The Final Tent Comes Down

The Circus that was Mike Tyson has finally drawn to a close. He head-butted, he threw low blows, and even attempted to break his opponent's arm, but in the end he surrendered in a fight he couldn't even cheat to win. His sixth round loss closed the page in a chapter of sports history that was at times awesome, tragic, and compelling. A great champion knows when he is done, and he walks away before he disgraces the sport he once dominated. Mike Tyson has finally bowed out, although 15 years too late.

"I just don't have it in me anymore. . . . My career's over," Tyson said. "It's been over since 1990. . . . "

It is relieving to know that he has come to same conclusion as the rest of the Western World. A man that peaks at the age of 20 can look forward to nothing other than a long and pitiful decline. Mike Tyson is the icon of decline. Every comeback dream has been exposed as nothing more than the hot greed of greasy promoters. Iron Mike tumbled back down the hill each time, and has finally progressed to the point where even an escalator couldn't help. A young man with the world by the balls squandered his talents, his money, and any wise words that even fell on his ears. He has become a loser, a felon, and a public embarrassment. But in a world where the only true crime is to be boring, he will always be remembered as a king.