and power, baby). Oscar De La Hoya is one of the most intelligent fighters, (and humans) to ever participate in the "sweet science". He's a damn bright man, and a total asset to his community, and the sport of boxing. Now let me agree with you. Tyson is pathetic. Nothing he does is "good news for the boxing world." I deeply believe that part of it is the fault of greed and evil promoters. But why the hell do people keep spending money on this shit? I'm amazed and agog at the profits garnered by pay-per-view extravaganzas that one can better with a visit to a sideshow freak house. It is a mockery and a sham, and we're the ones being mocked.
posted by Wulfgar! at 06:43 PM on February 07, 2002
The promoters and managers don't really care if Mike loses the fight, his mind or his freedom as long as they get to fatten their wallets. It's all about sensationalism, the more of it there is, the bigger the gain for all involved.
posted by RGarraud at 08:20 PM on February 07, 2002
I was under the impression that license suspension/denial in Nevada was honored elsewhere, but apparently not. However, Nevada does have a regulation that prevents promoters from dealing with someone whose license has been suspended or revoked. 'A newly enacted (1997) federal law encourages states to recognize another state's suspensions but does not mandate it in all cases'. The above quotes from Tysons 1997 suspension. Bad news for boxing.
posted by Mack Twain at 11:05 PM on February 07, 2002
Have any of you driven by the Texas Motor Speedway? It's freaking HUGE!! How you could put a little ass boxing ring in and expect anyone to see, i dunno. Of course, this is a sport where people will pay $50 to watch a two round match on PPV.
posted by Ufez Jones at 12:07 AM on February 08, 2002
If they fight in Texas, I will find a way to be there. Even if it's not a good fight, it would be fun to be in the middle of such a media melee.