I watched Kevin McBride, live from the MCI Center, defeat Mike Tyson. Despite sitting amidst three other fellow Irishmen, and a section of other folks of a similar background, I rooted for Tyson. I don't rejoice in his defeat. In his corner, despite winning the fight, he quit. Following the fight, he explained: "I do not have the guts to be in this sport anymore. I don't want to disrespect the sport that I love. My heart is not into this anymore. I'm sorry for the fans who paid for this. I wish I could have done better. I want to move on with my life. It's time to move on with my life and be a father, take care of my children." I respect Tyson. I'm glad I saw him once before he was gone. He owes money, and that's why he fought Saturday night. Boxing is dangerous. Owing money is a bad reason to fight. If Tyson has no passion for the sport, I'm glad he's calling it quits. Despite seeing him live, I won't remember him for tonight. Anyone who does is a knucklehead. Spinks. Holmes. Berbick. Ruddock. etc. This is what he should be remembered for. I don't remember Muhammad Ali for Trevor Berbick. I won't remember Mike Tyson for Kevin McBride.

I'll remember him most for raping women, and for chewing off an opponent's ear. Some legacy.

I try to remember people for what sets them apart from the crowd. Otherwise there is really nothing worth noting.

Of Thomas Jefferson I note that he wrote the Declaration of Independence, he was President, and he was instrumental in the founding of the United States. Yes, he had slaves. Perhaps he had an affair. Those are commonplace. He is distinguished only by the former.

Tyson is a thug. He is one of many, and he is not noteworthy as such. But for a five year period he was a fine boxer and world heavyweight champion. That is the only reason to mention him and the most appropriate way to mention him. IMHO

Ozzippitt is right.

You respect a convicted rapist?

You respect a man who squandered $300 million?

You respect a boxer who bit off an opponent's ear in the ring?

Brad, I will make you respect me!

I don't respect Tyson. As already stated, he is a thug. He is also an idiot. The only thugs and idiots I confront are the ones who have to do with me.

Tyson's boxing talent and skill was admirable, not his character. Angelina Jolie is a beautiful woman, and I admire her looks even though, for all I know, she may very well be complete slut, stupid, and mean. Likewise other people of talent and accomplishment have those as admirable attributes while they may be scoundrels at the same time. It may not be just, but it is reality.

Mea culpa. The offending passage was written in haste in the early a.m. hours after partaking in excessive jubilance at a sporting event. Perhaps I should have written that I respect Tyson's place in boxing history rather than that I respect Tyson. I respect some things about him--he came from a really bad place to become heavyweight champion. But, obviously, there are some glaring deficiencies in his character that evidence themselves from time to time. From now I on, when I praise Sonny Liston, Bernard Hopkins, Jake LaMotta, or Mike Tyson, please be assured that I am praising in-ring efforts rather than humanitarian exploits or lack thereof.

Dan, don't be so quick to cave. I respect him. In fact, he is the model for which I aspire to become. My prediction is that he will either be dead, incarcerated or have his own reality show within two years. Heavywieght boxing is in tough shape.

The one thing he can still cash in on now is a book deal. A "tell all" ofcourse. He'll get a pretty could advance, sell some books and be back in jail within 4 years. It's a very sad ending to a career with such promise.

Although I would love to see him get an advertising deal and replace John Madden as the tough actin' Tinactin guy. As it looks now athlete's foot maybe the only thing he can defeat.

If he tires to make a comeback, I'm gonna torture him. I'm gonna crucify him.

Real bad.

Despite some people's revisionist history, I find it hard to dispute that in his prime Mike Tyson was one of the five best heavyweights in history. His destruction of opponents through carnal rage and crushing punching power was stunning for fight fans, and although he turned into a circus act towards the end, I will always remember him for that. He really once was the "Baddest Man on the Planet," and his dubious ending should not taint his early brilliance, just as we have given a pass to Willie Mays, Joe Louis, Mark Spitz, etc. through the years.

In his prime Mike Tyson was one of the top 2 heavyweights of all time. No dispute! Does anybody honestly believe any of these guys would stand a chance with the mid to late 80's Mike Tyson. For instance: Jack Johnson, Dempsey, Joe Louis, Marciano, Joe Frazier, George Foreman, Larry Holmes, Holyfield or Lenox Lewis. Only "The Greatest" didn't make my list. That is why I said Tyson was top 2. Obviously some very good Heavyweights were left of this list, however none were great like the above mentioned.

Movie plug: Saw Cinderella Man yesterday and liked it much more than I thought I would. Adequate dialogue, strong family values, neither glorified nor denigrated Depression-era misery. Best line: "What are you fighting for?" "Milk."

webster is an idoit shut the hell up tyson will knock ya soft ass out and dont ever speak about angelina like dat again or ima bust dat ass!!

I dont subscribe to the popular view of tyson as a thug. The media have a vested interest in portraying tyson as a violent animal as a means of selling more papers,bad news sells. If you watch tyson interviews from '84 and '85 you see a gracous and respectful kid with a great passion for his sport. As for rape, well would anyone be stupid enough to completely dismiss the possibility that he was fitted up?