Inside the Ropes: Once feared, Mike Tyson is now a legacy for hire

Each week, Steve Wellings — a man with over 20 years' experience covering boxing for various publications and current online editor of Boxing News — will be drilling down on some of the boxing world's biggest topics via our new column, Inside the Ropes.

In the lead-up to their blockbuster Netflix event last Friday evening, both Jake Paul and Mike Tyson had plenty to say. During one of the many pre-fight promos, Tyson uttered the line that he was a natural killer and Paul was merely a manufactured one.

Tyson had many monikers during his time in the limelight. He was once lauded as the “Baddest Man on the Planet”. On Friday evening, after about five or six rounds of lumbering around the ring, trying to hunt down Paul, he resembled the saddest man on the planet.

Now greyed and saggy, this was the same cold-cut killer who, once upon a time, took nonsense from no one. Back in 2003, Tyson sat alongside his former promoter, Don King, on an aircraft financed by his own blood, sweat and tears. Tyson said nothing as the verbose, shock-haired promoter went off on one of his usual rants. Up to his neck in debt and stewing with contempt, the millions had run out, and Mike’s patience was about to follow.

Feared for his explosive punch power, extreme volatility and unpredictable nature, after suffering some damaging defeats, partaking in a string of ring crimes and increasing financial woes, in 1998, Tyson sued his promoter for $100 million. Mike alleged that King had defrauded him during their relationship and helped himself to a sizeable portion of his earnings.

Long before any of that, Cus D’Amato’s death left a hole in the Tyson armoury. King had found a way into the lucrative Tyson business and set about promoting some of his most high-profile contests. The money was flowing in but disappearing just as quickly. Tyson was always a lavish spender, but still…

Mike spotted a large chunk of his earnings ending up somewhere else—in Don King’s bank account. Hidden fees, overcharged services, and King’s family members appointed to specious roles had drained the account.

Fast-forward five years to that drug-fuelled plane journey and King’s incessant chatter had inflamed Tyson’s distrust as he pondered his lost fortune. Jumping into the promoter’s plush Rolls Royce, they were merrily cruising along the highway when Tyson’s patience snapped and the feud turned physical.

Exploding from the back seat with kicks to the chair and some sideward swings at Don, a few seconds later, Tyson found himself ditched at the side of the road and escorted to safety by a starstruck police officer more interested in Tyson’s fame and reputation than the drugs he was carrying.

Tyson pictured with his former promoter, Don King. (Photo credit: Alamy Images)

Tyson would later receive $14 million in settlements. A far cry from the original amount, but validation that he had been hustled by the veteran huckster. King is still promoting heavyweights to this day, albeit in failing health. Tyson isn’t in the greatest shape either, despite engaging in 16 minutes of fisticuffs almost a week ago.

Peak Tyson would’ve spewed up the garrulous YouTuber and spat him out in one go. Even the version that got stuck into Don King or lobbed water at him at a press conference years later still carried mean intentions.

Jake Paul is indeed a manufactured killer, and last Friday evening, Mike Tyson became the latest component in the manufacturing process.

'Zurdo' Ramirez defeats CBS and takes his mantra 

Just a few hours after Paul and Tyson did their thing, Gilberto ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez and Chris Billam-Smith got down to real business over 12 rounds in Saudi. Quite how Billam-Smith managed to last the full distance is anybody’s guess. Perhaps his immense heart, fitness and the gentle guidance of Shane McGuigan were at play.

Afterwards, Billam-Smith joked that they often use his initials ‘CBS’ as the mantra: Consistency Builds Success. This time, Ramirez’s consistency with the left hand and constant ability to slip off, turn and catch Chris napping made all the difference.

The judges’ scorecards came in at 116-112 (twice) and 116-113 all in favour of the Mexican. In truth, they looked a little closer than the contest felt in real time. Billam-Smith has lost his world title and needs a good rest. Ramirez is now a unified champ and will look to unify further with IBF holder Jai Opetaia waiting in the wings.

Betting portion

Aside from a Harlem Eubank fight on Friday evening, there’s not much of interest this weekend. One fight that will certainly get the juices flowing is the recently announced light-heavyweight blockbuster between David Benavidez and David Morrell on February 1.

The pair were filming a face-off a few days ago and it got a little heated, prompting Morrell’s trainer, Ismael Salas, to step in and push them apart. The winner will be in pole position to try and force a fight with the evasive Canelo Alvarez.

Benavidez, 29-0 with 24 KOs, is of Mexican descent. Mike Tyson once labelled him the ‘Mexican Monster’ on a podcast, and Benavidez happily lapped up the title.

Morrell, meanwhile, is an 11-0 Cuban with nine KOs. Don’t be fooled by the low digits. Morrell has packed a lot of entertainment into his five years as a pro.

*Benavidez has opened as an 8/11 favourite, with Morrell 5/4. The knockout odds, once released, are where it’s at, as both are spiteful finishers.