Mike Tyson’s 2 winners: Floyd Mayweather, and his own show
The Kats! Bureau at this writing is the Jack Daniel’s Lounge at T-Mobile Arena, which sits at the back of Sections 5-6. The branding of this open tavern reminds of the classic line, “I knew my life was rough when the only people who would talk to me were Jack Daniel and Betty Ford.” I think Johnny Cash said that. If he didn’t, he should have.
The purpose of the visit: Floyd Mayweather and Conor McGregor are about to weigh in for Saturday night’s bout in this building, Thousands of fans have waded in to see these combatants step on the scales. Many McGregor devotees are fans are wearing Irish flags as capes. Some fans, presumably Mayweather’s, are wearing American flags. We should just allow everyone in the place to weigh in as they enter the arena, you know, in the spirit of the event. Just after we step through the security gate.
A man who is a genuine heavyweight, in and out of the ring, has interest in this bout. We’ll hear from him now:
Tyson’s back
Mike Tyson is recovering from a back surgery he had about six weeks ago. “I was in the gym and all of sudden there was this pain and I couldn’t walk,” the heavyweight said last week, describing his serious discomfort from sciatic nerve damage.
Tyson says Mayweather should win the fight easily. “‘McGregor is going to get killed in boxing. He is going to get knocked out because his opponent has been doing this since he was a baby.”
Far more interesting to Tyson is the atmosphere enveloping this fight.
“You know, everybody wants to see a circus, and I’ve seen a lot of ‘em,” he says. “But the fight will be interesting.”
Tyson is more than just a legend of the ring. He’s also a Strip headliner, with his “Undisputed Truth: Round 2” opening at Brad Garrett’s Comedy Club on Sept. 7. Produced by Adam Steck’s SPI Entertainment, the sequel to Tyson’s “Undisputed Truth” runs through November, with Tyson focusing on such monumental events as his bouts with Trevor Berbick, Larry Holmes and Donovan “Razor” Ruddock.
“The first show just took on a life of its own,” said Tyson, who co-wrote the sequel and the first show with his wife, Kiki. “We wrote what everyone wanted to hear. But the second show is going to be as much fun as the first.”
He also plans to revisit his two fights with Evander Holyfield, including his infamous “Bite Night” disqualification loss at the MGM Grand in 1997. Even though Tyson talked of that fight in his original show, which ran through last fall at Garrett’s clubhe says, “We’ll talk about Holyfield a little.”
Tyson said returning to footage of his younger self was, at times, stunning.
“It was a whole different life. It’s like back in the day, when I was talking about Razor Ruddock, ‘I wanna kiss your big lips.’ It’s like looking at me in the past and like who I was back then versus who I am now,” Tyson says. “I watch this stuff, and I don’t even know who that person is anymore.”
Al throws it down
Showtime announcer and broadcast legend Al Bernstein has offset skepticism the fight might turn farcical by posting a statement on his Facebook page: “We will follow our normal practice and present the #MayweatherMacGregor fight in a fair and informational way. That is what we do at @showtimeboxing regardless of who is fighting or any circumstances surrounding the fight.”
In mid-June, before the fight was even announced, Bernstein predicted its appeal. “These are the two most well-known personalities in combat sports. People have an appetite for this.”
Great line
In introducing Mayweather on his show on Aug. 16, Jimmy Kimmel said, “He’s 49-0 in the ring. His only loss was on ‘Dancing With the Stars.’”
Tempest on the mend
On the topic of … well, legendary Las Vegans, burlesque superstar Tempest Storm is recovering after breaking her hip in a fall in an Atlanta hotel suite last Saturday. Storm was in the city to promote her new documentary, aptly titled, “Tempest Storm,” when she tumbled in the bathroom and fractured her right hip.
Storm broke her left hip 2010 after taking a fall onstage at the Plaza Showroom during the Burlesque Hall of Fame legends show.
Storm has had surgery and is undergoing physical therapy in an Atlanta medical facility. She says, “I have never been in so much pain. When I do it, I do it right, that’s for sure.” The 89-year-old Storm (who happens to be a Leap Year baby) expects to return to Las Vegas in three or four weeks.
Ring of love
Las Vegas “love poet” Lee Mallory and musican/songwriter Lisa Mac are hosting a presentation titled “Love Wins Again,” a fundraiser for Opportunity Village today at 6 p.m. at Velveteen Rabbit, 1218. S. Main St. There is no cover charge.
Mallory countering tonight’s combat event with a love poem: “Rough and ready for Floyd. Made perfect weight for welterweight. Lovers know how to wait, patient and kind. Protecting my inside, right and left jabs. Quick blows! Of kisses.” Expect Mallory to go the distance.
John Katsilometes’ column runs daily in the A section. Contact him at jkatsilometes@reviewjournal.com. Follow @johnnykats on Twitter, @JohnnyKats1 on Instagram.
