Mike Tyson suddenly has a number of familiar suitors after his exhibition with Roy Jones Jr.
Mike Tyson has many options.
The 54-year-old former heavyweight champ, who faced Roy Jones Jr., 51, in a well-received exhibition last Saturday in Los Angeles, has been called out by former rivals Evander Holyfield, Buster Douglas and Kevin McBride.
Holyfield, 58, said it should have been him going toe-to-toe with Tyson, who he defeated twice in the 1990s. He watched the exhibition and wasn’t impressed.
“My side tried to make the fight happen and we got nothing but excuses. Now I can see why he wanted a tune-up fight before thinking about fighting me,” said Holyfield, who lost a portion of his ear in the second fight with Tyson.
[lawrence-related id=15912,15863]
The 60-year-old Douglas, who in 1990 stopped Tyson in one of the biggest upsets in boxing history, told USA Today that he’d love another crack at Iron Mike. He last fought in 1999.
“Sure, I would welcome the opportunity,’’ Douglas told USA TODAY Sports. “Being a prizefighter all those years and still feeling pretty good today, you always feel you got one more fight in you.’’
McBride was the last to face Tyson in a sanctioned bout, stopping him in six rounds in 2005. Tyson didn’t come out for the seventh round.
“I was sad to see him quit on the school,’’ said the 47-year-old McBride, who last fought in 2011. “I’d love to finish it in the ring, one way or another.’’
Holyfield, Douglas and McBride obviously are interested in padding their bank accounts. Tyson reportedly made $10 million for the Jones exhibition while Jones took home as much as $3 million.
The bout reportedly generated 1.2 million pay-per-view buys.
Tyson said after the bout, which ended in an unofficial draw, that he definitely plans to take part in more such exhibitions.
Mike Tyson suddenly has a number of familiar suitors after his exhibition with Roy Jones Jr.
Mike Tyson has many options.
The 54-year-old former heavyweight champ, who faced Roy Jones Jr., 51, in a well-received exhibition last Saturday in Los Angeles, has been called out by former rivals Evander Holyfield, Buster Douglas and Kevin McBride.
Holyfield, 58, said it should have been him going toe-to-toe with Tyson, who he defeated twice in the 1990s. He watched the exhibition and wasn’t impressed.
“My side tried to make the fight happen and we got nothing but excuses. Now I can see why he wanted a tune-up fight before thinking about fighting me,” said Holyfield, who lost a portion of his ear in the second fight with Tyson.
[lawrence-related id=15912,15863]
The 60-year-old Douglas, who in 1990 stopped Tyson in one of the biggest upsets in boxing history, told USA Today that he’d love another crack at Iron Mike. He last fought in 1999.
“Sure, I would welcome the opportunity,’’ Douglas told USA TODAY Sports. “Being a prizefighter all those years and still feeling pretty good today, you always feel you got one more fight in you.’’
McBride was the last to face Tyson in a sanctioned bout, stopping him in six rounds in 2005. Tyson didn’t come out for the seventh round.
“I was sad to see him quit on the school,’’ said the 47-year-old McBride, who last fought in 2011. “I’d love to finish it in the ring, one way or another.’’
Holyfield, Douglas and McBride obviously are interested in padding their bank accounts. Tyson reportedly made $10 million for the Jones exhibition while Jones took home as much as $3 million.
The bout reportedly generated 1.2 million pay-per-view buys.
Tyson said after the bout, which ended in an unofficial draw, that he definitely plans to take part in more such exhibitions.
Here are Mike Tyson’s three greatest moments in ring … and his three worst.
Mike Tyson has had many indelible moments in the ring, most good and some bad.
That’s what made Iron Mike arguably the greatest boxing figure since The Greatest, Muhammad Ali. The fact that the public remains fascinated with him three decades beyond his peak is evidence of that.
Tyson returns to the ring on Saturday for a pay-per-view exhibition with fellow quinquagenarian at Staples Center in Los Angeles.
Will the “fight” be just a nice, nostalgic sparring session, as officials hope it will be? Or will Tyson give us another memorable moment? With him, one never knows.
And speaking of nostalgia, we thought we’d look back on some his past moments inside the ring. Here are his three greatest moments … and his three worst.
BEST
YOUNGEST HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION
Nov. 22, 1986, Las Vegas: It was more a coronation than a competitive fight. Tyson, a huge puncher, had rolled over one heavyweight after another to earn a shot at the title held by the mediocre Trevor Berbick. So it was no surprise when the fight ended up being one of the most one-sided title transitions ever. Berbick decided from the beginning that he was going to stand and fight with Tyson. Bad idea. By the end of Round 1, Tyson began to land big shots and Berbick started to fall apart. The overmatched champion managed to get up from a knockdown early early in Round 2 but it was clear that his reign was about to end. Tyson landed a big left to Berbick’s temple and he went down again, this time losing his equilibrium. He got up, fell down, got up again, fell again before finally staggering to his feet. However, referee Mills Lane had seen enough. Tyson, only 20, had become the youngest heavyweight champion in history. Quote: “I’m the youngest heavyweight champion of the world and I’m going to be the oldest,” Tyson said.
***
GREATEST PERFORMANCE
June 27, 1988, Atlantic City, N.J.: One of the advantages Tyson had over many of his opponents was their fear. They’ve essentially lost before the opening bell. That might’ve been the mind set of the undefeated Michael Spinks, who was a great light heavyweight but only a good – and small – heavyweight. The 1976 Olympic gold medalist’s fears became reality quickly. He tried to jab and move or hold to keep Tyson under control but nothing worked. About a minute into the opening round Spinks, already overwhelmed, took a knee after absorbing a number of punishing blows. He got up – with a look of resignation on his face — and continued only to take one of the biggest shots of Tyson’s career, a right hand that put Spinks flat on his back and removed him from his senses. The “fight” lasted only 91 seconds. Many believe that Tyson was at his very best this unforgettable night. Quote: “Boxing is the best job in the world to let off steam, and people are in trouble Tyson wants to let off steam,” Spinks said.
***
CHAMPION AGAIN
March 16, 1996, Las Vegas: Tyson had been through a lot since his incredible run to the championship in the ’80s, most notably suffering an epic upset loss to Buster Douglas in 1990 and being convicted of rape two years later. He spent 3½ years in prison, after which it was unclear whether he could still fight. Turns out he could, at least well enough to handle his comeback opponents. He defeated journeyman Peter McNeeley by disqualification in his first fight in more than four years and then stopped Buster Mathis Jr. to earn a shot at the world title held by Frank Bruno. Bruno, who had been stopped by Tyson in 1989, evidently knew what was coming. He must’ve crossed himself a hundred times as he made his ring walk, evidently hoping for divine protection. Well, he lived to talk about it but things didn’t go well. Tyson unloaded a barrage of big shots in Round 3 that prompted referee Richard Steele to stop the fight. Tyson was champion again. Quote: “He was right on me like a harbor shark,” Bruno said.
***
WORST
THE UPSET
Feb. 11, 1990, Tokyo: We can say in retrospect that we should’ve seen something like this coming. Tyson was still undefeated but had become complacent, even stale. He didn’t fight with the quite the same passion that lifted him to the championship in the first place. And Buster Douglas, while a 42-1 underdog, was both capable and inspired, having just endured the passing of his beloved mother. It was a perfect storm and Tyson got caught in it. Douglas, the bigger man, withstood Tyson’s early attack and seemed to land more and more telling blows as the fight progressed to take control. It seemed as if the champion would overcome the challenge when he put Douglas down in Round 8 but the challenger survived. Two rounds later Douglas landed a historic right uppercut followed by a left-right-left that ended the surrealistic encounter. Tyson, only 23 years old, would never be the same. Quote: “It was a phenomenal moment in my life. To have done that is still amazing to me,” Douglas said 30 years later.
***
THE KNOCKOUT
Nov. 9, 1996, Las Vegas: Tyson had picked up where he left off when he went to prison by regaining two heavyweight titles. Next up: Evander Holyfield, the seemingly faded former heavyweight champion who opened as a 25-1 underdog. Holyfield had been stopped by Riddick Bowe two fights earlier – his first stoppage loss — and looked listless in a victory over blown up cruiserweight Bobby Czyz in his previous fight. Plus, he supposedly had had a problem with his heart. How could he possibly compete with Tyson? Welllllllllll. Holyfield, a small, but durable heavyweight, bullied the bully. He was able to handle everything Tyson threw at him and, using angles and clever footwork, he stunned everyone watching by returning fire with breathtaking ferocity. Tyson had been worn down when, with seconds to go in Round 10, he was hurt badly by a big right hand. Holyfield finished the job in Round 11, landing a number of hard punches that forced referee Mitch Halpern to save Tyson from more punishment. Holyfield had done the unthinkable. Quote: “I can’t believe what I’m seeing. It’s the most unbelievable thing that I’ve ever been privileged to witness,” commentator Bobby Czyz.
***
THE EAR BITE
June 28, 1997, Las Vegas: Tyson was still resentful of Holyfield because of what he perceived to be his dirty tactics in their first fight, principally repeated head butts. So when Holyfield butted him a few times early in the second fight – at least according to him – his blood began to boil, which led to one of the most infamous deeds in boxing history. The fighters were in a clinch when Tyson, apparently frustrated, gnawed off a portion Holyfield’s right ear with about 40 seconds remaining in Round 3. Mills Lane took two points from Tyson and allowed the fight to continue. Then, moments after the fight resumed, Tyson bit him again. This time, Lane DQ’d Tyson, which sparked a minor melee in the ring. Tyson would insist that he acted out because of his frustration with his rival’s tactics. Many believe that Tyson simply wanted a way out of a fight he was destined to lose and found it. Either way, it was an ugly night at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Quote: “Regardless of what I did, he’s been headbutting me for two fights,” Tyson said. “I addressed it in the ring. Look at me (pointing to a cut above his eye), I gotta go home to my kid who’s gonna be scared of me. Look at me, man.”
Here are Mike Tyson’s three greatest moments in ring … and his three worst.
Mike Tyson has had many indelible moments in the ring, most good and some bad.
That’s what made Iron Mike arguably the greatest boxing figure since The Greatest, Muhammad Ali. The fact that the public remains fascinated with him three decades beyond his peak is evidence of that.
Tyson returns to the ring on Saturday for a pay-per-view exhibition with fellow quinquagenarian at Staples Center in Los Angeles.
Will the “fight” be just a nice, nostalgic sparring session, as officials hope it will be? Or will Tyson give us another memorable moment? With him, one never knows.
And speaking of nostalgia, we thought we’d look back on some his past moments inside the ring. Here are his three greatest moments … and his three worst.
BEST
YOUNGEST HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION
Nov. 22, 1986, Las Vegas: It was more a coronation than a competitive fight. Tyson, a huge puncher, had rolled over one heavyweight after another to earn a shot at the title held by the mediocre Trevor Berbick. So it was no surprise when the fight ended up being one of the most one-sided title transitions ever. Berbick decided from the beginning that he was going to stand and fight with Tyson. Bad idea. By the end of Round 1, Tyson began to land big shots and Berbick started to fall apart. The overmatched champion managed to get up from a knockdown early early in Round 2 but it was clear that his reign was about to end. Tyson landed a big left to Berbick’s temple and he went down again, this time losing his equilibrium. He got up, fell down, got up again, fell again before finally staggering to his feet. However, referee Mills Lane had seen enough. Tyson, only 20, had become the youngest heavyweight champion in history. Quote: “I’m the youngest heavyweight champion of the world and I’m going to be the oldest,” Tyson said.
***
GREATEST PERFORMANCE
June 27, 1988, Atlantic City, N.J.: One of the advantages Tyson had over many of his opponents was their fear. They’ve essentially lost before the opening bell. That might’ve been the mind set of the undefeated Michael Spinks, who was a great light heavyweight but only a good – and small – heavyweight. The 1976 Olympic gold medalist’s fears became reality quickly. He tried to jab and move or hold to keep Tyson under control but nothing worked. About a minute into the opening round Spinks, already overwhelmed, took a knee after absorbing a number of punishing blows. He got up – with a look of resignation on his face — and continued only to take one of the biggest shots of Tyson’s career, a right hand that put Spinks flat on his back and removed him from his senses. The “fight” lasted only 91 seconds. Many believe that Tyson was at his very best this unforgettable night. Quote: “Boxing is the best job in the world to let off steam, and people are in trouble Tyson wants to let off steam,” Spinks said.
***
CHAMPION AGAIN
March 16, 1996, Las Vegas: Tyson had been through a lot since his incredible run to the championship in the ’80s, most notably suffering an epic upset loss to Buster Douglas in 1990 and being convicted of rape two years later. He spent 3½ years in prison, after which it was unclear whether he could still fight. Turns out he could, at least well enough to handle his comeback opponents. He defeated journeyman Peter McNeeley by disqualification in his first fight in more than four years and then stopped Buster Mathis Jr. to earn a shot at the world title held by Frank Bruno. Bruno, who had been stopped by Tyson in 1989, evidently knew what was coming. He must’ve crossed himself a hundred times as he made his ring walk, evidently hoping for divine protection. Well, he lived to talk about it but things didn’t go well. Tyson unloaded a barrage of big shots in Round 3 that prompted referee Richard Steele to stop the fight. Tyson was champion again. Quote: “He was right on me like a harbor shark,” Bruno said.
***
WORST
THE UPSET
Feb. 11, 1990, Tokyo: We can say in retrospect that we should’ve seen something like this coming. Tyson was still undefeated but had become complacent, even stale. He didn’t fight with the quite the same passion that lifted him to the championship in the first place. And Buster Douglas, while a 42-1 underdog, was both capable and inspired, having just endured the passing of his beloved mother. It was a perfect storm and Tyson got caught in it. Douglas, the bigger man, withstood Tyson’s early attack and seemed to land more and more telling blows as the fight progressed to take control. It seemed as if the champion would overcome the challenge when he put Douglas down in Round 8 but the challenger survived. Two rounds later Douglas landed a historic right uppercut followed by a left-right-left that ended the surrealistic encounter. Tyson, only 23 years old, would never be the same. Quote: “It was a phenomenal moment in my life. To have done that is still amazing to me,” Douglas said 30 years later.
***
THE KNOCKOUT
Nov. 9, 1996, Las Vegas: Tyson had picked up where he left off when he went to prison by regaining two heavyweight titles. Next up: Evander Holyfield, the seemingly faded former heavyweight champion who opened as a 25-1 underdog. Holyfield had been stopped by Riddick Bowe two fights earlier – his first stoppage loss — and looked listless in a victory over blown up cruiserweight Bobby Czyz in his previous fight. Plus, he supposedly had had a problem with his heart. How could he possibly compete with Tyson? Welllllllllll. Holyfield, a small, but durable heavyweight, bullied the bully. He was able to handle everything Tyson threw at him and, using angles and clever footwork, he stunned everyone watching by returning fire with breathtaking ferocity. Tyson had been worn down when, with seconds to go in Round 10, he was hurt badly by a big right hand. Holyfield finished the job in Round 11, landing a number of hard punches that forced referee Mitch Halpern to save Tyson from more punishment. Holyfield had done the unthinkable. Quote: “I can’t believe what I’m seeing. It’s the most unbelievable thing that I’ve ever been privileged to witness,” commentator Bobby Czyz.
***
THE EAR BITE
June 28, 1997, Las Vegas: Tyson was still resentful of Holyfield because of what he perceived to be his dirty tactics in their first fight, principally repeated head butts. So when Holyfield butted him a few times early in the second fight – at least according to him – his blood began to boil, which led to one of the most infamous deeds in boxing history. The fighters were in a clinch when Tyson, apparently frustrated, gnawed off a portion Holyfield’s right ear with about 40 seconds remaining in Round 3. Mills Lane took two points from Tyson and allowed the fight to continue. Then, moments after the fight resumed, Tyson bit him again. This time, Lane DQ’d Tyson, which sparked a minor melee in the ring. Tyson would insist that he acted out because of his frustration with his rival’s tactics. Many believe that Tyson simply wanted a way out of a fight he was destined to lose and found it. Either way, it was an ugly night at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Quote: “Regardless of what I did, he’s been headbutting me for two fights,” Tyson said. “I addressed it in the ring. Look at me (pointing to a cut above his eye), I gotta go home to my kid who’s gonna be scared of me. Look at me, man.”
Here are five questions going into the Mike Tyson-Roy Jones Jr. exhibition Saturday in Los Angeles.
Mike Tyson and Roy Jones Jr. will meet for whatever they plan to do in the ring Saturday at Staples Center in Los Angeles on pay-per-view.
The exhibition, which officials likened to a sparring session, matches two all-time greats against one another in boxing’s version of an old-timers game. Tyson is 54, Jones 51. Well see whether “old-timers” and “boxing” go together.
Tyson stirred the masses — as he had done so many times in the distance past — by posting on social media videos of himself looking as ripped and imposing as ever. Some are convinced that the heavyweight who terrorized the division in the 1980s is back, as fantastic as that seems.
And the hype has been immense, with Tyson claiming he’s the killer of old and Jones expressing trepidation. Could they be just trying to sell the fight? Wink, wink.
The pre-fight chatter will be at high volume this week. With that in mind, here are five questions to ponder going into the exhibition.
No. 1
Has Tyson really recaptured his old form?
Of course not. I shake my head when I hear someone say that the 54-year-old former two-time heavyweight champion can compete with the likes of Tyson Fury or Anthony Joshua today. C’mon. He looked horrible in his last fight, a knockout loss to journeyman Kevin McBride. And that was 15 years ago. He might be fit (for his age) and as ferocious as ever, which brings back memories of the juggernaut who once steamrolled all-comers. But it’s an illusion. One can whip oneself into reasonably good shape and summon the passion of the past but speed, coordination and reflexes fade over time. Tyson is definitely a bad ass for his age – he’ll probably remain one for the rest of his life – but the fighter who captured our collective imagination 30-plus years ago has been relegated to history. Don’t fool yourself into believing anything else.
No. 2
How much has Jones declined?
See above. The former four-division titleholder was once one of the most-dazzling all-around fighters in history, with off-the-charts quickness, reflexes and power. Now? He’s just an old man (by boxing standards) with a lot of experience and some muscle memory. Jones has a few advantages over Tyson. He’s a little younger, although three years isn’t much. More important, he last fought in February 2018, when he outpointed journeyman Scott Sigmon. Almost three years away is a lot – especially for a 50-something fighter – but it’s nothing compared to 15, which is a lifetime ago. And it should be noted that Jones took part in an exhibition against Dion Rizzuto in February of last year. Jones clearly is a different person from the one who was so dominating in the 1990s and early 2000s but, our gut tells us, he has more left than Tyson does.
No. 3
Is it appropriate for two 50-somethings to exchange blows?
Good question. If this were an actual fight, one in which the principals intended to hurt one another, the answer to that question would be “no.” That’s probably not the reality, though. California officials have made this as safe as possible – oversized gloves, eight two-minute rounds and, it seems, an understanding between the fighters that they will not try to knock each other’s gray-haired heads off. If that’s the case, if this is essentially the sparring session officials have described, then there’s nothing inherently wrong with it. The last thing anyone wants to see is either Tyson or Jones carried out of the arena on a stretcher. Can you image?
No. 4
Who was better at their peaks?
Jones. Tyson was an excellent fighter and a much bigger figure than Jones – he was the youngest ever to win the heavyweight crown, after all – but he never beat an elite opponent when that opponent was in his prime. Not once. His greatest victory was probably his knockout of Michael Spinks, who was a special light heavyweight but only a good heavyweight. Jones was the best fighter of an entire decade-plus, the 1990s and early 2000s. His dazzling speed, flair and power was breathtaking for those fortunate enough to witness it. He was arguably the best fighter between Sugar Ray Leonard and the present. Would Jones have beaten Tyson head-to-head in their primes? Highly doubtful because of the size difference. But he was better than Tyson pound-for-pound.
No. 5
Should we pay $50 to watch this?
Depends. If you’re expecting to see a competitive clash between two contender-level fighters, then don’t waste your money. That’s not what this is. It’s a glorified light sparring session between two once-great, but badly faded legends, nothing more. The exhibition won’t be scored and there will be no winner, at least officially. Retired boxers Christy Martin, Vinny Pazienza and Chad Dawson were hired by the WBC to score the fight just for fun. And the participants will wear 12-pounce gloves, which should soften whatever blows they end up landing. If you understand that, if you’re happy simply to take a nostalgic trip down memory lane, then, hey, $50 isn’t an outrageous fee. Knock yourself out, which is more than Tyson or Jones is likely to do to the other on Saturday night.
Here are five questions going into the Mike Tyson-Roy Jones Jr. exhibition Saturday in Los Angeles.
Mike Tyson and Roy Jones Jr. will meet for whatever they plan to do in the ring Saturday at Staples Center in Los Angeles on pay-per-view.
The exhibition, which officials likened to a sparring session, matches two all-time greats against one another in boxing’s version of an old-timers game. Tyson is 54, Jones 51. Well see whether “old-timers” and “boxing” go together.
Tyson stirred the masses — as he had done so many times in the distance past — by posting on social media videos of himself looking as ripped and imposing as ever. Some are convinced that the heavyweight who terrorized the division in the 1980s is back, as fantastic as that seems.
And the hype has been immense, with Tyson claiming he’s the killer of old and Jones expressing trepidation. Could they be just trying to sell the fight? Wink, wink.
The pre-fight chatter will be at high volume this week. With that in mind, here are five questions to ponder going into the exhibition.
No. 1
Has Tyson really recaptured his old form?
Of course not. I shake my head when I hear someone say that the 54-year-old former two-time heavyweight champion can compete with the likes of Tyson Fury or Anthony Joshua today. C’mon. He looked horrible in his last fight, a knockout loss to journeyman Kevin McBride. And that was 15 years ago. He might be fit (for his age) and as ferocious as ever, which brings back memories of the juggernaut who once steamrolled all-comers. But it’s an illusion. One can whip oneself into reasonably good shape and summon the passion of the past but speed, coordination and reflexes fade over time. Tyson is definitely a bad ass for his age – he’ll probably remain one for the rest of his life – but the fighter who captured our collective imagination 30-plus years ago has been relegated to history. Don’t fool yourself into believing anything else.
No. 2
How much has Jones declined?
See above. The former four-division titleholder was once one of the most-dazzling all-around fighters in history, with off-the-charts quickness, reflexes and power. Now? He’s just an old man (by boxing standards) with a lot of experience and some muscle memory. Jones has a few advantages over Tyson. He’s a little younger, although three years isn’t much. More important, he last fought in February 2018, when he outpointed journeyman Scott Sigmon. Almost three years away is a lot – especially for a 50-something fighter – but it’s nothing compared to 15, which is a lifetime ago. And it should be noted that Jones took part in an exhibition against Dion Rizzuto in February of last year. Jones clearly is a different person from the one who was so dominating in the 1990s and early 2000s but, our gut tells us, he has more left than Tyson does.
No. 3
Is it appropriate for two 50-somethings to exchange blows?
Good question. If this were an actual fight, one in which the principals intended to hurt one another, the answer to that question would be “no.” That’s probably not the reality, though. California officials have made this as safe as possible – oversized gloves, eight two-minute rounds and, it seems, an understanding between the fighters that they will not try to knock each other’s gray-haired heads off. If that’s the case, if this is essentially the sparring session officials have described, then there’s nothing inherently wrong with it. The last thing anyone wants to see is either Tyson or Jones carried out of the arena on a stretcher. Can you image?
No. 4
Who was better at their peaks?
Jones. Tyson was an excellent fighter and a much bigger figure than Jones – he was the youngest ever to win the heavyweight crown, after all – but he never beat an elite opponent when that opponent was in his prime. Not once. His greatest victory was probably his knockout of Michael Spinks, who was a special light heavyweight but only a good heavyweight. Jones was the best fighter of an entire decade-plus, the 1990s and early 2000s. His dazzling speed, flair and power was breathtaking for those fortunate enough to witness it. He was arguably the best fighter between Sugar Ray Leonard and the present. Would Jones have beaten Tyson head-to-head in their primes? Highly doubtful because of the size difference. But he was better than Tyson pound-for-pound.
No. 5
Should we pay $50 to watch this?
Depends. If you’re expecting to see a competitive clash between two contender-level fighters, then don’t waste your money. That’s not what this is. It’s a glorified light sparring session between two once-great, but badly faded legends, nothing more. The exhibition won’t be scored and there will be no winner, at least officially. Retired boxers Christy Martin, Vinny Pazienza and Chad Dawson were hired by the WBC to score the fight just for fun. And the participants will wear 12-pounce gloves, which should soften whatever blows they end up landing. If you understand that, if you’re happy simply to take a nostalgic trip down memory lane, then, hey, $50 isn’t an outrageous fee. Knock yourself out, which is more than Tyson or Jones is likely to do to the other on Saturday night.
Manny Robles believes he did the best he could to get Andy Ruiz prepared for the rematch against Anthony Joshua…
Manny Robles is still smarting over his split from ex-heavyweight titlist Andy Ruiz.
The veteran trainer was in Ruiz’s corner the night he notched an historic upset over Anthony Joshua last June to pick up three heavyweight belts. He was also there in Saudi Arabia six months later in the rematch to witness Ruiz, sluggish and out of shape, hand back the titles to Joshua in a disappointing points loss.
Soon thereafter, Ruiz cut ties with Robles. According to Robles, he never had another chance to chat with Ruiz after that weekend.
That left an acid taste in Robles’ mouth. In a recent interview with IFL TV, Robles elaborated on aspects of the fallout as well as Ruiz’s lack of preparation for the rematch. Ruiz weighed in at 283.5 pounds, nearly 15 more than his weight for the first bout.
“Obviously, [I was] very disappointed,” Robles said. “I tried to hang in there as much as I could and not lose faith in my fighter and hoping that he would wake up one day and realize the importance and responsibility that he had for himself and his family.”
But with instant fame came heavyweight riches.
“You gotta understand: He’s a ghetto boy,” Robles said. “He’s a kid who never had anything in life and all of a sudden you wake up and you have millions of dollars in the bank and [are] ready to make more money, more millions at that. It’s just overwhelming.”
And with riches came the usual sycophants.
“He made a lot of new friends that weren’t around when he had nothing,” Robles said. “And unfortunately people change with money, money and fame. Money changes some people. I can’t say all people.
“But it changed him. And unfortunately it changed him for the worst.”
Robles, however, understands that such an outcome is nothing new. Many heavyweight underdogs – from Buster Douglas to Oliver McCall – who reach the pinnacle of the division suddenly find themselves back to square one. The good life becomes a little too good.
“It’s hard to wake up in the morning when you have that much money in the bank,” Robles said. “I tried to convince him that you have a huge responsibility. If money is what drives you, go out there and make more. Lets go beat this guy again.
“Like I said, I did everything I could on my end but unfortunately it wasn’t enough.”
Asked what he thinks about a rumored fight between Ruiz and Luis Ortiz in the summer, Robles still believed in his former charge.
“Andy can win that fight, but he’s just got to be ready,” Robles said. “He’s gotta show up.”
Buster Douglas’ stunning knockout of Mike Tyson 30 years ago remains the standard by which other upsets are judged.
GOOD
Yesterday Tokyo time – today in the U.S. – was the 30th anniversary of Buster Douglas’ seismic upset of Mike Tyson.
Whether that result was “good” depends on your perspective. If you were a Tyson fan, it was not good. If you celebrate the historic moments in a sport rich in lore, as I do, Douglas’ knockout remains as fascinating today as it was in 1990.
Douglas proved that a capable, motivated fighter – particularly one as big as the 6-foot-3½ Douglas – who wasn’t terrified of Tyson could be competitive with one of the sport’s most intimidating figures.
Inspired by the death of his mother, Douglas, a good boxer, brought experience and determination into the ring against the then-unbeaten Tyson and, even though he went down himself, shocked the world by ending the fight in the 10th round.
Douglas hurt a fading Tyson with a right uppercut and then followed with a left-right-left that put him down for the first time in his career. Tyson, dazed and guided by instinct, managed to stumble to his feet but it was too late. Referee Octavio Meyran waved his arms to end the fight and an era.
The image is indelible: the great Iron Mike, on hands and knees, fumbling for his mouthpiece, a beaten man. He was never the same.
Of course, many fascinating elements are attached to the fight. One that always stood out for me: Tyson was only 23 years old at the time, meaning he was more of less a shooting star who began his decline much earlier than most fighters.
Tyson was good post-Douglas and always compelling – he regained a portion of the heavyweight title after emerging from prison years later – but he was never the force of nature he had been before Douglas.
Guillermo Rigondeaux (left) probably will never win over fans in spite of his greatness. Amanda Westcott / Showtime
BAD
Guillermo Rigondeaux is stuck being who he is. And that’s not the worst thing in the world.
The two-time Olympic champion gave us a glimpse of his warrior side when he went toe to toe and then knocked out Julio Ceja in June. And he provided one more peek at that version of himself in the opening round against Liborio Solis in his first fight at 118 pounds on the Gary Russell Jr.-Tugstsogt Nyambayar card Saturday.
And then it was over. The Rigondeaux, who was tagged by Solis a few times in the first round, went back to the safety-first boxer we’ve grown to know and not-quite-love over the past decade-plus.
The Cuban proved he has more than enough at 39 years old to beat a solid fighter like Solis when he fights his way, which is to jab and move and land just enough punches to win on the scorecards. That’s how he walked away with a split-decision victory over Solis that should’ve been unanimous.
The problem? He was booed late in the fight because of a lack of action. Of course, that’s understandable. The fans come to see warfare, not dancing.
Still, to boo Rigondeaux is harsh. The man has mastered the technical side of boxing to a degree rarely seen. He’s a true artist. At the very least, fans should keep that in mind when they watch his fights even if he hasn’t mastered the entertainment side of the sport.
Maybe he’ll have to beat someone like Naoya Inoue – which I believe is possible – to get the respect he deserves.
Tugstsogt Nyambayar (left) came up short but undoubtedly learned a great deal against Gary Russell Jr. Amanda Westcott / Showtime
WORSE
Tugstsogt Nyambayar seemed to be kicking himself when he said after losing a unanimous decision to Gary Russell Jr. that he “made a mistake waiting for him during the fight.” And he might’ve been right to do so.
Nyambayar, a 2012 Olympic silver medalist from Mongolia, fought the more-experienced Russell on even terms from the fifth round on in the featherweight title fight.
The problem, from Nyambayar’s perspective, is that he gave away the first four rounds and couldn’t make up the lost ground. He tried. Starting in Round 5, he attacked Russell with the kind of ferocity necessary to at least somewhat neutralize Russell’s speed and polished skill set but didn’t have enough time.
Thus, the self-flagellation made sense. Nyambayar probably could’ve scored a career-defining victory or least come closer to doing so.
In the end, he’ll have to be satisfied with a learning experience. One, if he had any doubt about his ability to compete with a top-tier opponent, that has been resolved. Two, he learned not to dig himself into a hole. And, three, there are many more subtle things a fighter learns in such a competitive 12-round fight.
Nyambayar is justifiably disappointed in the result and himself. At the same time, he’ll be a better fighter going forward. That is extremely bad news for prospective opponents in and around his weight.
Andy Ruiz Jr. has promised to do what it takes to become heavyweight champion again.
The party is over. The apology tour has begun.
Andy Ruiz Jr. issued an apology in an Instagram post Thursday night for his performance – or lack of it – in a dismal loss to Anthony Joshua on Dec. 7 in Saudi Arabia.
“I’ve had time to reflect since my fight on Saturday,’’ Ruiz said. “Congrats to Anthony. He did what he needed to do. Now it’s time for me to do what I need to do. I’ll be back stronger. I WILL be a champion once again. I appreciate all the love and support from my true fans.
“I appreciate the haters as well and can’t wait to prove the haters wrong once again. Back to the gym. Let’s start this journey to the belts.”
Ruiz has become a convenient punch line since his one-sided scorecard loss to Joshua in a defense of the titles he took on June 1 in what was then compared to Buster Douglas’ upset of Mike Tyson in 1990. Turns out, the Douglas parallel might have been more accurate in the rematch than it was in the June fight.
Post-Tyson, Douglas partied more than he trained. He had pizza delivered to a sauna before a weigh-in for his subsequent fight against Evander Holyfield. Douglas had no chance then, losing by a third-round stoppage to Holyfield in the first defense of his title.
Ruiz had no chance Saturday. He partied like Douglas and paid for it over 12 rounds against a cautious and clever Joshua. Ruiz was about 15 pounds heavier than he was in June.
The question is whether his career will go the way Douglas did. Douglas never won another title. He never even got a shot at one. Post-Holyfield, he went 8-1 and retired quietly.
Andy Ruiz Jr. says he has worked too hard to lose his heavyweight titles in his rematch with Anthony Joshua.
Will Andy Ruiz Jr. be an enduring champion or go the way of Buster Douglas? We’ll get a better idea about that soon.
Ruiz stunned the boxing world by stopping Anthony Joshua in seven rounds to win three major heavyweight titles in June. He faces Joshua in an immediate rematch on Saturday in Diriyah, Saudi Arabia on DAZN.
Douglas turned in arguably the greatest upset ever when he knocked out Mike Tyson to with the heavyweight championship in 1990. In his next fight, he was stopped by Evander Holyfield. That was more or less the end of Douglas as an elite fighter.
“Of course, I don’t want these beautiful belts to go away,” Ruiz said at the final news conference before the fight. “Remember, I’ve been doing this since I was 6. It’s finally paying off, and no way I’m going let these belts go. I’m going to die trying and do anything that’s possible to get that victory.
“It’s been a long journey, long roller coaster in my life, and no way I’m going to let these go Dec. 7. Let the best man win.”
Ruiz discussed his preparations with Chris Mannix of DAZN.
