THE colorful and controversial Mike Tyson will attend the World Boxing Council (WBC) Convention slated from November 11 to 17, Games and Amusement Board (GAB) chairman Eric Buhain confirmed yesterday.
Tyson, the former undisputed world heavyweight champion, expressed interest in participating in the country?s hosting of the convention.
Besides Tyson, also expected during the convention is Oscar ?Golden Boy? de la Hoya, boxing great Muhammad Ali, Mexican legend Antonio Barrera, Julio Cesar Chavez, Larry Holmes and Evander Holyfield.
According to Buhain, an e-mail was sent to the GAB office by Tyson?s camp signifying the boxer?s interest in attending the convention.
?We were surprised when we received his e-mail. We are very excited to have Mr. Tyson in the convention. We are coming out with details and information about the event that will fit on his itinerary,? said Buhain.
According to the GAB, Tyson and former world champions will be honored for their contributions to boxing.
Buhain believed Tyson?s presence will help push some of GAB?s proposals during the convention. One of the more important proposals the GAB would like the WBC to approve is the imposition of a drastic change in a boxer?s contract involving multiple managers.
?Mr. Tyson is a legend in his own right. Despite the negative image he created after serving jail terms and his involvement in several controversial fights, his presence will really boost our effort to create boxing awareness,? said Buhain.
?Tyson is living evidence that a boxer could be the victim of mismanagement and the lack of clear cut policies regarding the sharing of purses between boxers and supposed managers,? said Buhain.
Under de la Hoya productions, in coordination with GAB and ?WBC Cares,? 60 rounds of exhibition matches have been lined up to drumbeat the event and raise funds for the various projects and community services of the WBC through the leadership of Jose Sulaiman.
?Imagine Filipinos being able to watch Tyson live in the Philippines? This is a big thing for the convention and the sport,? said Buhain.
