Former undisputed world heavyweight champion Mike Tyson kick off his 'Four Round Exhibition World Tour' at the Chevrolet Centre in Youngstown, Ohio on October 20.----Nice to see Youngstown will get some publicity for once, although again its for a washed up idiot named Mike Tyson.

 

On the first leg of the tour Tyson, 50-6-(44), will face veteran Cory'T Rex' Sanders in the four round exhibition bout.

 

So why has the former baddest man on the planet decided to take part in four round exhibition bouts after being out of the ring for so long?

 

"I was a little overweight, smoking too much, and I started to get in shape," said Tyson. "I was training in Las Vegas and 2000 people a day were there. Why not do an exhibition? Sterling (McPherson,promoter) suggested we do a world tour."

 

Tyson's financial problems have been well documented and one could be forgiven for thinking he has signed for this world tour to settle his debts but Tyson insists he has other motivations.

 

"The money I make (from this) isn't going to help my bills, but I'll feel better and won't be depressed," said Tyson.

 

"Once I started training, the stress left. I can't believe I'm not slurring, I'm not angry. Life's lessons are priceless. I'm happy to be here."

 

"I'm truly nervous. I haven't done this for a while."

 

"I hate the business of boxing. When I said I hated boxing I meant getting to run and giving it the 100-percent you need."

 

"I'm in better shape than I anticipated, I'll never be in the shape like I was young."

 

"I'm extremely nervous right now."

 

The Ohio card also sees the return of former IBF lightweight champion Paul Spadafora, who faces an as yet unnamed opponent.

 

The 'Mike Tyson World Tour' will also travel to Europe, Asia and the Middle East and will be promoted by Sterling McPherson.

 

McPherson had the following to say about the first show in Ohio,and of course Mike Tyson.

 

"It's great to be back home. I grew up about 10 miles from here in Niles. This has been something we've been working on for some time. To put the tour together, it's taken time to mould it, and it'll get off the ground in Youngstown," said McPherson.

 

"We're thrilled, Mike's ready to go. He's here. I have to thank Darryl Francis and Jeff Fenech for bringing to Mr. Tyson (with the idea for a world tour). You're going to see a great show. Mike has given me this opportunity.We are still in negotiations with Paul Spadafora. We're almost there and I think it'll be there in a day or so."

 

"This tour isn't just going to be an undercard with guys knocking everybody out and then Mike Tyson. We are going to have a solid undercard with young fighters who want to be in good fights. That's why people put there money out."

 

"You're looking at an icon (Mike Tyson). He was the youngest man in history to win the heavyweight championship. Then he went onto annihilate people. He's the second coming of Joe Louis, quiet at press conferences when other fighters talked big. Mike's giving me the opportunity of a lifetime. This tour is all about him and the people getting an opportunity of a lifetime to see Mike Tyson for $25.00. That's what he (Tyson) wants to do because you supported him.

 

"This is a great step forward, starting the tour here. I was adamant about Youngstown and Mike supported me. Wherever we go it'll be up to Mike. I'll present all of the offers, all the economics, why we should go there, and Mike will make the call."

 

The first leg of "Mike Tyson's World Tour" in Youngstown will be broadcast live in North America on cable and satellite pay-per-view beginning at 10:30 PM/ET, 7:30 PM/PT. The event is being produced and distributed for Pay Per View by Queensbury Media and Integrated Sports and will be available in more than 50-million homes in North America via iN Demand, DirecTV & Dish Network in the USA, Viewer's Choice & Bell ExpressVu in Canada. The suggested retail price for the PPV telecast is only $29.95.

http://sports.yahoo.com/box/news?slug=ap-tysonstour&prov=ap&type=lgns

 

Tyson bores crowd in return to ring

 

 

By TOM WITHERS, AP Sports Writer

October 21, 2006

 

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (AP) -- Mike Tyson's return to boxing was no knockout. Not even close.

 

The former heavyweight champion and one-time baddest man alive opened his "World Tour" on Friday night with a ho-hum performance in a four-round exhibition against Corey "T-Rex" Sanders, a former sparring partner who outweighed Tyson by 50 pounds.