Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, November 2, 1995 TAG: 9511020080
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: LAS VEGAS LENGTH: Medium
That's a bad break for the public, which could have seen Iron Mike for free on television; for the Fox Network, which wanted a Tyson fight during sweeps month; for Buster Mathis, who was to get $800,000 for fighting Tyson; and for the undercard fighters, who lost good paychecks and a chance for national TV exposure.
Tyson's injury, which forced postponement of the fight Saturday night in the MGM Grand Garden, was greeted with cynicism in some quarters, especially after Tyson's 89-second fiasco against Peter McNeeley in August. The commission, however, is satisfied.
Dr. Gary Marrone said Tyson had come to his and Dr. Gerald L. Higgins' office about two weeks ago and that they had determined he had broken the thumb about three weeks ago and that it had healed. The two doctors are respected orthopedic surgeons who work with UNLV athletic teams.
``If Dr. Marrone and Dr. Higgins say that it's broken, then it's broken - absolutely,'' Marc Ratner, executive director of the Nevada State Athletic Commission, said Wednesday.
Marrone said Tyson broke the thumb again either Monday or Tuesday. It will be four to six weeks before Tyson can fight again.
``There have been rumors for the past six weeks and even before the McNeeley fight (Aug.19) that he was hurt,'' Ratner said. ``We hear rumors continually about fighters being injured. Fighters intentionally hide injuries from opponents. Sore hands are an occupational hazard.''
Dr. Flip Homansky, a commission doctor, will get copies of the X-rays of the injured thumb as well as copies of the report by Marrone and Higgins, Ratner said.
Ratner also said that he had seen Tyson punch the heavy bag and speed bag about two weeks ago and then sign autographs with his right hand for an hour without any sign of distress.
Tyson also sparred Monday and Tuesday.
``I was as shocked as anybody,'' Ratner said of the Tuesday night announcement that the fight was off.
Skeptics mused that poor ticket sales at the MGM Grand were behind the postponement.
Ratner said he heard rumors that ticket sales were anywhere from 1,800 to 4,300 for the match in the 15,000-seat arena.
Alex Yemenidijian, president and CEO of the MGM Grand, said there were 7,000 guests committed as of Wednesday.
Bill Doak, public relations and promotions manager for the hotel-casino, said a date for another Tyson fight will be reviewed by the casino.
Tyson's co-manager, John Horne said, ``Were looking forward to fighting Buster Mathis as soon as we can. We'd love to fight before the end of this year.''
Tyson is supposed to challenge Frank Bruno of Britain for the WBC championship March 16 at the MGM Grand. That date apparently has not been affected by the postponement of the Mathis fight.
``We are solid on March 16th,'' Horne said. He said Tyson will continue to work out but that he will not be able to spar for a while.
In two other fights, Paul Vaden, the IBF junior middleweight champion, was to fight Terry Norris, WBC junior welterweight champion, and Tom Johnson was to defend the IBF featherweight title against Jose Badillo of Puerto Rico.
The Vaden-Norris fight also would have been televised live as would Frankie Randall's WBA junior welterweight title defense against Juan Martin Coggi of Venezuela.
by CNB