Mike Tyson's World Tour

[Bobtheicon]

Youngstown (US), Sept. 30 (AP): Even Mike Tyson doesn't know why people would pay to see him fight anymore.

"That's what I said," he said to that question on Thursday, drawing laughter at a news conference to announce "Mike Tyson's World Tour," in which he will fight in a series of four-round exhibitions.

"I think I'm useless to society. I don't think I'm worthy of the people who come out to see me, but they do."

The former heavyweight champ appeared calm and relaxed, smiling and joking about the shape he's in physically, mentally and financially.

But he said he was nervous to be back in front of an audience and in inner turmoil, his recent years marked by embarrassing fights - inside and out of the ring - and staggering debt.

"The money I make here is not going to help any of my bills really from a tremendous standpoint," he said. "But I'm going to feel better about myself. I'm not going to be depressed."

The "baddest man on the planet" acknowledged he's in horrible shape and only capable of going three or four rounds.

So Tyson, who last fought in June 2005, losing to the unheralded Kevin McBride, will return to the ring October 20 at the 6,000-seat Chevrolet Centre in Youngstown against former sparring partner Corey "T-Rex" Sanders.

The 40-year-old Tyson had said he was finished with boxing after his bout with McBride, which he quit after six rounds.

The man who vowed to eat Lennox Lewis' children and bit off a piece of Evander Holyfield's ear seemed accepting of his current position and emphasised he's in no mood for a comeback.

"If I don't get out of these financial quagmires, there's a possibility I may have to be a punching bag for somebody," he said.

After the news conference, he said quietly, "I don't want to do that anymore. Everybody's saying, 'Mike, make a comeback.' I'm not going to do that.

"The best decision I ever made was to retire from boxing. Because I don't have any stress. I'm pretty simple. I like the person I am now more than I did. I don't like 'Iron Mike' - I like Mike Tyson."

Tyson lived in the Youngstown area during his heyday and said the tour will start there because he's still wanted and comfortable there.

"I love the rain," he remarked of the former steel town's typically dreary weather. "The rain to me is like sun to some people. It may sound pretty morbid. That's why I stayed here so long."

He recently trained in a makeshift ring at a Las Vegas hotel to help pay off his debt.

"I truly hate fighting," Tyson told The Associated Press in August. "I've got a bad taste in my mouth."

It was that experience though that made him realise people still want to see him.

His goal on the tour, he said, is to entertain people and to enjoy boxing for a change.

[Bobtheicon]

I'd like to see Butterbean kick his ass

[pwherr]

Originally Posted by Bobtheicon

I'd like to see Butterbean kick his ass

LOL

[pwherr]

The whole thing is sad.