Prizefighter Fan Iron Mike
Predicts Williams vs. Harrison Final
September 21, 2009 Large
Photo of Mike Tyson
(SEPT 21) FORMER undisputed heavyweight
world champion Mike Tyson admits he has turned into a softie.
One-time hell-raiser Tyson, once known as the ‘Baddest Man on the
Planet’, believes he is now a reformed, family man. "As far
as my personal life goes, everything’s changed,” said Tyson. “I have an
eight-month-old baby and a new wife - I'm like Mr Mom now.
“That's good for me and what I need. I used to be the kind of guy that
would go out to get some milk and not come home for three days."
Tyson, 43, recently performed the draw in Las Vegas for Prizefighter
Heavyweights III, Barry Hearn’s eight-man, one-night tournament at
London’s ExCel on October 2.
The draw set up a potential rematch between British Champion Danny
Williams and former Olympic gold medalist Audley Harrison.
“That would be one hell of final. Danny is great guy and a great
fighter,” said Tyson, who lost to Williams in 2004.
“I don't know if Audley is content with his gold medal. It's one hell of
an achievement but professional boxing is so different.
“Audley has tons of ability and style, but style doesn't win fights,
it's the moral behind the fight.
"Prizefighter is exactly what the fans want to see - all out action, but
it's going to take a special kind of fighter to win it.
“You have to get off to a fast start, score quickly but also stay
composed.
“It was always my aim to get off to a fast start and throw as many
punches as possible - Prizefighter would’ve been perfect for me!
“All the contenders are warriors and know how to fight but there can
only be one champion.”
‘Iron Mike’ Tyson, the youngest man to win the WBC, WBA and IBF world
heavyweight titles, won 50 of his 58 professional fights.
He likes the Prizefighter concept where each fight lasting a maximum of
three rounds and the idea of the underdog shocking the favourite.
Tyson added: “When I was 15 I remember travelling to Providence for a
fight. It was a long ride for me and I was fighting this older, more
experienced guy - he was 22 and everyone thought he was 'the man'.
“The place was packed and I was making a name for myself - but was just
a kid.
“It was such a tough, great fight. I never stopped, I fought my heart
out that night.
“The fight was too close to call and although they gave it to the
hometown fighter it was the greatest fight of my life.
“I cried all the way home to Catskill. When I got home Cus D'Amato asked
me why I was so upset.
“He told me how proud he was that I never caved in that night and kept
fighting to the end. I will never forget that night.”
Prizefighter Heavyweights III tickets cost £40 and £80 and are available
from See Tickets on 0871 220 0260, seetickets.com or from Matchroom
Sport on 01277 359900.
NOTES ABOUT PRIZEFIGHTER
- Eight competitors in the same weight fight in four quarter-finals, two
semi-finals and the final with all the action happening in one exciting
night of boxing.
- Each contest lasts a maximum of three rounds with standard boxing
rules applied.
- If there has not been a knockout or stoppage then the winner will be
decided by three scoring judges at ringside.
- The winner of Prizefighter – Heavyweights III will receive £32,000,
the runner-up gets £16,000, losing semi-finalists receive £8,000 and
beaten quarter-finalists collect £4,000. The total prize fund is £80,000
- £11,000 more than for previous Prizefighter tournaments.
- A draw will be held before the event to find out which boxers will
fight each other in the four quarter-finals.
- This will be the eighth Prizefighter competition. The first –
Heavyweights I – was held in April 2008. The others staged were
Heavyweights II (September), Welterweights (October), Middleweights
(November), Light-heavyweights (February), Lightweights (March) and
Cruiserweights (May)
- The full list of competitors is Carl Baker (Sheffield), Coleman
Barrett (Galway, Ireland), Scott Belshaw (Lisburn, Northern Ireland),
Scott Gammer (Pembroke Dock, Wales), Audley Harrison (London /
California), Danny Hughes (Sunderland), Michael Sprott (Reading) and
Danny Williams (Brixton). Source/PR
