Psychiatrists on notice - Sporting Chance by Joaquin M. Henson

Some wise guy suggested that instead of judges, psychiatrists should be assigned to keep watch on Mike Tyson and Andrew Golota as the notorious Masters of Mayhem slug it out in a scheduled 10-round heavyweight bout at The Palace in Auburn Hills, Michigan, tomorrow (Manila time).

Fans are expecting a brawl to end all brawls. Tyson, a 4-1 favorite, has a serious mental problem. He’s a wild animal disguised as a human being. Inside the ring, Tyson is the personification of violence. What makes this fight interesting is Golota’s just as mean as Tyson. They’re meant for each other–two blood-thirsty gladiators who are shameless rule-breakers.

Tyson, 34, is a loose cannon. Twice, he munched on Evander Holyfield’s ear when it was evident he couldn’t beat the Real Deal in their tumultuous rematch in 1997. He tried to decapitate Lou Savarese after their fight had been stopped and in the process, knocked down the referee. He struck Orlin Norris after the bell and left him sprawled on the canvas, unable to continue. And he terrorized Robin Givens all the way to divorce court.

Golota, 32, is all brawn and no brains. In 1996, he was on the way to defeating Riddick Bowe but wouldn’t stop punching his groin. Golota was disqualified not once but twice in their two meetings. It’s not that Golota has a low IQ. Maybe, he doesn’t have an IQ. Last year, Golota dropped Michael Grant twice in the first round and was en route to a breezy win on points when in the final stanza, he quit under fire.

Golota is just as unpredictable as Tyson. They’re probably both mentally imbalanced. Compared to Tyson and Golota, Nedal Hussein is a saint. Imagine what could happen when two nut cases are let loose like mad dogs in a cage.

Golota’s trainer Al Certo said: "Golota will play by the rules for as long as he can. But if things get dirty, Golota is a master of that. People really want to see rough, tough dirty fights. They want to see what these two guys can do."

Certo said Golota is prepared to dish out whatever dirty tricks Tyson will use. The Pole’s sparmates were primed to twist his arm, use their shoulders, butt, step on his feet, and elbow, according to Claude Abrams of Boxing News. "And (Golota), something of a fouling expert himself, seems prepared to retaliate as he knows best," said Abrams.

If Tyson bites Golota’s ear, the Pole will bite back. It’ll be tit for tat. Tyson will get a dose of his own medicine if he decides to rough it. Who knows? Golota might even start the roughhousing to get the jump on Iron Mike. Poor referee Frank Garza–he’ll be in the middle of a wild and wooly riot.

When the smoke clears, Tyson should walk away a winner. Golota can’t take a punch–he was flattened by Lennox Lewis in a single round and surrendered to Grant when the going got rough. If Tyson lands a clean shot, it’ll be lights out for Golota. The question is: Can Tyson land a clean shot? Golota packs a dizzying left jab–theoretically, he can keep Tyson at bay with his three-inch reach advantage. Tyson, of course, will put the pressure on Golota from the start.

Golota has power, too–he’s scored 13 first round KOs in compiling a 36-4 mark, with 29 KOs. But Tyson’s record is more frightening–48-3, with 42 KOs (21 in the first round) and a no-contest.

Viva Vintage Sports will start the coverage of the Tyson-Golota card on IBC-13 at 2 p.m. today. Muhammad Ali’s daughter Laila is featured in the undercard. Recently married to former cruiserweight contender Johnny McClain, she promises to keep her 7-0 record, with seven KOs, unblemished.

Ronnie Nathanielsz of Viva Vintage Sports said an exclusive live interview with Luisito Espinosa will be aired during the telecast. Espinosa is booked to face Mexican Ramon Aragon in a preliminary before the Tyson-Golota main event.

Postscript: Watch for the 8th Philippine Airlines Mabuhay Club Invitational Golf Tournament at the Riviera Golf and Country Club in Silang, Cavite, on Nov. 10. The one-day tournament is open exclusively to Mabuhay Club members and will employ the System 36 scoring format. Prizes include trophies, golf accessories, travel amenities, auto accessories, premium PAL logo items, gift certificates at top hotels and resorts, major appliances, and round-trip tickets to choice PAL destinations. Shotgun start is at 7:30 a.m. on the challenging Riviera layout that features courses designed by golfing legends Bernhard Langer and Fred Couples. An added attraction is the participants will get the rare chance to test the par-71 Langer course two weeks before it becomes the battleground of the 85th Philippine Open. Last year, Californian Tom Culligan emerged as overall net champion in a thrilling tiebreak with businessman Jose Antonio Lim who settled for the Class A title. For particulars, call the Mabuhay Club Program Center at Tels. 818-72-03 or 818-01-11, locals 5337 and 5334.