Mike Tyson got his due last June as a new inductee into the international Boxing Hall of Fame. Now he goes from one Hall of Fame to another, as a new member of the WWE Hall of Fame which will be official the night before the annual WrestleMania event for the Vince McMahon owned wrestling organization.
And though this is not boxing, where Tyson became the youngest heavyweight champion, the WWE was instrumental in his fame when he had a stare down with Steve Austin. He was a special enforcer referee at WrestleMania XIV in 1998, the same year he was suspended after taking a bit of the ear of Evander Holyfield in their heavyweight championship bout.
When word leaked out early Monday that Tyson would be inducted into the ?Celebrity Wing? of the WWE Hall, boxing fans were not surprised. Neither was the wrestling fan. The official announcement, on the weekly Monday Night RAW- WWE telecast, was already known when WWE publicity personnel sent out an official press release earlier in the day. Like Boxing, wrestling fans seem to have their sources so the word about Tyson adding another accolade to his career came with minimal suspense.
Knowledge of a solid relationship with Tyson and the WWE was known when he earned a reported $1.5 million for his WrestleMania role, the annual and largest pro wrestling pay-per-view event of the year. McMahon has always admired Tyson and was seen at ringside for many of the memorable Tyson championship bouts.
Back then, Tyson, a huge fan of the WWE, since his youth was elated to get the call to work a program with Austin and be a headline at WrestleMania. The PPV received one of the highest buy rates since the WWE got into the pay-per-view industry and the ?Guys?, as talent is known as, gave him respect something that is not customary when McMahon brings in a celebrity for the premiere wrestling extravaganza.
Tyson said he was honored and had his most fun when he was with the WWE. Austin, who will attend the Hall of Fame induction, is expected to induct Tyson at the official ceremony the eve of WrestleMania at the American Airlines Arena in Miami on March 31st.
When reached for comment, Austin said ?Mike was such a pleasure to work with. We have remained friends over the years and it will be a pleasure to be there and see him get inducted as the newest member of the WWE Hall of Fame.?
Tyson will be in the spotlight with other new inductees that include the famed ?Four Horsemen?, Edge, and Rey Mysterio. Other names will be announced in the weeks to come. Austin was inducted two years ago and is still a popular draw when he appears occasionally at WWE pay-per-view events and television programming.
BERTO HURT AND ORTIZ FIGHT IN JEAOPARDY: It has been confirmed that Andre Berto, who suffered a serious arm injury in training, is hurt and may not be able to get in the ring and fight Victor Ortiz another time on their February 11th Showtime televised fight. Berto, late Monday, was scheduled to have an MRI performed at a nearby hospital in Van Nuys California where he is training for the fight.
A source at Golden Boy, promoter of Ortiz, said it was undetermined if the fight will proceed. The extent of the injury is unknown, but reports say it is not good and the injury could require more than a three-week recovery period. Ortiz could not be reached for comment.
This is supposed to be one of the anticipated fights of the year. Their first fight, last April 16th at Foxwoods resort in Connecticut, could have been classified as Fight of the Year. Both fighters were knocked down twice, both in the sixth round and Ortiz went on to a unanimous decision and taking the WBC welterweight title from Berto.
CHAVEZ JR. IS NOT AVOIDING SERGIO: Despite all the talk and discussion, Julio Caesar Chavez Jr. is not avoiding or backing off from defending his WBC middleweight title against Sergio Martinez. Chavez will defend the title Saturday on HBO against Marco Antonio Rubio.
But, promoter Bob Arum of Top Rank, who holds the rights to Chavez, is putting a dent in the Martinez-Chavez fight when he stated last week that if Chavez prevails he could face Miguel Cotto next. Arum is also awaiting a decision from Manny Pacquiao about his fight plan with more speculation that Cotto could be the next opponent for Chavez.
This only adds fuel to the fire as to why Chavez is taking time to encounter Martinez. In the meantime, Arum may have no alternative because the WBC has mandated that after the Rubio fight, Chavez has to defend against Martinez. Arum said, ?Chavez will fight Martinez when he is ready. I don?t think Martinez is all that good.? Yes, Arum can offer his opinion. And Chavez could be avoiding Martinez, but in the end the WBC has made their mandate and the fight will eventually be on the calendar at some point this year?.
THROWING THE PUNCHES: Condolences to the family of longtime trainer Goody Petronelli. The longtime trainer passed away Sunday at the age of 88. He spent 70-years in the sport and is most know for being a trainer and co-manager of Marvelous Marvin Hagler?
Three-time champion Nonito Donaire is not looking ahead past Saturday when he opens up the HBO card before Chavez and Rubio at the Alamodome in San Antonio Texas. Donaire defends against former world champion Wilfredo Vasquez Jr. and, Arum, promoter of Donaire will not comment about an eventual Donaire mega fight at 127-pounds with Yuriorkis Gamboa?
Why are there constant reports that Cotto is set to face Pacquiao in June? It makes sense as Cotto, still not under contract with Top Rank needs a viable fight and a second one with Pacquiao is marketable and logical? Arum in the meantime would prefer a Pacquiao-Juan Manuel Marquez fourth fight, but Marquez is not looking for another fight with Pacquiao in Las Vegas. Or is it a protection plan for Pacquiao before he can finally get Floyd Mayweather Jr.?
