Former world heavyweight champion Mike Tyson, declaring ”I’m a fool but I’m glad to be back,” confirmed on Tuesday that he will fight England’s Danny Williams in a comeback bout on July 30.
The bout will be the first of seven Tyson must fight over the next three years to clear $38-million in debts, having spent himself into bankruptcy with a rich lifestyle after making $300-million in the ring.
”I love to do what I do to pay all of my bills,” Tyson said. ”I am the most foolish person I know. I am a fool but I am glad to be back.”
Tyson has not fought since a 49-second knockout of fellow American Clifford Etienne on February 22, 2003. That brief bout was Tyson’s only fight in the past two years.
Tyson was knocked out in the eighth round by Britain’s Lennox Lewis in a heavyweight championship fight in June of 2002.
Last week, Tyson settled for $14-million to drop a $100-million lawsuit against Don King, who became his promoter after he served a three-year prison sentence for rape and guided his fortunes during a title comeback.
Tyson, who last year filed for bankruptcy, would use money from his fights to pay off debts he owes to creditors, the Internal Revenue Servive and his ex-wife Monica.
Tyson, 50-4 with 44 knockouts, became the youngest heavyweight champion in history with a second-round knockout of Trevor Berbick in September of 1986.
But he has not held a world title since 1996 when he was stopped by Evander Holyfield. Tyson bit Holyfield’s ears in a rematch, leading to a year’s banishment and later was jailed for assault.
”I have a chequered past, but this is the greatest country in the world,” Tyson said. ”I certainly deserve a second chance to sweep the past away.”
Tyson once vowed never to fight again for King. But the with wild-haired promoter backing heavyweight champions Chris Byrd, John Ruiz and Lamon Brewster, ex-champion Hasim Rahman and Poland’s Andrew Golota, the path to heavyweight gold might make King and Tyson allies again.
Tyson could also be attractive for World Boxing Council champion Vitali Klitschko of Ukraine or light heavyweight champion Antonio Tarver.
On the eve of his 38th birthday, Tyson indicated that he is physically fit but would leave it to observers to determine whether or not his mind and heart was back into boxing.
”I have been training for a few months,” Tyson said. ”You guys will be the judgement on whether I have the ‘Eye of the Tiger’ or not.”
Williams, who turns 31 on July 13, is 31-3 with 26 knockouts. He lost the British Commonwealth heavyweight title last January on a decision after six successful defences of the crown.
”There’s no pressure on me,” Williams said. ”Victory will change my life. To get to the top, I have to fight fighters like him.”
Laila Ali, the daughter of legendary Louisville native Muhammad Ali, will also fight on the Tyson card. – Sapa-AFP