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2011 HALL OF FAME INDUCTEE MIKE TYSON
RETURNS TO "BOXING'S HOMETOWN"
Tyson made promotional debut in Central New York last Friday
CANASTOTA, NY - AUGUST 27, 2013 - On Friday, August 23rd, 2011 Hall of Fame Inductee “Iron” Mike Tyson made his promotional debut at the Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, NY. Iron Mike Productions, in association with Greg Cohen Productions, presented “Tyson Is Back,” which featured a full card of boxing action televised live on the season finale of ESPN Friday Night Fights.
On the afternoon of his first promotional event, Tyson visited the Hall of Fame for a walk down boxing’s memory lane. As he stopped by each exhibit, Tyson, who is a historian of the sport, offered insights into the lives and ring achievements of many legendary Hall of Famers including Lou Ambers, Jimmy McLarnin, Ike Williams, Joe Gans, Harry Greb, Jack Dempsey, Benny Leonard and Jem Belcher. Sporting a “Pardon Jack Johnson” t-shirt, the youngest heavyweight champion in history also toured the Hall’s research library and enjoyed perusing the ever-expanding collection of newspapers, magazines and books chronicling boxing history from the bare-knuckle era to the modern day. “Iron” Mike, who fought in Madison Square Garden three times as a professional, also stepped back into the world famous 82-year old MSG ring, which is now on permanent display in the Hall of Fame. Later that evening, with the broadcast team of Teddy Atlas, Joe Tessitore and Todd Grisham on hand to cover the action live, fans were treated to a great night of professional boxing in the Event Center at Turning Stone. In the main event Argenis “La Tormenta” Mendez (21-2-1, 11 KOs) retained his IBF junior lightweight title with an exciting 12-round majority draw against tough challenger Arash Usmanee (20-1-1, 10 KOs). In the co-feature Jesus Andres Cueller (23-1, 18 KOs) won a thrilling back and forth battle against Claudio “The Matrix” Marrero (14-1, 11 KOs) for the vacant WBA interim featherweight championship. In addition to Tyson’s appearance, while in Central New York for the fights many members of the boxing community enjoyed the Hall’s exhibits of boxing’s rich history including “Irish” Micky Ward (trainer for Iron Mike Productions), Atlas (who filmed his ESPN Friday Night Fights “Fight Plan” in the HOF), Iron Mike Productions’ VP Boxing Operations Henry Rivalta, undefeated prospect Albert Bell (1-0, 1 KO) and his father / trainer Andy Bell, well known boxing judge Harold Lederman, new WBA interim featherweight champion Cueller, Cuellar’s strength and conditioning coach Cicilio Flores, The Ring / Fight Network contributor Corey Erdman, ring announcer Bob Alexander and noted amateurs Erickson Lubin and Dennis Galarza.Below are a few snapshots. Click on images for a larger view:###
"Iron" Mike Tyson Back In "Boxing's Hometown"
