LOUISVILLE, Kentucky, 21 July 2003 — Former world heavyweight champion Mike Tyson spent several hours here with local boxing promotors to discuss the possibility of a fight in November, a local paper reported yesterday.
“There is nothing at this point to report one way or another. When that (a fight agreement) happens, or if it happens, then we’ll make an announcement,” boxing promoter Dennis Henry told The Courier-Journal. According to sources close to the boxer, Tyson already has a Kentucky state boxing license for a fight which may take place in the town’s Freedom Hall.
Henry said that Tyson, also know as Iron Mike, asked to visit the Muhammad Ali Center in the city where the boxing legend was born. Tyson also asked to visit a poor area of Louisville but the trip, escorted by two police cars, was cut short because the boxer was overwhelmed by fans.
“He wanted to get a feel for the place. We were just going to drive through but Mike decided he wanted to get out. He was swarmed by fans. Unbelievable,” Henry said. Tyson has not fought since Feb. 22 when he knocked out compatriot Clifford Etienne in 49 seconds. Since then, the controversial boxer has had several run-ins with the police. He is due to appear in a New York court on July 24 following a brawl he was involved in last month.
Boxer Rone Dies in the Ring
In Washington, heavyweight Brad Rone died in the ring during a match against fellow American Billy Zumbrun at Cedar City, Utah, the Deseret News reported yesterday.
Rone took a hit five seconds before the bell at the end of the first round on Friday. He collapsed ten seconds later and was taken to the Valley View medical center where he was pronounced dead.
His body has been taken to Salt Lake City, Utah, for an autopsy. According to a friend of the deceased, Rone had accepted the fight in order to get the funds together to pay his mother’s funeral expenses, who died at the start of the week.
