At 40, bad boy bids to turn good

YOUNGSTOWN (Ohio): Notorious former world heavyeight champion Mike Tyson began collecting money for his comeback when tickets went on sale here on Tuesday for his October 20 ring return in a four-round bout.

‘Mike Tyson’s World Tour’, a series of four-round exhibitions, opens with a fight at a 6,000-seat arena against former sparring partner Corey Sanders, a far cry from the glory days the convicted rapist once enjoyed.

Now the 40-year-old American hopes to capitalise upon his fame and his need for a fitness regime. “I was a little overweight, smoking too much, and I started to get in shape,” Tyson says. “I was training in Las Vegas and 2,000 people a day were there. Why not do an exhibition? Once I started training, the stress left. I’m not slurring. I’m not angry. Life’s lessons are priceless. I’m happy to be here. I’m truly nervous. I haven’t done this for a while.”

Tyson, 50-6 with 44 knockouts, has not fought since quitting after six rounds against Kevin McBride in Washington in June of 2005 and immediately announcing his retirement. He has kept a low profile since then.

“I learned life is short and very unpredictable,” Tyson says. “You have to stay humble and not get too emotional. I’m trying to keep my cool.”