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BOXING. TYSON, ANOTHER FARCE . Credibility, this is a topical word for today's boxing world. And all the more so if the burse to be won keeps on growing. And when this happens, one cannot do without involving a winning, and also controversial, athlete like Mike Tyson. The former heavyweight champion, after his well-known personal ups and downs, is once again trying to recover his image of real boxer. But all his attempts risk failing, and this is not always his fault. After having abandoned American rings and Don King, his ex promoter, Iron Mike is now looking for economic success and also prestige in Europe. Yet, his two first matches have turned out to be a clamorous bluff, mainly due to the inability of his rivals. If the match with Francis in London had only lasted some minutes, the mockery match of last Saturday in Glasgow with Lou Savarese even lasted only 38 seconds! At this point, even Tyson may not know how he can go on this way, with billionaire purses and great advance sales for matches that only last a few seconds. And indeed his reaction on the ring after lightning Savarese's knock-out demonstrates that the American champion, too, is well aware of how this situation can become dangerous for him. After the end of the match, Mike has kept on hitting his rival, also knocking down the referee who was trying to stop the fight. With this brutal behaviour Tyson certainly wanted to express his annoyance for the farce set up by Savarese, he had only slightly hit at the temple. It is not the first time in his career that the champion with his fury knocks down his rival soon after the initial gong. But the problem is that then, thanks to the myth of his invincibility, a hail of blows could also go unnoticed. Now the situation has completely changed. The unpleasant experiences of the past have contributed to creating a nerve-racking interest around Mike. Indeed, everything he does is accurately analysed and exaggerated and all the news concerning his life, even the trifles, is almost daily reported by the mass media. The former champion's rehabilitation before his public could only be achieved on the ring, in his natural habitat, where he has built up his boundless ego. Maybe with an epic match that could give back to him his good reputation and admiration for his brutal strength, and not certainly with mockery matches like the last ones. His disorderly life and these fixed matches are instead contributing to Tyson's decline, with lesser and lesser people trusting him. Thus, once he has finished to rake up money in Europe (it seems that Milan, too, intends to organize a match with Tyson), who will offer him some other chance?  Another fact after the match with Savarese also reveals that Iron Mike is aware of this delicate situation. Soon after Savarese's KO, Tyson has violently attacked Lennox Lewis, the current heavyweight champion, saying he would like to challenge him as soon as possible. Tyson's chance to recover his image is also linked to the emphasis around this hypothetical big match. Yet, Mike himself knows that this is a long-term goal, as factions within the boxing world prevent the two boxers from challenging each other, also due to stupid reasons. Two competing TV networks that have the exclusive broadcasting rights for the matches represent the main obstacle.  And unless a huge purse is offered as a prize, or some renunciation is made in the name of money, neither of the two TV networks will likely set up what could be a memorable match for everybody. But history teaches that sometimes it is more profitable to fuel a myth rather than trying to exploit it.  Paolo Ghisoni

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