By Frank Lotierzo
What if Mike Tyson knocks out Kevin McBride tonight in one or two rounds. Where does Tyson go and how should he follow up his first win in 28 months? We know what he can't do, wait another 11 months before fighting again. Tyson is now fighting to payoff his IRS debt first and to possibly challenge one more time for the title second. The window of opportunity for him to achieve both feats isn't shut completely, but hardly any air is capable of seeping through.
Tyson has fought less than five rounds since being stopped by Lennox Lewis in June of 2002. Obviously he knows that fighting once a year won't come close to getting it done. In his last fight this past July versus British heavyweight Danny Williams, he was stopped in the fourth round. By losing to Williams, Tyson set his timetable back a year further, a year he didn't have to squander.
Against Williams, Tyson looked pretty close to the Tyson of the late 1980s in the early going. Despite losing the fight, Tyson showed that he maintained his power and hand speed more than what could be expected from a part-time fighter. During the first two rounds he had Williams hurt and on the verge of going down and out. Somehow Williams fought with Holyfield courage against Tyson, something he never exhibited before in any previous fight. However, he was definitely helped by Tyson's inactivity and the fact that he tired by the minute after the second round. Tyson's lack of stamina opened the window for Williams to pounce on once Tyson began fighting just to survive. Ultimately, Williams overcame a spent Tyson who had no defense and couldn't defend himself as he started to resemble a sitting duck.
Had Mike Tyson been able to stay on top of Williams being able to unload with both hands, maybe he would've finished him and William wouldn't have been able to jump on weary Tyson like he eventually did. I cannot not nor can anyone else say how the fight might have turned out if Tyson would've been capable of maintaing a high work-rate and punch output. But you'd have to like his chances a lot better.
After his fight with Kevin McBride tonight, (I am assuming he'll win, if he doesn't he should never fight again) Tyson should adopt the George Foreman act/comeback strategy and try to fight every other month on ESPN2 or Foxsports. His opponents should be fighters who cannot punch, but have a good chin capable of forcing him to go some rounds. That's what Tyson needs to think about doing if he's even thinking about another big fight in his career.
Tyson being a swarmer, needs to stay active and get rid of the years of rust built up by fighting less than five complete rounds in the last three years. Timing and distance is everything for Tyson. His short arms make it paramount that he gets inside because he's not going to beat anybody on the outside. But to get rid of the rust he has to fight. The opponents don't have to be big names at this stage of his career. In reality, Tyson's career and legacy was crafted around him not taking on the best. At 39, he can't be criticized as long as he stays active and wins.
I haven't a doubt Tyson fighting on cable TV would draw huge numbers. By Tyson taking a little less money he can reinvent himself like Foreman did beginning 1987. Actually he'll being accomplishing a few things in the process. Simply because he's Mike Tyson, even bouts against journeymen will draw plenty of coverage and attention surely to make the news. At the same time he'll be getting in shape and sharpening what's left of his diminished skill. Tyson can also be a charmer like Foreman when he wants to. All he has to do is not take himself seriously and crack a couple ear biting jokes and things like that. Pretty soon he'll be the viewed as a good guy who's just trying to straighten himself out.
If Tyson defeats Kevin McBride, he should implement the Foreman comeback strategy.
