Some
dates just stick with you. For me, 1865, or Dec 7th 1941,
and OJ. The World Wars, Korea, Vietnam, Gulf War. My High
School and College graduations. March Madness. Super Sunday.
The World Series. NBA playoffs. The Olympics. Traveling
abroad. The day Gerald McClellan "died" and Roy
Jones got ripped off at the Olympics. "Down goes
Frazier! Down goes Frazier! Down goes Frazier!".
"Do you believe in miracles??? YES!". The 1972
Gold Medal game between the USA and Soviet Union (thanks
Bill Walton). The first and many days of boot camp. Breaking
up with my many girlfriends. My first catch, ballgame with
my Dad. The good days, the bad ones. 1980(my Phillies and
Eagles going for a championship). Holidays.
Birthday's, wedding anniversary, a death of a loved one.
What about the death of a career, legend, and myth.
Recently on HBO's new fight series "Legendary Nights" (A
must watch for any boxing fan), this fight was highlighted.
"A shocking fight in Japan". The biggest upset in
boxing history, arguably in the history of sports. And I
could have been there, LIVE.
February 11th 1990 was such a day. I was in Japan as a
dependent as my father was stationed at Camp Zama. Mike
Tyson vs. James "Buster" Douglas at the Tokyo
Dome. Funny thing was, I could have gone to this fight. Our
MWR/USO had a bus going down there, plus FREE tickets. But
no. This was going to be a 1 rd blowout right? The only
Vegas hotel that had odds on it was the Hilton at 42-1. It
was supposed to be that much of a mismatch. However no one
told Douglas that.
Buster Douglas was a journeyman, who had had wins over Greg
Page, Tex Cobb, Oliver McCall, Trevor Berbick and Mike
Williams. He had lost to Jesse Ferguson and was on his way
to winning before being stopped by Tony Tucker in an IBF
title bid. He had just lost his mother. He had nothing to
lose, everything to gain. So February 11th was just another
day for everyone. Or so we thought. Believe it or not, I
loved Mike Tyson back then. I was a "Tysonite" to
say the least. The black trunks, no socks, and the white
towel. He beat people in the ring before getting in the
ring. Psychologically his opponent was beaten before the
first bell. Tyson was a menace. The triple combinations,
hard right, and the knockouts. The head movement, bobbing
and weaving. The lefts, rights, bodywork. I enjoyed the
Tyson truck commercials with Toyota trucks. The Tyson drink
commercials. These were aired in Japan. Tyson was a
marketing tool, before his troubles began. I think this may
have started when he got rid of everyone and associated
himself with Don King. Like Teddy Atlas says "Tyson was
a meteor". On this night Buster Douglas stood up to the
Bully and beat him.
Douglas was magical, at least for this night. I think he
could have given anyone a good fight. The way he boxed Mike
Tyson that night, was amazing. Inspired by his mother he
fought the fight of his life. Sure the long count in the 8th
round was disturbing (I counted to 15), but Douglas got up,
shook it off and went on to history. The image of Tyson
crawling on the floor, looking for his mouthpiece was
ironic. I think he was looking for his life, his career.
The phone rang. It was my boy, calling me to say Mike Tyson
had lost. I said "no, no way!!!" But it was true.
The unthinkable had happened. Tyson had lost, been stopped!
His granite chin was dented. He was a beaten man. His corner
was pathetic. Using a condom for enwall? They too thought
this would be a cakewalk. Aaron Snowell's corner work was
questionable to say the least. Recently he looked like a
fool in Tim Austin's corner as he yelled at Rafael Marquez.
The next round Austin was toast.
There would be no rematch. Tyson is still fighting, why I
don't know, other than for money (which he has said in the
past). Douglas didn’t fight for 6 years after getting
embarrassed by Evander Holyfield (he was eating at all the
fast food joints, and laid down, as his body jiggled like
jello). His comeback was short-lived. He is trying for an
entertainment career now. "The Buster Douglas" of
the 2000's was Haseem Rahman after losing to Lennox Lewis. I
often watch this tape. I close my eyes and think about how
great he really was. Or was he? He fought a lot of bums,
tomato cans, woulda beens, coulda beens and never was's.
Over the hills, and too green. He won fights before hand. By
intimidation and fear. I think to myself, how in the world a
fighter who everyone thought was the greatest ever lost to a
bum, a tomato can. I hear the excuses. He wasn't prepared,
not enough training, too much training. Personal and
personnel problems clouded him. This is Bull. Tyson was in
his prime. I do believe Douglas’ Mom had a lot to do with
this, because Douglas stood up to Tyson. The fight was over.
He jabbed and doubled up with wicked combos. Held when he
had to. A great fight plan.
People have accused me of hating Mike Tyson. I don't. How
can you hate someone when you don't even know him? I don't
hate anyone. I may dislike a few people, but that’s about
it. I hate what could have been with Mike. He could have
been the greatest, had he just stuck with his team (firing
Atlas was the worst mistake, as Tyson needed discipline not
babying that Cus gave him. (I didn't agree with the
"gun incident", but...). He should have not
involved himself with Don King. He could have minded his own
business, not met up with Robins Givens and Ruth Roper. If
he could have kept his "nose clean". The plan was
gym, then home, then fight, and back to gym-home-fight. This
all changed when Cus D'Amato, then Jimmy Jacobs died.
Woulda, shoulda, coulda. That’s the story of life, I
guess. Zigging instead of zagging, taking the wrong road,
perhaps the one with the least resistance. That's what makes
us humans, I guess.
I met Tyson at the Tszyu-Zab Judah fight. I was backstage,
and approached him while he was walking back to the locker
room following the stoppage. He was with his entourage. He
was short, stout like a pit bull. I extended my hand, and
with a scowl, he shook it.
I had touched history in a sense. The only question that
bothers me is what could have been. That's all. I don't wish
bad luck on my worst enemy, much less Mike Tyson. But he is
going down that road. I still think it will end badly for
Mike. Like his hero, Sonny Liston. We as fans are selfish.
We like to see 2 guys beat the hell out of each other (Ward-Gatti)
but will we be there when they are sucking their soup out of
a straw? Of course not. This all reminds me of Jerry and
Mike Quarry, who were too brave for their own good. Who had
"too good of a chin". The same Evander Holyfield
who is headed down that road. Ali. Greg Page. Gerald
McClellan. Makes me hate boxing when I think of these men
because some were avoidable.
Anyhow, here are The Champs Flurries: Ricky Hatton looked
good, but against whom? A shot, old Vince Phillips. I give
Hatton more credit, but I won't jump on the bandwagon. Not
yet. Until he beats Junior Witter then another legit
fighter. Till then....As far as this weekend goes, you gotta
like Marco Barrera over Kevin Kelley. Kelley like Vince is
old and shot. I know it seems like a lot like 2001(year of
the upsets) but, I think Barrera was
a bit too much for a guy that should have stayed
retired and behind the mike, where he does pretty well, in
my opinion. Looks like Kirk Johnson vs. Lennox Lewis with
possibly Tyson on the under card. So much for Vitali
Klitschko. Good match up. I like Johnson with the upset.
Lewis is old and inactive. Kirk can be slick. Anybody
miss Bobby Czyz? I don't.
Congrats to Syracuse. Everyone and their Mothers liked
Kansas. Again the old adage "public kills" is
alive and well. Like Kentucky who was bet down to odds of
1-3, everyone thought Kansas was a lock. So much for the
Suckramento Queens. The Lakers own them. Looks like a 4 peat
come June. The real capitol of California is in the
"city of angels". Is it me, or did MJ tarnish his
legacy? Kid Skills is catching up with ya, Mike. Wanna be
like Kobe.... The Expos in 1st place? Means a strike is
coming. Is there anything more exciting than the NHL
playoffs? The "coolest game on ice" is alive and
well. Can Tiger be stopped? Yes. Can't wait for football
season. My Eagles will win it all!!!
In closing I want to apologize for an article I wrote a
couple months back. After speaking to several people close
to me and people I respect, I went back and forth with this.
Some said do nothing, others said to apologize. Well here it
goes. If I offended anyone I deeply apologize. That was not
my intent. I'm not that kind of a person. I generalized and
shouldn’t have. Ironically I had written an apology, but
my computer froze up, and I lost my article. I later found
out that a lot of people had less than kind things to say
about me(worst part was I thought some of them were cool
with me, but looking back now, I cant blame them, but it
bothers me no one asked me what was up, before bashing me).
Like a kid, I said screw it...my bad..that wasn’t
the right thing to do...I hurt some people I go way back
with and whom I have a lot of respect for. I'm Sorry...to
everyone, but especially to Larry and Juan. I'll leave it at
that.
Forums are small communities that for the most part are
cool. I think the old CBS boxing forum (which I was a member
of) was the best. This was one of the best forums. Who could
forget moderator Jeff?! Wonder what he's up to, probably in
therapy after Rebs(the man of a 1000 handles) ruined him for
life..lol. People like Super J ( I didn’t know she was a girl. She was the first
girl I met who knew anything about boxing) At first I
didn’t even know she was a girl and I wish I would have
kept it that way. I am jealous that I don’t have a
"relationship" with her that others do. But I can
only blame myself for that. "Her knowledge is
stupendous, her style impregnable.
J. Rebs, Laz, Valdosta, Shant, Kevincarter, Derrida,
Cedres, Jamesgribbons,N20 Jones, Radiophonic, Knightforce (Enforcer)
and others I know I am forgetting...a good group of people.
The good ole days.
That's it fight fans! Keep your hands up and keep punching
for the stars! "I love you Mr. Bush" is what they
cry! It’s a shame it’s not the world or even our country
that is saying that. The war is over. Democracy rules (as
shown in the streets of Baghdad), and hopefully gas prices
will lower. I salute you, America and our brave allies. Job
well done. And a moment of silence for those that didn't
make it home. You gave the ultimate sacrifice. You will not
be forgotten.
Ron Champ Miller
Ron
Champ Miller ron |
