Columnist Dean Juipe: Stakes high as Tyson fights again

Dean Juipe

Wednesday, July 28, 2004 | 10:35 a.m.

Dean Juipe's column appears Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday. His boxing notebook appears Thursday. Reach him at juipe@lasvegassun.com or (702) 259-4084.

Contradictions not only come into play, they're prevalent as Mike Tyson prepares to fight Danny Williams Friday in Louisville.

For example: Is this really a rejuvenated Tyson or merely one who has been repackaged?

Is this a man who is in shape and focused as he purports, or one who simply has learned the art of evasiveness and disguise?

Is this the composed and calculated warrior he once was, or the giddy fellow he appeared to be the other night while being interviewed on ESPN?

Is this a fighter who says he wants and needs to go a few rounds, or one who can't physically afford to see the bout extended?

Is this a man who can realistically expect to fight seven times over the next two years as is tentatively planned, or is he one more suited to fighting once every two years as is the case leading into the bout against Williams?

And the topper: Is Tyson deserving of a chance to return to Las Vegas, or will his sometimes tiresome act be forever relegated to lesser boxing sites such as Biloxi, Memphis and Louisville?

As a result of these contradictions and their ancillary factors, the stakes are considerable as Tyson fights Williams in a 10-round, pay-per-view bout that will answer most if not all of these pertinent questions. Not only Tyson but a number of men -- promoters, TV executives and casino moguls among them -- stand to make millions if everything follows the prescribed blueprint.

Tyson would be welcomed back to Las Vegas but only if he proves to be a worthy fighter with at least a passable level of integrity. His curiosity value still exceptional, the latter is more important than the former.

What Tyson needs to do in his fight with Williams is simple: Stick to business, show his mettle, win, and don't act nuts.

But simplicity and adhering to the script have never been Tyson's forte, and, as a result, at 38 years old the former heavyweight champion is broke and fighting in the boondocks.

He comes into this fight with the usual level of uncertainty that attaches itself to one of his bouts. Can he keep himself in check?

For instance, Tyson has been agreeable and cordial during training camp while keeping his dark, moody side under wraps; he and his trainer, Freddie Roach, say he's in excellent shape, yet he looks a little thick around the middle; Roach says Tyson has been working hard, but the fact is he has skipped a few days and has nursed an aching back; a quick KO win is ideal in most settings, yet since Tyson has fought less than a full round during the past 18 months there's a desire in his camp to see the fight against Williams go at least five or six rounds; and his handlers don't dare make plans for him beyond Friday, as Tyson is neither fully assured of winning nor certain of fighting again.

In fact, even with the fight only two days away, those involved have fingers crossed that it will come off as scheduled. Tyson has pulled out of 12 fights in his career, has initiated brawls with opponents in press-conference settings and has been known to add a mural of a facial tattoo on the eve of a fight just to refamiliarize himself with the element of pain.

It's all part of being zany and unpredictable.

But if he can follow the script there's a fortune to be had. Boxing wants, if not needs, Tyson and it will pay accordingly if he can deliver on cue.