Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, August 20, 1995 TAG: 9509130083
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: FROM NEW YORK TIMES AND ASSOCIATED PRESS REPORTS
DATELINE: LAS VEGAS LENGTH: Medium
The end came after 1 minute, 29 seconds and followed the second knockdown, when McNeeley's manager, Vinny Vecchione, jumped into the ring to halt the bout. McNeeley, appearing confused, got up and started to run around the ring, not believing this madcap week of fun was over.
But Vecchione's action led to the disqualification by referee Mills Lane.
When Tyson realized the fight was over, he said, ``What?''
Then, with a disgusted look on his face, Tyson left the ring before the official decision had been announced.
Later, Tyson indicated McNeeley may have been fortunate the fight ended as it did.
``Eventually he would have gotten hurt,'' Tyson said. ``I'm a blood man. I like to win.
``I didn't think I hit him hard, but he fell. I was surprised his corner came in to stop it.''
The crowd also was surprised. Many booed and chanted obscenities at the abrupt ending.
The fight didn't last as long as the national anthem, but there was plenty of action.
Tyson appeared at an arena entrance as flashing blue and green lights bathed him. He was surrounded by smoke. It was a perfect metaphor for this town, as well as the mystery that has shrouded him. He wore a white towel cut into a poncho covering his upper body.
McNeeley looked as if he was ready for a sprint, taking a standing start. He charged out, but quickly was knocked down with a right hand.
Tyson then landed a left uppercut, but McNeeley seemed unimpressed.
The beginning of the end came with another Tyson right that knocked McNeeley onto his back, but even as he fell he appeared to sneer at the former world heavyweight champion.
As Lane tried to push Tyson to a neutral corner, Vecchione stepped in to halt the bout. The crowd booed and McNeeley seemed stunned at the stoppage.
After both fighters left the ring, Lane met with Nevada state boxing commissioners Dr. James Nave and Dr. Elias Ghanam and Marc Ratner, the executive director of the commission, who talked for several minutes before ruling the fight was a disqualification because of Vecchione's action.
``Mike Tyson was getting at him pretty good,'' Lane said. ``But he [McNeeley] came to fight. He could have gone on, the kid could have gone on. I don't understand why his corner came in.''
It was a festive crowd at the MGM Grand Garden, however, a star-studded crowd that had paid prices ranging from $200 to $1,500 to welcome back Tyson.
``I just want to win in spectacular fashion,'' Tyson said before the fight. ``I'm sure you'll find the fight very breathtaking.''
It was exciting while it lasted, although neither fighter was especially accurate with his punches, but it certainly ended on a disappointing note.
Tyson, 29, has a 42-1 record with 36 knockouts. McNeeley, 26, has a 36-2 record with 30 knockouts.
Tyson's purse was $25 million; McNeeley received $540,000.
Tyson's return created a higher degree of agitation at the 5,000-room MGM Grand, which usually buzzes. The last few days have had an edge, though, that George Foreman or Riddick Bowe could not bring.
After all, who knew what to expect - really - from Tyson? It was more than four years since he lost his crown, a little more than three years since he went to prison for rape, eight years since he became a champion.
McNeeley had 30 knockouts but virtually no respect from the boxing community.
No matter. His dad, Tom McNeeley - famous for being knocked down eight times by Floyd Patterson - and his younger brother Snubby were part of the big family celebration.
A protest group of about two dozen people, organized by the National Organization for Women, picketed the Tyson fight. But inside, the people at the gaming tables, and those on line to bet the fight, cared little.
To the MGM Grand, the Tyson show was ``bigger than New Year's Eve,'' said Gene Kivi, who runs the hotel's sports book.
Even though Tyson was about a 20-1 favorite, more than $1.5 million was bet on the card, easily eclipsing the $1 million wagered on last year's George Foreman-Michael Moorer show.
Before he stepped into the ring, making his return in an arena inside a hotel where the Tin Man and Dorothy sign autographs, those for and against Tyson were thinking beyond McNeeley.
Tyson already has an agreement with Buster Mathis Jr. to meet at the MGM Grand on Nov.4. That happens to be the same night Riddick Bowe and Evander Holyfield, who were the world's best heavyweights while Tyson was in prison, are supposed to meet for the third time. Both fell on hard times and lost their unified crowns. At stake is Bowe's less-prestigious World Boxing Organization crown.
So the question is: Who blinks? Can there be two fights involving famous heavyweights in the same city, only a mile apart, on dueling pay-per-view channels?
Keywords:
BOXING
by CNB