REBUILDING THE LEGEND: MIKE TYSON LAUNCHES LAS VEGAS AMATEUR INVITATIONAL TO SAVE BOXING
Mike Tyson launches the "Mike Tyson Invitational" in Las Vegas! Discover his plan to save amateur boxing and find the next star.
Back in the 1980s, when Mike Tyson was a young fighter in New York, he had all kinds of opportunities to sharpen the skills that would turn him into the most feared heavyweight in the world.
Now, Tyson looks at boxing in the U.S. and just shakes his head. Being a heavyweight champ used to mean you were a superstar; now, most people can’t even name the guy who holds the title.
That’s why, at 59, Tyson decided to help kick off the Mike Tyson Invitational this March in Las Vegas, the city he calls home. He and his team tracked down the country’s best amateur fighters, brought them together, and gave them a real stage to compete on. The idea? Start pushing boxing back into the spotlight, the way it once was.
“I’ve been watching some of these amateur fights and just thinking, ‘Man, we don’t have enough boxing clubs,’” Tyson said on Friday. “When I was fighting, you could fight at the Ohio State Fair one week, then head to Colorado for nationals a couple of weeks later. That’s the kind of competition we need if we want to keep up with the rest of the world.”
He’s especially worried about boxing’s future in the Olympics. Until the IOC finally announced last March that boxing would be part of the 2028 Games in Los Angeles, nobody was sure if the sport was even going to survive at that level.
Tyson wants to make boxing matter again in America. Sure, you’ll see a huge fight here and there, like the Canelo Alvarez-Terence Crawford super middleweight showdown at Allegiant Stadium that drew over 70,000 people. But those blockbuster nights don’t fix the bigger problem: at the grassroots, boxing’s in real trouble.
“Listen, boxing is dying, and that’s what’s driving me,” Tyson said. “If I can help lift the sport in any way, that’s enough for me.”
He’s open to teaming up with UFC boss Dana White, who grew up loving boxing before he built the UFC into a powerhouse. Through TKO, the company that owns UFC and WWE, White has a big partnership with Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority and Sela, a branch of the Saudi Public Investment Fund.
The Alvarez-Crawford card was the first big event under that deal, and Tyson was right there, surrounded by other boxing legends and celebrities.
The thing is, UFC has one guy at the top, calling the shots. Boxing? It’s a mess: different promoters, different organisations, all pulling in different directions.
“I kind of like how the UFC does it,” Tyson admitted. “One guy, he runs it all. It might not work for boxing, but the idea is good. In the UFC, if you turn in a boring fight, you might not get another shot. It’s about entertainment. Boxing, you stink up the show, and they just keep booking you. That needs to change. If you don’t bring exciting fights, you shouldn’t be in the mix.”
Excitement was never a problem for Tyson. He blasted through his first 19 pro fights by knockout, 12 of them in the first round. He became must-see TV, living up to his “baddest man on the planet” nickname. And he meant business. “Everyone has a plan until they get punched,” he once said.
“We’re entertainers, all of us, especially fighters,” Tyson said. “If you don’t put on a show, people will let you know. You might not like what they say, but my job was always to make the crowd happy.”
Now he’s looking for the next Mike Tyson or maybe a whole new crop of Tysons to fire up the sport.
This invitational won’t fix everything, but it’s a start.
“When I was a kid, I learned boxing is about putting asses in seats,” Tyson said. “That’s where greatness comes from.”
WHY NATE DIAZ SIGNED WITH JAKE PAUL’S MVP FOR MMA RETURN
Nate Diaz signs with Jake Paul’s MVP to face Mike Perry in an MMA return on the Rousey vs Carano Netflix card.
Nate Diaz is set to join the impressive undercard for the upcoming Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano bout. The UFC veteran has recently signed with Jake Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) and will take on Mike Perry at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles on May 16.
Diaz hasn’t stepped into the MMA cage since he submitted Tony Ferguson at UFC 279 back in 2022. After that, he tried his hand at boxing, debuting in the ring a year later, where he lost a points decision to Jake Paul. However, he bounced back in his next boxing match by securing a win against Jorge Masvidal.
There had been buzz about a potential fight between Diaz and Conor McGregor for McGregor’s UFC return, but those plans seem to have fallen through. Their history is well-known; they split victories in 2016, with Diaz dealing McGregor his first UFC loss. Many fans were hoping for a trilogy match, possibly headlining the promotion’s historic White House card.
Now Diaz is gearing up to face Perry at welterweight, following unified MMA rules over five rounds. He’ll be sharing the card with notable names like Francis Ngannou, who recently parted ways with PFL and is scheduled to fight Philipe Lins in the co-main event.
Diaz expressed his excitement about the return, saying, “Glad to be back in action." It’s time. Don’t forget where this all came from. I’ve got plans to keep going for the next decade, wherever it takes me. Time to set the bar again; get ready for a new takeover, again and again.”
He’s been hinting at this comeback for months and even called out Perry as part of a three-fight target list earlier this year. Diaz has openly admitted he has unfinished business in combat sports, aiming to capture gold before he retires.
His signing with MVP raises questions among MMA fans about whether the UFC had discussions with him beforehand, similar to what we saw with Rousey. She revealed she had talks with UFC CEO Dana White before announcing her Netflix fight against Carano, though she later criticised the UFC as a shadow of its former self, saying it no longer delivers the best fights.
While Diaz is undoubtedly the bigger name, Perry brings his own intensity to the card. Known as 'Platinum', Perry had a stint in McGregor’s Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship after leaving the UFC in 2021. He, too, has boxed and lost to Jake Paul before making a comeback to combat sports with a win over Jeremy Stephens at BKFC 82 last October.
Perry isn’t holding back, stating, “The King of Violence returns to MMA to elbow his opponent in the face.” The fight is set to be streamed on Netflix, with Perry promising Diaz will go “lights out” on May 16.
Nakisa Bidarian, MVP’s CEO, commented on the event’s massive potential, highlighting their record-breaking boxing viewership and expecting to smash those records again with this MMA card. He emphasised the matchup intensity, calling Diaz “the Real BMF” and Perry “the King of Violence", promising a battle from the first press conference through to the final bell.
This event in Los Angeles looks to be one of the biggest nights in combat sports, and Netflix’s involvement signals a bright future for MMA’s growth. More bouts for the card are expected to be announced soon, so keep an eye out for updates as the date approaches.
WHY FRANK WARREN BELIEVES RYAN GARNER IS READY FOR ELITE GOLD
Frank Warren declares Ryan Garner ready for a world title after a dominant third-round TKO win over Cristian Bielma.
Boxing promoter Frank Warren says super-featherweight Ryan Garner is just about ready to fight for a world title.
On Saturday night in Dublin, “The Piranha” made quick work of Cristian Bielma, stopping his Mexican opponent in the third round at 3Arena. Warren was clearly impressed by Garner’s performance, especially the way he handled every round.
“He did everything we asked of him tonight,” Warren said. “He was sharp, and when he needed to turn it up, he did it in style. He’s right there on the edge of a world title fight, and he’s definitely good enough to win one.”
Bielma never really challenged Garner. The Southampton native landed clean, heavy shots right from the start, leaving Bielma marked up early on. By the third, Garner had Bielma backed into a corner, piling on accurate punches until the referee stepped in to call it off.
Garner’s been dreaming about headlining a show in his hometown, Southampton, at St Mary’s Stadium. After a night like this, that dream feels within reach.
During fight week, rumours swirled that Garner could face the winner of Saturday’s main event this summer. But after Anthony Cacace beat James Dickens to claim the WBA super-featherweight title, Cacace made it clear he’s aiming higher.
“All respect to Ryan Garner, he’s a great up-and-comer,” Cacace said after his win. “But I’m after bigger names now. I want to unify the division. Emanuel Navarrete next, Saudi Arabia, wherever I am, I’ll be there.”
Navarrete currently holds the IBF and WBO super-featherweight titles.
Even though Cacace seems headed in another direction, Frank Warren is still confident Garner will get his shot soon.
“We’ll see how it all shakes out. Every fighter wants to unify belts, I get that,” Warren said. “But Ryan will fight for a world title. We’re planning a show in the south this summer; that’s what we’re aiming for. There are a few different options, but whatever happens, it’s going to be a big fight. Hopefully, it’s a world title fight.”
And about St Mary’s Stadium in Southampton? Warren didn’t hesitate: “Yep, that’s exactly what we want.”
