I’m a huge fan of boxing, and I’ve been playing EA Sports’ boxing games since “Knockout Kings” in 1998. With that said, I’m really looking forward to Fight Night: Round 4 which should be dropping in late Spring/early Summer.

We still don’t have a confirmed list of all the boxers included in this edition of the game, but after viewing the trailer below…. we know that Ali and Tyson WILL be selectable characters!

Is this the first time Mike Tyson has been a playable character in a video game? As a lifelong boxing fan, and a lifelong video game fan… I’m PRAYING they put the “young Tyson” in the game and not the “old Tyson”. Anyways… take a look.

If you’re ever interested in playing sports games head-to-head online… hit me up…. Add me to your friends list, etc.

PSN ID: sportaphile

Mike Tyson has enough self-inflicted damage to last him three lifetimes, but somehow that just isn’t enough for some people. Between the rape charge, ear biting incident, and cocaine bust, you would think that the media doesn’t need any extra reasons to pile on…. but they do.

I witnessed two cases of unwarranted Tyson bashing tonight that irked me… just a little.

Over at Yahoo! Sports boxing blog, theres an entry titled “Taebo, a huge diamond & death threats … must be a Tyson story”.

The story centers around a man who once bought a mansion from Mike Tyson 9 years ago, and is now being investigated by the feds. The new mansion owner tried to re-sell the mansion (and a huge diamond) to undercover federal agents who let him know they were using drug money. The problem with this story is that it has absolutely nothing to do with Mike Tyson, yet it’s being ran in the “Sports” section and bears his name in the title.

Do you think you’ll ever see Yahoo! running an article that says “Man who once shook hands with Rocky Marciano murders child”?? Probably not.

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The second instance was during tonights telecast of Margarito vs. Cotto, Mike Tyson was sitting in the crowd with two of his kids enjoying the fight. Jim Lampley and Larry Merchant gave Tyson a shout out as he appeared on the big screen, and the crowd gave Tyson an applause when they seen his image on the jumbotron. Lampley went on about how it was good to see a dad and his kids watching boxing, and that Mike was a brilliant student of the game.

Being the cynic that I am, I KNEW somebody was going to say something to completely ruin the warm and fuzzy moment. My fears were confirmed when Max Kellerman blurted out something to the effect of “considering some of Tyson’s rocky past, seeing him in this capacity is good to say the least”. Kellerman didn’t exactly say anything over the line, but it’s wack that Mike can’t even enjoy an honest night with his kids without someone making reference to his past. That tiny comment is almost saying “hey hey wait a minute, don’t forget he’s a bad guy…”.

Even the good deeds will be followed with a sly comment for all eternity.

“WOW, Mike Tyson saved that poor kids life! It’s a good thing he didn’t rape him and bite his ear… you know, because he DID do that in the past”.

The beacon of truth known as Media Take Out is reporting Mike Tyson and EliteXC have come to an agreement for him to fight Kimbo Slice.

May 15, 2008. The fight world is about to change. MediaTakeOut.com just EXCLUSIVELY learned that former heavyweight boxing champ has tentatively agreed to fight internet streetfighter Kimbo Slice under ProElite’s live fight division, EliteXC.

According to an insider at the company, Mike and Kimbo are set to fight “late this year or early next.” But first things first, Kimbo has to win his fight next Saturday night against James “Colossus” Thompson. A fight that or insider claims is “going to be tough.”

This fight will not take place for three reasons:

1. Mike Tyson hasn’t faught in years, and he’s fat now. You can’t roll off the couch and decide to knuckle up with someone who’s been training and fighting like a madman for the last 2 years.

2. Mike Tyson isn’t interested in the limelight anymore. During this E:60 Interview a few weeks ago, he seemed happy to be away from boxing and just wanted a normal life. He expressed frustration at being recognized and idolized (or vilified ) at every turn. Although he probably needs the money, I doubt he signed this deal.

3. This fight isn’t beneficial for Kimbo Slice to take. Sure, it would make him shitloads of money as well as raising public awareness, but if he wants the world of MMA to take him seriously he should focus on fighting established guys. I don’t throw around the word “circus” often, but thats exactly what this game would be.

With all that said… IF this is true, I would sadly still tune in. I can’t help it. TYSON VS. KIMBO BABY.