VIEWPOINT

From page A4

He did, of course, eventually lose it, in a hig upset, to Buster Douglas. He’d get it back a few years later, but the aura was kind of gone.

Then he had all of his legal troubles and personal issues and there was the whole deal where he bit Evander Holyfield’s ear… it got pretty bad.

I guess Lenox Lewis was the last guy I really kept up with, with maybe the exception of George Foreman’s improbable comeback and Middleweight Champion and Arkansas native Jermain Taylor.

Eventually, there got to be too many “meh” boxers, and by the time guys like Roy Jones Jr. and Manny Pacquiao came around to reinvigorate the sport, my interest had faded.

In recent years, European boxers have dominated the heavyweight scene, with the Klitschko brothers, Tyson Fury (great name) and Oleksandt Usyk on top.

But even at 58 years old, Tyson still fascinates the public, so his bout with Paul, 30 years Tyson’s junior, was a big ticket.

Unfortunately, it failed to deliver. Fought under very relaxed rules (2 minute rounds, only 8 rounds) and with more of a WWE atmosphere than a WBC one, the fight amouted to basically an extended sparring session. But you know what? If people are still willing to pay for that type of stuff, get paid, fellas!

And 58 or not, I would not want Tyson punching me…