WHEN MIKE TYSON came along in 1985, the heavyweight division was waiting, almost desperately, for his arrival.
Larry Holmes ? much like the Klitschko brothers ? was an unappreciated leader apparently approaching the end of his career. Several other 80s pretenders were spending more time in fast food joints and drug dens than boxing gyms.
Along came Tyson.
He cleaned out the division and made the world interested again. Undoubtedly, the division would thrive if that ring menace could be reincarnated today.
But Steve Lott, long-time friend and member of Tyson?s early management team, does not believe another heavyweight will come along who is capable of reinvigorating the weight class.
?It will be unlikely that there will ever be another exciting heavyweight,? he said. ?In the United States all the big, young kids are playing football, baseball or basketball. The ones who could not make it in those leagues then try boxing. But, if they could not make it in those sports they are not going to make it in boxing. In Europe there is no baseball, football or basketball so many excellent big athletes go into boxing. But it is not their fault they are not exciting. Their trainers teach them a very boring amateur style of hit and move that puts everyone to sleep.?
Thankfully broadcasting veteran Larry Merchant has a slightly more optimistic view.
?Given the long history and tradition of boxing someone will emerge,? opined the 82-year-old. ?But when, I don?t have any idea. I don?t know if he?s been born yet or if he?s ready to emerge. Eventually, someone will come along.?
Tyson?s dazzling arrival was thrilling and made the sporting media glance lovingly at boxing again. But that focus of attention soon became like looking into the sun. After he lost the heavyweight title in 1990 to Buster Douglas, Tyson?s world – already fragile due the pressures of fame ? collapsed around him. He was convicted of rape in 1992 before a comeback resulted in numerous ring crimes and deplorable actions.
The demise, that elongated and drug-fuelled collapse, is just as memorable as the glory days. That Tyson is still around today, performing on stage and fighting his demons, is a surprise to many.
While history dictates ? as Merchant points out ? that we will one day have another saviour to treasure, it also promises that the thrills and spills will conclude ingloriously. Today, Tyson is judged as a package, faults and misdemeanours included.
?I don?t know that you can take them away,? Merchant says when asked to evaluate ‘Iron Mike’ without the controversies. ?They are a part of who he was. He was a kind of larger than life cultural marker and celebrity and a lot of people love him and admire him for trying to cope with his demons and that?s a continuing amazement to me.?
Look into the distance over the current landscape and you?ll see the gargantuan outlines of Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder getting closer. You?ll also spot Olympic gold medallist Anthony Joshua pelting towards the fore. The division looks a lot brighter than it did a few years ago, but there is no need to put on the shades.
And perhaps we should be thankful for that.
Get this week?s Boxing News ? established in 1909 ? for more insight into the life and times of Mike Tyson from Larry Merchant, Steve Lott, Tris Dixon, and Matt Christie.
Available to download on Tuesday January 7 and on the newsstand from Thursday January 9.
