Saturday, September 15, 2007 Quijano: In defense of Iron Bite By Jingo Quijano Last Round
HE used to be the baddest man on the planet. Now, he’s just plain bad.
In case you haven’t heard, Mike Tyson is on trial again- this time for drug possession, stemming from his Dec. 29 arrest outside a nightclub after he nearly collided with a police cruiser.
The handling prosecutor has vowed to seek the maximum penalty of 7 ½ years for Iron Bite, noting that the latter already has a prior conviction. My, how the mighty have fallen.
Estimated to have earned more than $300 million in his career, this boxing icon is now broke and just months away from a rematch with his prison stint.
Some people find it quite unbelievable how he could blow $300 all away. Here’s how.
An article in the October 2003 issue of Boxing Digest listed the following liabilities: $13.4 million for back taxes to the US government. $4 million in taxes to Britain. $1.2 million to financial managers. And that’s not all.
Think your lawyer is charging too much? How does $600,000 for legal fees sound? Spend too much for taxis? Tyson needs $309,000 for his limousine rides.
This one takes the cake. Figure you’ve squandered a fortune on pre-paid phone cards? Tyson owes $230,000 for cellphones and pagers.
Bentley automobiles. Bengal Tigers. Fur coats. You name it, he gave it all away to friends and his hangers-on when he was at his peak. Filipinos have a saying for it. “Galit sa pera”
OVERRATED. As if his woes are not enough, some boxing writers have recently branded Mike Tyson overrated and unworthy of entry into boxing’s Hall of Fame.
Not so.
A career record of 50-6 (44 KO) is nothing to sneeze at. He was the youngest man in heavyweight boxing history to hold unified titles. At age 20, he was defending the heavyweight belt.
He knocked out then undefeated Michael Spinks in just 91 seconds. He defeated Larry Holmes. Tony Tucker. James Tillis. Frank Bruno. Razor Ruddock. Andrew Golota.
Sure, he lost to Lennox Lewis, but by then he was way past his prime, his skills eroded and dissipated. When he was younger, Mike Tyson would bob and weave, and slip his opponent’s punches to get in perfect position to land his devastating punches. The older Tyson relied solely on his brute strength, and didn’t even bother to get into proper punching angles.
Evander Holyfield knocked him out, but I really believe he could have won the rematch had he not imploded and decided to make a snack out of Holyfield’s ears.
He is widely recognized to be the most devastating puncher in heavyweight history. Sure, he was a flawed fighter-most brawlers are- but you have to admit, he took our breaths away when he fought.
And he translated this excitement to become the biggest pay-per-view draw in boxing history. Even for that reason alone, he deserves to be a hall of famer.
BOXING BIBLE HAS NEW MESSIAH. The news that Oscar dela Hoya has bought The Ring magazine, and its sister publications was very intriguing. Widely known and recognized as the “Bible” of boxing, The Ring is a staple for any boxing fan.
As a loyal Ring reader all these years, I had the impression that most of its writers (great writers, mind you) aren’t exactly Golden Boy cheerleaders. How would the acquisition affect them? Oscar himself has sworn to respect and maintain its editorial integrity while Editor Nigel Collins was reportedly pleased that the magazine is now owned by a person who knows boxing.
Lucky guys these Ring writers. It’s not everyday you get to write something nasty about your own boss. And actually get paid for it. Hehehe!
QUOTE OF THE DAY. “I’d like to make out with Gina, but I’m here to knock her out. Either way she wants it, though, is fine with me.’’ - Female boxer Gina Carano at the press conference for her fight with Tonya Evinger
THE LAST ROUND. It is on the best-looking twin-sister tandem I know. Atty. Carrie Dela Serna-Unchuan and Prosecutor Marie Dela Serna who recently celebrated their birthdays. Cheers!
