Tonya Harding to Box Before Tyson Bout

My Way News / AP ^ | 11/27/2002 | AP Staff

[ex-Texan]

Tonya Harding to Box Before Tyson Bout

By The Associated Press

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - "Celebrity Boxing" wasn't a one-time thing for Tonya Harding.

The former Olympic figure skater will make her debut as a professional fighter before the Mike Tyson-Clifford Etienne bout on Feb. 22.

After pummeling Paula Jones on the Fox show "Celebrity Boxing" in March, Harding said she's ready to get into the ring for real.

"It is my goal to be a future, undisputed bantamweight champion. My proven athletic ability and competitive nature will help this dream become a reality," the 31-year-old said Tuesday at a news conference with Tyson in Tunica, Miss.

Organizers said an opponent for Harding hasn't yet been lined up.

"We couldn't put out the word we were looking for an opponent for Tonya or else it would have ruined the announcement today," fight promoter Brian Young said.

Harding competed in the Winter Olympics and was the 1991 and 1994 national figure skating champion but was stripped of her U.S. title and banned from competitive skating for life for her role in the January 1994 knee-clubbing assault on rival Nancy Kerrigan organized by Harding's ex-husband.

[ex-Texan]

Tonya Harding ought to 'box' Iron Mike using a large lead pipe .... serve 'em both right.

[Cicero]

Tyson had better wear knee-guards.

[BenLurkin]

An iron pipe on Iron Mike might just get Tyson mad. . . . Still I'm rooting for Tonya:

[RANGERAIRBORNE]

I would pay to watch this IF Tonya would box Tyson. I bet money she would last longer than some of the tomato cans he has TKO'd!

[lilylangtree]

Harding better cover her ears. Isn't Tyson known for cannibalistic tendencies?

[Holofernes]

Maybe if they had that prettier skater (N. Kerrigan) boxing Bill O'Reilly in a jello-pit, and suddenly all her clothes flew off... hmm. I'd watch that.

[struggle]

the video game says it all....

as we say in japan, natsukashii... (nostalgic)

http://albinoblacksheep.com/flash/punch-out.html

[Feiny]

Tonya is the poster girl for 'White Trash'. Just when you think she could not sink any lower.....

[L.N. Smithee]

At last! The post-Tyson era begins.

I can't wait for the post-Don King era.

[pepsionice]

Hey, don't knock the girl. She has no other abilities to earn capitial. If this is the only way she can make a living, then we ought to stand by her. And I think she might have a chance to be a champion boxer. She has the attitude, and the reflexes to do it.

[MetalHeadConservative35]

if harding could face anyone id want to see her pummled'd by muhammed ali's daughter

[Lilly]

Everytime she shows her face, she makes an utter fool of herself, and people are reminded of the evil she committed on the lovely Nancy Kerrigan.