Sharkie's Week In Boxing: Tyson-Nielsen / Calzaghe-McIntire

By Frank Gonzalez

14.10.01 - In all the years I been watching sports, I never heard the National Anthem sung so beautifully as this Saturday on Showtime. By a woman named Anita something of Denmark. What a voice.

Why is it that every time I see a Mike Tyson fight I always feel ripped off? This wasn't even Pay-Per-View. Mike Tyson (48-3-2 N.C.- 42 KO's) vs. Brian Neilson (62-1-0-43 KO's) was a better match up than I expected. I don't know if that says much for Tyson, or a lot for Neilson. I figured Tyson would knock him out in the first round. As awkward as he was, Neilson came to fight. At least that is what it looked like.

Everyone was making a fuss about Tyson's coming in at close to 240 pounds, heavier than he's ever come to a fight. It was of no consequence. Neilson weighed in at about 260 pounds at 6' 3". I didn't think Tyson, (who stands at 5' 11'') looked fat, but I figured that as usual, he wouldn't be very well conditioned at 15 pounds above his usual fight weight. No one ever knows how much gas is in Tyson's tank since the low quality of opponents, which usually never go more than two or three rounds, hardly tests him.

Neilson, to his credit, showed a good 'chin' while taking a beating from Tyson, who scored big in every round. He was knocked down in the 3rd round, but got up and seemed unhurt. Before that round ended, Tyson punched Neilson in the solar plexus, a low blow. Neilson took about 45 seconds to recover. Neilson hugged and held at every opportunity, which made time go by and kept him in the fight. I wondered if Tyson lost some of him famous punching power, as he couldn't knock the flabby and awkward Neilson out.

I was annoyed by Neilson's lack of offense, but his cagey defense kept him in the fight until he quit due to a cut over his right eye at the start of the 7th round. Just when I was starting to think maybe he had a strategy to wear Tyson out, take him into the late rounds, and then try to win against a tired out Tyson, he quit. I secretly wondered if this wasn't part of the script.

I was not too impressed with this fight. It was a low quality product. The referee Steve Smoger, who reffed the Hopkins vs. Trinidad fight recently, was able to keep the action clean for the most part.

Seems like wherever Tyson goes, Bobby Cyz goes. Cyz was there to 'suck up' to Mike in every imaginable way. After the fight, Cyz showed the clip of Tyson knocking Neilson down over and over. Cyz is shameless in his 'brown nosing.'

The classless Jim Grey was there to do the post fight interviews. He was seemingly rude to Neilson, who he spoke English to, expecting the Dane to fluidly understand. He seemed impatient when Neilson seemed to only half understand his questions, and then thanked Neilson dismissingly. He asked the 'tough' questions to Tyson. Who would he fight next, how far is he from championship form, etc. Tyson said he needs another two easy fights before taking on any major contenders. At the pace Tyson fights these days, he should be ready for a real fight in about three years. Tyson has not fought since last October in 2000, when he TKO'd perennial quitter Andrew Golota.

On the under card, we got to see Joe Calzaghe (31-0-0-26 KO's) take on unknown American fighter Will McIntire in an obvious mismatch. Calzaghe seemed to be sparring with a live punching bag in this terrible match up. I think Calzaghe is a good fighter, but fighting soup can opponents is no way to exhibit his skills and be taken seriously.

Calzaghe did all the fighting, McIntire mostly just stood there getting walloped until after being knocked down twice in the 3rd round, the ref finally stopped the massacre. My advice to Calzaghe: Only fight ranked quality opponents or you'll lose credibility. My advice to McIntire; A career change is a good idea. Try a paper route. I hear it builds character.

During the post fight interviews, Calzaghe called out Roy Jones Jr. and also Bernard Hopkins. He says he wants Roy particularly. Calzaghe is a come forward style fighter. He hits hard and often. I have not seen him tested in the three or four fights I've seen him in. I think he would be an interesting match up for Jones. But these days Jones talks more than he fights. I can't imagine Roy taking a fight with a guy who is that aggressive. Roy likes the safe fights that make him look like a genius in the ring. I would love to see him look as good fighting Calzaghe, or any quality fighter for that matter.

On Friday Night fights on ESPN 2, I got to see Ronald "Winky" Wright (41-3-0-24 KO's) take on Robert Frazier (23-4-2-13 KO's) in what I thought was a total shut-out for Wright. Frazier was simply out classed and lost every round. Wright, a Southpaw, is a solid puncher with good fundamental Boxing skills, which includes a very good defense. Using a superior jab, Wright controlled the overmatched Frazier. A solid left knocked Frazier to the canvas in the 1st round, and I thought it would be a quick outing for Winky, but Frazier had some heart and never gave up. Winky Wright was simply too much for Frazier to handle. I look forward to seeing him take on Vargas again, who he lost a questionable decision to previously. Vargas is suspect, and I believe Winky could beat him if th! ey meet again. It would be a battle since both guys always come to fight. He says he wants to fight Shane Mosley, who was at the fight as a spectator who is thinking of moving up in weight to chase better money and more exciting fight prospects.

Post fight interviews are great soapboxes for fighters to call out the top names in the sport, but on the real side, we all know its money and politics that make the fights ever materialize. I believe it's good business to make good fights, because a bigger audience means more money. Promoters think fight fans will buy whatever they sell, even if it's garbage. Think how much more money they would make if they could quadruple their audience with better match ups.

Until next time, enjoy all your favorite sports.

Sharkie