The Hard Fall of Mike Tyson: Stick a fork in him

» NYCScribe - Stick a fork in him

It appears that the days of Mike Tyson as an elite proessional boxer are officially done. Being stopped by handpicked opponent, Danny Williams, in the fourth round, Mike demonstrated that he simply does not have it anymore. The fear he used to strike in the hearts of men no longer exists. He still has handspeed and power, but if this fails to take an opponent out within the first few rounds, Mike has little else to offer. His stamina is minimal, and his defense consists of a sturdy chin than takes numerous clean punches before he succumbs to them. Perhaps his supposed leg injury rendered him less effective than he would have been, but the truth is, Mike Tyson at 38 is a very pale imitation of Iron Mike at 28 or 18. The passage of time has done him few favors. When the opponent dismantling Tyson is the caliber of Evander Holyfield in his prime, or a great champion like Lennox Lewis, that's one thing. When Danny Williams is the guy knocking you around the ring, it's probably time to get a new gig. At the very least, it's time to put aside title aspirations and plans for big money fights. If I was a member of Team Tyson, I would be lobbying to get him a job as a commentator for boxing on Showtime. The man does not lack charisma, but what he has now officially lost is his mystique. Trying to fight his way back to the top is probably not in Mike's best interest, or in the best interest of boxing. Tyson needs to face harsh reality head on, and that may prove even tougher to do than absorbing punches from Danny Williams. The moment has arrived for Plan B, whatever it may be, to be implemented. I'd love to be proven wrong on this one. But rather than hoping for the near impossible, I'll instead wish the best for Mike Tyson. If he avoids the ring and the courtroom from here on out, everything might work out fine for him. That would indeed be a pleasant surprise.

-- posted by NYCScribe