FORMER undisputed heavyweight champion of the world, ‘Iron’ Mike Tyson, wowed fans at the Lion Quays Hotel, near Oswestry on Sunday night.
The iconic fighter was meeting boxing fans in a dinner event put together by local promoter, Mike Williams.
And the ‘Baddest Man on the Planet’, who became the first man ever to hold the WBA, WBC, and IBF world titles simultaneously at just 20 years of age, gave the thrilled audience an insight into his career both in and out of the ring.
“It’s just a wonderful time,” said Tyson, “This is the best show I’ve done so far.
“I’ve been coming to this part of the world for over 20 years, I’m just happy to be involved,” he added.
The American boxer took time out to pose with fans attending the event, and was joined at his table by fellow heaveyweight world champions, Tim Witherspoon and Tony Tucker, as well as former cruiserweight world champ, Johnny Nelson.
In the spotlight
The event was part of a UK tour put together by Williams, who has succesfully managed to bring boxing greats, Sugar Ray Robinson, Joe Calzaghe and Ricky Hatton to the area in recent years, and the appearance of Tyson looks set to be followed by Tim Witherspoon’s own showing at the Liquid night club in Wrexham on May 16.
But it was Tyson who stood in the spotlight with fans hanging on his every word as he made recollections from his experiences in the sport, which included victories over Larry Holmes, Frank Bruno and Evander Holyfield.
“This is the 21st century so we can’t say that we were better (than the heavyweight division today). Of course we say that we were more exciting fighters than the heavyweight division now, but we don’t know if we were better.
“I wasn’t a tall heavyweight but I was a strong heavyweight in a different era. The new era has changed and people are now getting bigger and stronger,” he added.
And Tyson relayed an important message through the Advertizer for today’s budding young boxers, encouraging them to work at school, and to make every effort to train in pursuit of their goal.
“Have a good trainer, and listen to them implicitly and trust them. It has to be your lifestyle. If you live in a high rise building always run up the stairs, or run home from school.
“The guys who were good at school were known to handle the pressure better. It’s school that will prepare you for life, one way or another,” Mike said.
Anyone interested in purchasing tickets for the Tim Witherspoon event on May 16, can contact the Dragon Promotions team on 01691 774356.