Posted on 06/05/2002 9:37:25 AM PDT by Types_with_Fist
The Champion and the Nag
By Kerry Fox
June 5, 2002
As long as I can remember, I've always loved two sports: Boxing and Horse Racing. I never bet on them. I just enjoy them immensely. When they are done with excellence, they can warm your heart with their memories.
This weekend should be a huge day for both of these sports. But, alas, it will only be great for one of them.
On Saturday, a wonderful animal named War Emblem will attempt to become only the 12th Triple Crown winner of all-time.
Sweeping the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness and the Belmont Stakes is incredibly difficult and hasn't been done since 1978. I've resolved I will see another Triple Crown winner before I die. Since '78, several horses have broken my heart at Belmont, after they won the first two races. But, my hopes are up that War Emblem is the horse to finally do it.
Actually, Emblem's style, heart and talent hasn't been seen since the great Secretariat. He actually had to be "held back" in the Preakness, and still he won by several lengths. War Emblem is a champion, and should prove himself such Saturday afternoon at Belmont Park. I'm predicting (but, mostly, hoping for) a 10-length victory, and glory.
The other event in this "great sports day" is the Heavyweight Championship bout in Memphis, Tennessee, between the reigning champion, Lennox Lewis, and the ear-biting, temper tantrum-throwing, expletive-spewing, ex-con, ex-champion, "Iron" Mike Tyson.
There have been few athletes or horses more disappointing that the sad debacle that is Mike Tyson. He could have been the greatest of all time but the classless, clueless nitwit decided to trash it all.
I remember the first time I ever saw Mike Tyson fight. The heavyweight division had three or four "champions" at the time. Boxing was ready for another great fighter; someone who would unify the titles and defeat the best his era had to offer. There didn't seem to be anyone out there who could do it.
Then, I saw Tyson's 22-second destruction of Marvis Frazier.
I watched with increasing interest as Tyson destroyed one contender after another, until he finally did unify the titles. By the time he did, I was a full-blown Tyson fan. Tyson's handlers had him on the road toward immortality. It looked for a while that he might actually beat Marciano's famous 49-0 record as a heavyweight. He was going to be "the greatest ever."
However, after unifying the titles, Tyson dumped his handlers and hooked up with Don King, which should have and could have been the worst thing to happen to him. But, we really didn't know enough about Mike Tyson, the person.
Tyson was unleashed upon himself.
The very first thing that happened was when an untrained Tyson kept leading with his face against Buster Douglas' jab in Japan.
It's been downhill since then.
In a mostly shock-resistant world, Tyson has managed to keep mouths hanging open is disbelief.
Over the years, while he could have been training, fighting and winning, we have seen Tyson in not only several losses but numerous assaults and lawsuits. There has been one rape conviction and several other accusations. He's been to prison a couple of times.
As an athlete, Tyson has pushed referees, hit after the bell and bitten a chunk out of Evander Holyfield's ear. Tyson has accosted elderly men after traffic accidents - that he caused - and instigated fracases at press conferences. He's spewed expletives on TV and slandered and threatened sports writers in interviews. He has demonstrated that he is an angry, bitter and pitiful excuse for a human being. Even Don King has called Tyson the "KKK Poster Boy." You have to be pretty darn low for Don King to look down on you.
Nope, because of the circumstances - and one of the participants - neither Lennox Lewis nor Mike Tyson will "win" Saturday night's heavyweight title fight (Sorry Lennox).
This weekend should be great for both Boxing and Horse Racing history. But, it will only be half as great as it could be, because Mike Tyson has nowhere near the class War Emblem does.
Saturday night, whether he wins or loses, Tyson will still be a loser. Boxing will be a loser.
Saturday night, War Emblem will be a great champion, remembered and loved through the ages. Horse racing will be a winner.
War Emblem will be immortal.
Tyson will still be a shameless, disappointing nag.
Yeah, as much as I wish I felt otherwise, I hope that on Saturday War Emblem beats the living crap out of Mike Tyson.
Kerry Fox is News-Minute's editor. Visit his Archive
Kerry can be reached at comments@newsminute.com
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