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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.
