Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, March 26, 1995 TAG: 9503280024
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: D-11 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Newsday
DATELINE: PLAINFIELD, IND. LENGTH: Medium
Saturday, March 25, 1995, will be remembered as Independence Day for Mike Tyson in more ways than one.
First, the former heavyweight boxing champion stepped outside the chain-link fence at the Indiana Youth Center for the first time in three years since he was sentenced for the rape of beauty-pageant contestant Desiree Washington.
Then, Tyson symbolically distanced himself from the control of promoter Don King by heading directly to a mosque, where Tyson prayed, ate breakfast with former champ Muhammad Ali and let the world know he is sincere about his conversion in prison to the Muslim faith.
The first signal Tyson is changing the direction of his life came at 6:16 a.m., when he appeared in the prison reception area wearing an embroidered white skull cap, a symbol of Muslim faith. He was greeted by King, co-managers Rory Holloway and John Horne and female companion Monica Turner, a 28-year-old medical student at Georgetown University. A phalanx of bodyguards surrounded Tyson and escorted him down the steps to a waiting limousine.
During the week preceding Tyson's release, a battle of wills erupted between King and Muhammed Siddeeq, Tyson's Muslim instructor in prison. King wanted Tyson to go immediately to the airport to begin the trip to his home in Southington, Ohio. Siddeeq felt Tyson should say a prayer of thanks first. The path of the limousine out of the prison driveway was significant. If it turned left, it meant Tyson was going to the headquarters of the Islamic Society of North America, which is located less than three miles from the prison. If the limo turned right, Tyson was following the path laid out by King.
With his plans to represent Tyson in a series of fights that could net more than $250 million in profits during the next two years hanging in the balance, King wasn't about to say no to Tyson. The limousine turned left past a crowd of about 200 spectators stationed across the street in the numbing dawn chill and set off on a pilgrimage to the mosque, which became Mecca for a day.
When the morning prayer began at 6:30 - an hour later than usual to accommodate Tyson - the worshippers and reporters arranged themselves in orderly rows under the vaulted dome of the mosque. Men and boys stood up front, while women moved to the back and up to a balcony. Tyson stood in the first row with Ali and boxing promoters Akbar Muhammad and Bilal Muhammad, among others. Behind Tyson in the second row, looking rather meek, stood King, Holloway and Horne.
What followed was an unusual sight: King, an avowed Baptist, prostrate on his knees with his forehead touching the carpeted floor in Islamic fashion. The scene could not be captured for posterity, however, because security personnel forbade the use of cameras inside the mosque.
On his way upstairs to breakfast, Tyson wore a serious expression as he exchanged greetings with well-wishers. His head was shaved closely, but he was sporting a neatly-trimmed beard.
After the prayer session, King urged Tyson to depart quickly for the airport, but the promoter was rebuked. Tyson went upstairs to a meeting room to eat and chat with Ali.
Tyson never spoke to reporters, but he released a statement upon leaving the prison that read: ``I'm very happy to be out and on my way home. I want to thank everyone for their support. I will have more to say in the future. I'll see you all soon.''
Tyson is expected to take three or four months to prepare for his return to the ring. After two or three tuneup fights, he likely will meet 46-year-old International Boxing Federation champion George Foreman in a fight that may net profits of $100 million. But it's far from certain King will get a cut of that purse.
by CNB