BOXING
John Rawling
There are few people who have trust in the life of Mike Tyson. One is “Crocodile”, and he lowered his dark glasses to look his questioner in the eye, facing down the impertinence of a fellow late-night drinker who dared inquire if the former world heavyweight champion was still a genuine fighter, or just a man picking up easy paydays in the autumn of his career.
“Crocodile”, also known as Steve Fitch, moved forward in his seat to emphasise his reply, with bystanders suddenly aware of his powerful physique. The smile had gone as Tyson’s old and loyal friend said quietly: “Yeah, he’s real. Sure, Mike’s 35, but he can still do it. He’s ready, and he will be heavyweight champion of the world again. Hopefully Lennox Lewis beats Hasim Rahman, because he wants Lewis. But, Lewis or not, Mike will be champion.”
In a top-floor penthouse suite of Copenhagen’s largest hotel, Tyson was resting; another day closer to the 52nd professional fight of a career which is now in its 17th year. There are not many who say he will lose to the lumbering Dane Brian Nielsen on Saturday night, and Tyson is sure his preparations have been thorough. More than that, for once he seems happy and relaxed.
Back home, in Las Vegas, Tyson believes ever more he is a marked man. A recent police investigation into yet another of his alleged late-night misdemeanours came to nothing and was deemed barely newsworthy by American media long since sated by lurid revelations. Nevertheless, Tyson was pleased to get away.
His British visits last year, when he beat Julius Francis in Manchester and Lou Savarese in Glasgow, provoked widespread objections. The home secretary was required to rule on whether a convicted rapist should be allowed in the country, women’s groups protested against his presence, and several newspapers, notably the Daily Record, were vitriolic in their criticism.
In complete contrast, the Danish media have taken an altogether more tolerant stand. Tyson and his entourage have been photographed shopping, as well as being reported and pictured while acquainting themselves with Copenhagen’s notoriously raunchy nightlife, but the tone has been of the “so what?” variety rather than one containing any veiled or actual condemnation.
“The Danish people are less judgmental than the British, and they see what Tyson has done and also that he has been punished. Now they are ready to let him get on with his life,” said Bettina Palle, the 36-year-old promoter who is confident her 14-fight bill, which also includes Joe Calzaghe, who will be defending his World Boxing Organisation world super-middleweight title against an American, Will McIntyre, will be regarded as the biggest boxing night in Danish history.
“I don’t know if Mike Tyson is sorry for what he has done, but we Danes tend to believe that it is not for us to judge. He has cooperated with the Danish press and has behaved well since he has been here. Everybody seems happy with him,” said Palle, whose father Mogens Palle is Nielsen’s manager.
Denmark’s apparent acceptance of Tyson undoubtedly has much to do with the popularity of his opponent. Nielsen may not quite be up with Brian Laudrup as a Danish national sporting hero, but he does not lag far behind. Twenty thousand or more spectators are expected in the Parken stadium, a football venue which mercifully will have its retractable roof closed to the elements.
At 36, Nielsen boasts only one defeat in 63 professional contests and claims never to have been knocked down as an amateur or pro. But it is his unlikely appearance and happy-go-lucky manner which have endeared him to the public more than a boxing style which might charitably be described as rugged.
Posters around the city advertise Mike Tyson v Super Brian, Nielsen’s surname an irrelevance, such is his fame. A giant bear of a man, he has wins against old stagers such as Larry Holmes and Tim Witherspoon on his record, but he has been skilfully steered past the true danger men in pursuit of the sport’s biggest prize.
“We have been trying to get Tyson for about four years,” said Palle. “Then at last I read on the internet that Tyson was interested, so the fight is on.
“The country is with Brian because he is so Danish. He doesn’t look fit, he looks like an ordinary country boy, he’s very open, speaks his mind and is very tough. Tyson is a star, but Brian has got such a big heart that he will never lie down. He will fight until he drops. People are writing him off, but this is his big chance and it will be a real fight for Tyson.”
Crocodile relaxed once more behind his dark glasses as Palle spoke. He had made his point and defended his friend’s reputation, but still added: “Mike has trained properly because he knows this will be a proper fight and he cannot afford to slip up at this stage of his career.”
This week Tyson’s training routine was held behind closed doors. No intrusion was allowed and no interviews offered as final preparations were made. Nothing will be risked that could set off boxing’s most famous short fuse or provoke the darker side of his nature.
Tyson’s recent fights have horrified purists but made for compulsive viewing. Disqualification and disgrace, fouls and obscenities have become the norm, but the feeling is growing in the tranquil atmosphere of Copenhagen, with an appreciative audience anticipated, that he may be about to show what remains of his real ability rather than reach for the self-destruct button yet again.
“The Danish people are less judgmental than the British, and they see what Tyson has done and also that he has been punished. Now they are ready to let him get on with his life,” said Bettina Palle, the 36-year-old promoter who is confident her 14-fight bill will be regarded as the biggest boxing night in Danish history.
“I don’t know if Mike Tyson is sorry for what he has done, but we Danes tend to believe that it is not for us to judge. He has cooperated with the Danish press and has behaved well since he has been in Denmark. Everybody seems happy with him,” said Palle, whose father Mogens Palle is Nielsen’s manager.
Denmark’s apparent acceptance of Tyson undoubtedly has much to do with the popularity of his opponent. Nielsen may not quite be up with soccer star Brian Laudrup as a Danish national sporting hero, but he does not lag far behind. Twenty thousand or more spectators are expected in the Parken stadium, a football venue that mercifully will have its retractable roof closed to the elements.
At 36, Nielsen boasts one defeat only in 63 professional contests and claims never to have been knocked down as an amateur or pro. But it is his unlikely appearance and happy-go-lucky manner that have endeared him to the public more than a boxing style that might charitably be described as rugged.
A giant bear of a man, he has wins against old stagers such as Larry Holmes and Tim Witherspoon on his record, but he has been skilfully steered past the true danger men in pursuit of the sport’s biggest prize.
“We have been trying to get Tyson for about four years,” said Palle. “Then at last I read on the Internet that Tyson was interested, so the fight is on.
“The country is with Brian because he is so Danish. He doesn’t look fit, he looks like an ordinary country boy, he’s very open, speaks his mind and is very tough. Tyson is a star, but Brian has got such a big heart that he will never lie down. He will fight until he drops. People are writing him off, but this is his big chance and it will be a real fight for Tyson.”
Crocodile relaxed once more behind his dark glasses as Palle spoke. He had made his point and defended his friend’s reputation, but still added: “Mike has trained properly because he knows this will be a proper fight and he cannot afford to slip up at this stage of his career.”
This week Tyson’s training routine was held behind closed doors. No intrusion was allowed and no interviews offered as final preparations were made. Nothing will be risked that could set off boxing’s most famous short fuse or provoke the darker side of his nature.
Tyson’s recent fights have horrified purists but made for compulsive viewing. Disqualification and disgrace, fouls and obscenities have become the norm, but the feeling is growing in the tranquil atmosphere of Copenhagen, with an appreciative audience anticipated, that he may show what remains of his real ability.