by John M. Curtis
(310) 204-8700

Copyright June 9, 2002
All Rights Reserved.

hrowing his critics for a loop, aging former champ Mike Tyson sucked it up, taking a merciless pounding from heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis. Tyson couldn't shake off the ring-rust, fighting only 18 rounds since biting Holyfield's ears in 1997. Tyson looked like a shell of the boxer that once dominated the heavyweight division in the mid-'80s. Minutes after getting knocked out by a chopping right, Tyson picked himself up off the mat and thanked Lewis for giving him a $20 million pay day, despite forfeiting $335,000 for biting his thigh in a publicity fracas back in January. Tyson was gracious in defeat, praising Lewis for displaying championship form. "He is a magnificent, prolific fighter, and he should continue fighting," said Tyson, showing the kind of sportsmanship few expected from the erratic convicted felon. "I love him and respect him too much to do something to him," suggesting Tyson controlled his temper just long enough to collect his paycheck.

      Tyson's fans couldn't help feel the utter humiliation, watching the former champ turned into a human punching bag by a less than spectacular performance by Lewis. "This is my defining fight the whole world wanted to see," said Lewis, deluding himself into believing that his performance against the has-been boxer guaranteed his place in boxing lore. "I wanted to complete my legacy as the best fighter on the planet. I showed the boxing world who is the best in the world," proving, if nothing else, that Lewis still suffers from a lingering inferiority complex. Lewis proved nothing beating an over-the-hill human wrecking ball, whose personal self-destructiveness exceeds his 49-4, with two disqualifications, record. Proving critics wrong, Tyson didn't go ballistic, return to cannibalism or otherwise disgrace the sport. He acted sportsman-like before, during and after the fight, making a statement to boxing fans worldwide—and the Nevada State Athletic Commission—that he's no longer a loose cannon.

      Paying his debt to society, Tyson took a savage beating, leaving him a bloody mess before finally getting KO'd in the eighth round. Though Tyson did time in Indiana for allegedly raping former Miss America Desiree Washington, his debt wasn't repaid until Lewis delivered merciless punishment before 15,327 frenzied fans at Pyramid Center in Memphis, Tenn. Tyson took it like a man, without the shenanigans seen when he chewed Holyfield's ears in 1997, tried to break Francois Botha's arm in 1999, and bit Lewis' leg in Jan. 2002. "It was a splendid performance," said Tyson, shocking his critics and showing the kind of sportsmanship not expected from the former champ. Beyond the obvious, the real story involves not Tyson's deteriorated boxing skills but his growing maturity and graciousness in the wake of a humiliating defeat. Taking his lumps, he answered his critics, far too consumed with hyping the Tyson freak show, not fairly chronicling one of the sad stories in professional sports.

      What's left for Tyson now that a rematch makes absolutely no sense. Sure it's possible that Tyson could land a lucky punch. But with Lewis beating Tyson so decisively, there's little interest in a sequel. Whether Tyson can reclaim his once legendary ferocity is anyone's guess. Only flashes were seen during the first round when Lewis smartly evaded Tyson's clumsy knockout shots. Unlike Lewis, Tyson relied heavily on intimidation and quick work, dispatching opponents with awesome displays of focused aggression. With his adrenal glands fading, it's unlikely that the once ferocious "Iron Mike" can recapture that same winning formula that worked in his youth. Though one year younger than Lewis, Tyson, 35, looked like a geriatric shadow of his former self. "I think heavyweight fighters mature at different times," said the 36-year-old Lewis, claiming supremacy, after easily dispatching Tyson. "Mike Tyson matured at 19, when he ruled the planet. I'm like fine wine, I'm always learning. And I'm ruling now."

      Mike Tyson didn't mature at age 19—at least not emotionally. He was a loose cannon, wreaking havoc on opponents in the ring but also on himself. Flat on his back, he showed more maturity in defeat than earlier stage of his immensely successful career. Tyson's spectacle involved the unbridled "dark side," rarely owned but witnessed by his crude and erratic personality. Before doing time, Tyson's explosive boxing style delivered high drama and spectacular knockouts—an irresistible drawing card. Few fighters lit up the division with more anticipation and excitement. Watching Tyson lumber around the ring, picked apart one jab at a time, was painful for fans hoping for the old "Iron Mike." "I wanted to prove to the people that I'm the best in the world," said Lewis, sadly missing his chance to prove his point during Tyson's prime. Lewis beat a ghost from his past, not one of the division's top contenders.

      Proving his critics wrong, Mike Tyson picked himself up off the mat and showed the world another side. Perhaps the most misunderstood professional athlete on the planet, he took a giant step toward rehabilitating a troubled image, marred by loose talk and grotesque displays. While some will argue that Tyson's about face was all show, he took Lewis' beating like a man, made no excuses, and expressed graciousness in defeat. Whether Tyson gets another title shot remains to be seen. Though it's sad to watch any great champion humiliated, it's satisfying to see his real maturity finally show up. Lewis may be pounding his chest, but real champions don't gloat at the expense of the vanquished. There's a season for everything, except the kind of conceit proving that Lewis' boxing skills run ahead of his own maturity. Whatever Tyson decides to do, he's got a lot more people on his side than before. Who knows, maybe he's got some more surprises.

About the Author

John M. Curtis is editor of OnlineColumnist.com and columnist for the Los Angeles Daily Journal. He's director of a Los Angeles think tank specializing in corporate consulting and strategic communication. He's author of Dodging The Bullet and Operation Charisma.

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