"Iron" Mike Tyson unleashes that barbaric inner rage, societal
anti-establishment and animal-like intimidation upon the world as a whole with
no attempts to control him.THE INTEGRITY OF THE GAME
By Stephen S. Johnson
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (INSIDE BOXING, 06/08/02) "Iron" Mike Tyson was KO'd by Lennox Lewis tonight. The outcome should not have been unexpected.
Lewis enjoyed a 6 inches height as well as reach advantage. Lewis has been active over the last year while Tyson has been dormant. Lewis has been the epitome of class in a sport that is all too often classless.
So why would the whole world heavily anticipate the Lewis vs. Tyson heavyweight title fight?
"Iron" Mike Tyson unleashes that barbaric inner rage, societal
anti-establishment and animal-like intimidation upon the world as a whole with
no attempts to control him.
The strange scenario that allows this man to be called a professional is a slap in the face to all professional athletes the world over.
With the term "professional" in any workplace came a degree of pride and appreciation for what the job has and continues to mean for all associated with it. That pride and appreciation has become compromised in all society when profit is given priority over appropriate behavior.
Individual sport is no different than team sport when it comes to the word "professional". Both claim to allow the best in the world to compete on the ultimate stage. That stage? Being able to play-for-pay.
We all know of athletes that have had all the God given talent and ability to compete with the best in their given sport. But their inability to conform to certain standards associated with the term "professional" denied them this opportunity.
Whether the inappropriate behavior exhibited was alcohol, drugs or legal troubles "bad boys" were not allowed in the professional ranks. The pride and appreciation of the sport, or as some would put it "the integrity of the game", was first and foremost.
That philosophy no longer exists. Put fannies in the seats and you are given a pass that can be renewed time and time again.
In boxing, baseball, basketball, football, hockey or any other professional sport the bottom line has become what is best financially for the given sport.
Professional basketball has even gone so far as to allow the "integrity of the game" line to be crossed by an owner.
Dallas Maverick owner Mark Cuban has made negative public statements in reference to officiating of NBA games (considered a no-no) that draw hefty automatic fines.
Cuban thumbs his nose at the levied fines by matching them and donating that amount to charity. His reasoning? He has enough money that any fine given him will not be enough to shut him up.
The "integrity of the game" should have Cuban into the office of the Commissioner along with every other NBA owner in attendance. Specifics about what would and would not be tolerated by ANY owner would be addressed with the understanding that any further violation would be the end of his reign as an NBA owner.
Before you say this could never be done remember Major League Baseball got rid of Cincinnati Reds owner Marge Schott for remarks attributed to her. The National Football League forced ownership to change hands in the San Francisco 49er organization because of shady dealings. When the "integrity of the game" comes under scrutiny there should be no compromise.
The new thinking seems to ride on "at what cost" does the scrutiny override the infraction? "Show me the money" isn't just a movie line. It now carries more weight than integrity and professionalism put together.
Reasonable thinking would suggest "Iron" Mike Tyson has long ago destroyed the term "professional" and "the integrity of the game" when referring to boxing. This may or may not be the case.
The recent Mike Tyson antics have reached an all-time low when lewd and crass remarks that would make even the hardcore street thug cringe, were dismissed as "that's just Mike being Mike".
Saturday night should have been the last time society would put up with Mike Tyson as a professional boxer. There is nothing about "Iron" Mike Tyson that can be associated with professionalism.
But there will be another episode to the Tyson saga. There is still money to be made as long as he is allowed to remain in the game. And he will be allowed to do so until some governing body decides enough is enough.
But Mike Tyson was not born with the matinee idol good looks nor did he possess the Olympic Gold Medal that seems to bring with it instant validation to become a star in the professional boxing ranks.
He had to do what he does best starting at the bottom. Making his way to the top has enabled him to feel he can do and say whatever he damned well pleases. There has been no one willing to tell him otherwise.
"Integrity of the game"…"Professional athlete"…are these not sacred phrases?
What "Iron" Mike Tyson has done for boxing is debatable. What boxing has done for "Iron" Mike Tyson is make him a rich man. Maybe that's all that really matters.
Professional boxing and professional sports will never be the same. Mike Tyson and (to a much lesser degree) Mark Cuban have blazed a new trail that may well be the beginning of the end for professional sport as we once knew it.
And we have no one to blame but ourselves.