MIKE TYSON said little. His entourage would not shut up. Such was yesterday's final public appearance before the World Boxing Council heavyweight title fight between the former undisputed world champion and reigning WBC champion, Britain's Frank. Bruno, in Las Vegas in the early hours of Sunday morning.
Tyson exchanged menacing glares with Bruno, but the two did not speak to each other. Tyson has kept training private since a poor early effort and done little to promote a fight that will pay him $30 million.
I'm fit and ferocious as ever," Tyson said. "I'm just here to work and ready to get it on. I'm just coming to take care of business." Tyson was clad in a black leather jacket and wore a cap with the inscription "Live Hard".
He predicted victory in his first title fight since losing three crowns to Buster Douglas in Tokyo in 1990. "It will be a great accomplishment in my life," Tyson said. "I am expecting to win it and have a jubilant time afterwards."
Bruno's every attempt to speak was met with taunts from Tyson employees Stacy McKinley and Steve Fitch. Bruno shrugged off the hecklers as he has several other demeaning situations this week.
"His people are not good for boxing," Bruno said. "They say crazy things. It's a sign of the pain they are going through in that camp. When I beat Tyson, they will have to get a new job, won't they?"
Bruno has also seen Tyson take the top floor suites at the MGM Grand usually reserved for champions. Tyson will take away five times more than Bruno's $6 million pay-off from the bout at the hotel. "I would be a liar if I said I was happy. But I'm contented. I got my chance to fight for the title," said Bruno, who had lost three earlier title bouts. "I'm not really bothered. That's life. Sometimes in life you have to walk before you can run."
The 15,000-seat MGM Grand Arena is nearly sold out, with 5,000 British fans making the trans-Atlantic trek to cheer Bruno.
Tyson made $25 million for his comeback fight against Peter McNeeley and $10 million more for fighting Buster Mathis Jnr. But those were tune-ups for flamboyant promoter Don King's plan to bring Tyson another undisputed crown.
"All this time we were preparing for what we are starting now," King said. "Tyson, fulfilling the prophecy that has been set for him, will become the first billion dollar athlete the world has ever seen. The man is setting a new economic standard in the history of sports."
King's ramblings to promote the fight covered Rip Van Winkle, the US Revolutionary War against England and the odd claim that Bruno "is trying to bring the Union Jack back to Britain".
King said Bruno "grows on you like a toothache you just can't get around", and compared his past defeats to baseball, saying: "after three strikes, you are usually out. He struck out. We rescued him".
Tyson co-manager John Horne insulted Riddick Bowe, George Foreman and Evander Holyfield, saying none of them would have made the money they have had Tyson not gone to prison for three years.
"Boxing lost its identity when Mike lost the title," Horne said. "Because of his misfortune, they all made millions. Holyfield made money he never would have seen. We are prepared to bring one champion back to boxing."
Bruno, who has had 181 sparring rounds, promised not to let down his British fans and predicted an explosive start to the fight. He remains an 8-1 underdog with US bookmakers. "Buster Douglas was 42-1," Bruno said. "I think 8-1 is a bit lower."
Promoter Frank Warren earlier claimed a Bruno knockout of Tyson would rival England's 1966 World Cup soccer triumph in the elite league of British sporting triumphs. "If he beats Tyson, it's the equivalent of England winning the World Cup in `66 without a doubt, the biggest thing for British sport. I can't think of a thing to rival it," said Warren.
If he won, Bruno would take over the route mapped out for Tyson, which begins with a fight against WBA champion Bruce Seldon on June 22nd, and a shot at the IBF title in a bid to become undisputed world champion in the autumn. Sums in the region of £20 million are being mentioned.
