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Honour for Tyson

Bongani Magasela

Bongani Magasela

Golden Gloves' boss Rodney Berman and Bob Yearham of Emperors Palace will jointly host a gala dinner in honour of "Iron" Mike Tyson next month.

Berman's spokesman Terry Pettifer said Tyson would sign memorabilia such as boxing gloves and mementos that will be auctioned at the dinner.

The proceeds will go to two charities that will be announced by Berman and Yearham in due course.

Tyson is scheduled to arrive here on January 29.

The former undisputed heavyweight champion will be Berman and Yearham's guest of honour for their fistic extravaganza on February 2.

The tournament will feature an IBO bantamweight fight between holder Silence Mabuza and the Philippines Eden Sonsona.

South African heavyweight champion Osborne Machimana will collide with Corrie Sanders over 10 rounds. Pettifer said Tyson would do live commentary for SuperSport, the Channel of Champions, that will televise the full bill.

For the record Tyson remains the youngest boxer ever, at 20, to win the heavyweight championship.

The loquacious Muhammad Ali won it at 21.

Tyson destroyed Trevor Berbick in two rounds to win the WBC title in 1986, and added both the WBA and IBF straps the following year before tasting defeat in 1990 against Buster Douglas.

Personal problems mounted and Tyson ended in jail for rape. But he clawed his way back after his release by reclaiming both the WBC and WBA belts from Frank Bruno (KO 3) and Bruce Seldon (KO 1) respectively in 1996.

He lost twice to Evander Holyfield the same year and after the second defeat (disqualified in three rounds for biting Holyfield's ears) Tyson went on to win five of his last 10 fights. Two were declared no contests.

Tyson boasted 44 knockouts in 50 wins and six losses.

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