Columnist Steve Carp: Tyson finds himself at a crossroad

Steve Carp

Thursday, June 26, 1997 | 11:48 a.m.

MIKE TYSON probably won't agree with the premise. Certainly, his gaggle of lackeys won't. But his career has reached a crossroad.

If he comes up short Saturday night in his WBA heavyweight title rematch against Evander Holyfield, there will be much contemplating at Tyson's Tomiyasu Lane mansion about what the future holds.

But first, one of the most intriguing sports figures of our generation will be asked to answer lots of questions when he steps into the ring at the MGM Grand Garden.

Can Tyson adjust his game from the first fight? Have his boxing skills totally eroded? Does the fire still burn in his belly? Can he put it all together against a man who doesn't fear him in the least and has held the upper hand?

It's why 16,331 will be on hand and millions more around the world will be watching on television, to see what those answers are.

Tyson says he's in tremendous shape, that he's fine mentally. And judging by his demeanor in his few public appearances this week, he's his usual surly self. That's probably a good sign for those willing to wager that Tyson, a 2-to-1 favorite, will avenge last November's loss to Holyfield.

The cut above his left eye which forced the postponement of the original May 3 date has healed. It did nothing to hurt the promotion or the preparation. Holyfield appears to be in fine fettle. The layoff didn't bother him.

But we won't know until Tyson gets into the ring Saturday what he really has left.

One thing's certain. He can't fight Holyfield the same way and expect to win. Holyfield wasn't bullied the first time and he outboxed and outslugged Tyson.

The general consensus is for Tyson to win the rematch, he'll have to rely on his boxing skills, skills he hasn't been required to use since his win over Razor Ruddock six years ago to the day he meets Holyfield again.

How much have those skills eroded since 1991? How much did the combination of age, turmoil, incarceration and a lack of quality opponents do to Tyson's ability to move and jab?

Bringing veteran trainer Richie Giachetti back into the Tyson camp is a big plus. But what if come Saturday Tyson decides to tune out what Giachetti says to him?

I believe Tyson still has the will to win. I believe he'll give it his very best effort come Saturday. His personal pride is at stake and no competitor wants to have his desire or heart challenged.

If Tyson had lost the will to fight, he would have packed it in by now and would have snubbed his nose at everyone -- the MGM, Don King, the alphabet soup sanctioning bodies, anyone with a vested interest.

But you get the sense he still has something to prove to himself, that he wants to shut up his doubters and squelch his tormentors.

Whether it's good enough to even the score with Holyfield remains to be seen. And that's why we'll show up Saturday -- to find out just where Tyson stands in what has been one of the most enigmatic sporting careers you'll ever see.