Three steps to a title

Dean Juipe

Thursday, July 22, 2004 | 9:04 a.m.

Freddie Roach has designed a plan of attack for Mike Tyson, one that goes beyond his July 30 fight against Danny Williams in Louisville.

Roach, who trains the former heavyweight champion, is only marginally apprehensive about facing Williams. Bettors in Las Vegas agree, and Wednesday at the sports book at the Palms it was Tyson minus 700 and Williams plus 500 for their scheduled 10-round bout that will be available on pay-per-view for $45.

If Roach has his way, here's how the scenario will go: Tyson is pressed by Williams yet remains in control and wins by knockout late in the fight; he then goes on to fight former cruiserweight world champion Vassiliy Jirov, and, after that, World Boxing Council champion Vitali Klitschko.

It's a nice and compact schedule, plus one that will help Tyson get out from under a purported $38 million in debt.

"If he can get back to a certain level, he can beat those champions who are out there right now," Roach said during a conference call. "(Klitschko) is definitely who we're after."

First up is Williams, a 31-year-old journeyman of sorts from England who is 31-3 with 26 knockouts. A healthy 6-foot-3 and 260 pounds, Williams has been training for more than a month in Long Island, N.Y.

Yet he hardly throws a scare into Roach, who is training Tyson in Phoenix.

"He's a pretty good puncher and a strong guy," Roach said of Williams, "but he doesn't seem like maybe he's the bravest guy in the world."

Roach was referring to the fact Williams allowed a points advantage to dissipate during a January decision loss to Michael Sprott in London. He has also lost twice by knockout.

"He's dangerous a little bit," Roach said of Williams. "So we just can't walk in and start swinging."

Tyson, 38, is 50-4 with 43 KOs and satisfying Roach's training demands.

"He's in good shape and good spirits," Roach said. "He has rededicated himself and is working hard."

Roach admits there have been exceptions and days when Tyson was reluctant to train, but, for the most part, he has been working 12 rounds per day with the mitts and receiving six rounds per day of sparring. He said Tyson's back-spasm troubles have been "a little problem" while indicating it was nothing serious.

"Mike needs the rounds," Roach said, hoping the fight with Williams doesn't end prematurely. "You can't knock out everybody. I want Mike to go into this fight more scientific and behind the jab.

"He still likes to rely on his power (but) we are trying to curb that with repetitive training. It's a work in progress."

Williams has said Tyson is "40 percent" of the fighter he once was, while Roach puts the figure at "50 percent" and climbing.

"After three rounds, Mike is not going to fold," Roach said. "He still has great speed and power, but not like he did when he was 20, of course."

In other ways, Roach feels Tyson has changed for the better.

"I think he hit rock bottom (after defeating Clifford Etienne in 49 seconds in his most recent fight, 18 months ago)," Roach said. "There's been a huge change in attitude since then. He seems more at peace with himself."

Fewer distractions may play a role in that turnabout, as Tyson has supposedly trimmed his once excessive entourage to a handful.

But the bandwagon will be in position to add onlookers once again if Tyson gets past Williams as expected. If a fight against Jirov, who is 33-2, follows, Roach and Tyson will have gained momentum in a campaign that has Klitschko as its ultimate goal.