Podcast: Interview with Mike Tyson

Previews of Davis-Lemos, Ennis-Chukhadzhian 2 cards; news of the week; big fight anniversary memories of SRL and Inoue

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There are two notable shows this weekend, Top Rank’s ESPN+ card headlined by lightweight Keyshawn Davis’ homecoming against Gustavo Lemos on Friday night and Matchroom Boxing’s DAZN card on Saturday night topped by welterweight titlist Jaron “Boots” Ennis’ rematch with Karen Chukhadzhian. We previewed and discussed both cards. There is also my interview with the iconic former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson ahead of his return to the ring to face Jake Paul on Nov. 15. We also went over various news of the week and looked back on the anniversary of two significant fights involving Sugar Ray Leonard and Naoya Inoue.

Here is what’s on the show (in order):

• Preview of Davis-Lemos: Davis’ homecoming and first main event, having his two brothers on the undercard, Lemos absurdly missing weight by 6.4 pounds, and the undercard that also includes Troy Isley and Abdullah Mason.

• Preview of Ennis-Chukhadzhian: The unnecessary mandatory rematch and also a look at the co-feature of WBC junior bantamweight titlist Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez defending against interim titleholder Pedro Guevara, and more of the undercard.

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• My interview with Tyson and we covered several topics in our limited time: His motivation to end a nearly 20-year retirement to face Paul; what he thinks his mentor, Cus D’Amato, and his kids think about him fighting again; thoughts on those concerned for him fighting at age 58 against an opponent who is 27 and in his physical prime; response to those who call the fight a sideshow; what changed between the time he disavowed boxing following his loss to Kevin McBride and his retirement to his decision to return; an update on his health that caused the fight with Paul to be postponed from July; does he still have the killer instinct in him; his thoughts on the rules tweaks, including having two-minute rounds; and more.

• The British Boxing Board of Control’s decision to lift its suspension of Conor Benn.

• Naoya Inoue’s $20 million sponsor deal with Riyadh Season.

• Junior welterweight contender Kenneth Sims Jr. being forced out of his Nov. 16 fight against Oscar Duarte in Riyadh due to a knee injury.

• Former light heavyweight titlist Joe Smith Jr.’s plan to return in February.

• Memories on the 36th anniversary of when Sugar Ray Leonard scored a crushing ninth-round knockout of Donny Lalonde to win the inaugural WBC super middleweight and also Lalonde’s light heavyweight title in the last great performance of his legendary career.

• Memories on the fifth anniversary of when Naoya Inoue outpointed Nonito Donaire in their first fight to unify bantamweight titles in by far his toughest fight, which was also the consensus 2019 fight of the year.

Please give it a listen! Also: rate, review, subscribe and enjoy!

We bring you the preview each Friday and the weekend recap each Monday. Let me know what you think of the podcast by leaving your comments.

Tyson photo: Michelle Farsi/Most Valuable Promotions

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