As a heavyweight boxer in the United States, Mike Tyson used his fists - and sometimes his teeth - to tackle his opponents. Now, the former world champion may learn to fight with his knees, elbows and feet during a training stint in Thailand. A newly formed organization for traditional Thai kickboxing, or muaythai, is considering a request for Tyson
to be trained in the martial art in Thailand, said police Gen. Kovid Bhakdiphum, chairman of the World Boxing Council Muaythai. "Tyson's representatives contacted us and asked what I can do to help Tyson, who is interested in switching from regular boxing to muaythai,'' he told The Associated Press.
Kovid said he would have to evaluate the behavior of the fighter, infamous for biting off part of Evander Holyfield's ear during a 1997 bout, before accepting him for training. The 38-year-old fighter has had several public brawls and run-ins with the law.
"If he's not punching people outside the ring or biting the ears of opponents and shows he's well disciplined, we will take him,'' Kovid said.
Kovid said he spoke to a Tyson representative Wednesday night, and that chances for the visit seemed good. An official from the WBC Muaythai, recently named a division of the World Boxing Council, will fly to Las Vegas next week to discuss details with Tyson, he added.
He said he was initially contacted with about the proposal by WBC President Jose Sulaiman's office, and that the move seemed to be an attempt to breathe new life into Tyson's waning career.
Tyson could help promote Thai kickboxing, a hugely popular sport in Thailand, internationally, Kovid said.
Further details about the plan were not immediately known.
Tyson was jailed in 1992 for raping a beauty pageant contestant, and in 1999 for assaulting two Maryland motorists.
More recently, he was cited on suspicion of criminal damage for allegedly jumping on the front of an Arizona man's vehicle outside the Pussycat Lounge in suburban Scottsdale on Nov. 27. The man dropped his complaint after he was paid $1,400 (euro1,040) for the damage.
Click to read more boxing articles by Boxing Press
Serious rumors in the boxing world indicate that the proposed super fight between Puerto Rican legend Felix "Tito" Trinidad and current light middleweight champion Ronald "Winky" Wright is about to >
Australian boxing legend Jeff Fenech is currently training Mike Tyson. The three time world champion, well known for his battles with Azumah Nelson is >
Ringside at the middleweight championship contest between Bernard Hopkins and Howard Eastman last night was none other than former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson. Still >
Former undisputed heavyweight champion of the world Mike Tyson is facing the possibility of several years in prison. Tyson stands accused of causing a public disturbance outside an Arizona nightclub >
It is thought that Top Rank chief Bob Arum is willing to take a gamble on promoting Mike Tyson if the former heavyweight champion retains his fitness and returns to >
Mike Tyson closed the book on Wednesday on one of his many run-ins with the law: His brawl last year with two men outside a Brooklyn hotel. Wearing a pink >