On Friday afternoon, living legend and former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson was spotted inside of the Bellagio Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada for the first day of the WBC?s Pension Fund auction.
Speaking with various members of the media, an affable Tyson opened up on several subjects, including his recent endeavors, the underwhelming state of the heavyweight division, and today?s crop of prizefighters. Without speaking too dismissively, you can tell that Tyson has a preference for how boxing was during his time at the top.
?The state of boxing is more theatrical,? Tyson said when asked about today?s landscape. ?When I was fighting there were more, in-your-face, hardcore fighters that really wanted to hurt people. It doesn?t sound pretty, but that?s really what we want to see. We want to see guys who are really determined to hurt one another. That?s what makes great fights.?
When asked if there were any pugilists who he had been keeping an eye on, Tyson mentioned eight-division Manny Pacquiao and IBF/WBO junior featherweight champion Nonito Donaire as two stars he likes to watch.
Tyson wasn?t able to offer a definitive prediction on Pacquiao?s upcoming fourth battle with Juan Manuel Marquez, set to go down on December 8th at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, and seemed more shocked that they are tangling again than anything else.
?That?s going to be a pretty interesting fight,? Tyson said. ?I?m going to watch that fight. It?s going to be tough for Pacquiao; it?s a tough fight for him. I can?t believe he?s fighting that guy again.?
As for the 29-year old Donaire, Tyson?s affinity for the Fil-Am star seems to come from both his antics in and out of the ring.
?He?s a pretty interesting guy. He?s a rapper as well, have you seen him before his fights? But he can fight as well, so he can back it up. I just think he has an awesome fighting spirit,? stated Tyson.
Donaire is getting ready for an October 13th meeting with former champion Toshiaki Nishioka in an HBO-televised duel that will be held at the Home Depot Center in Carson, California.
