Tyson, concerned about the condition of boxing, initiates amateur invitational event.

LAS VEGAS — During his formative years as a fighter in New York in the 1980s, Mike Tyson had numerous opportunities to hone the abilities that would eventually establish him as the world’s most formidable heavyweight.

Now, Tyson observes the current landscape of boxing in the United States and is dissatisfied with what he perceives. The title of heavyweight champion has shifted from being one of the most esteemed in sports to one that is almost overlooked.

This concern motivated the 59-year-old Hall of Famer to help initiate the Mike Tyson Invitational, scheduled for March 12-14 in his adopted city of Las Vegas. Tyson’s team aimed to gather the nation’s top amateur boxers, providing them with a platform to compete against one another, with the long-term objective of restoring boxing to its former status as a sport that generates significant discussion.

“I was watching some of the amateur fights and I was wondering, ‘We don’t have enough boxing clubs,'” Tyson remarked on Friday. “In my fighting days, we could compete at the Ohio state fair, then travel to Colorado two weeks later for the national tournament. That’s what we need to compete with other countries. We require more competition.”

He expresses particular concern regarding the future of boxing in the Olympics. Until the International Olympic Committee confirmed last March that boxing would be part of the 2028 Games in Los Angeles, there were uncertainties about the sport’s longstanding participation in the quadrennial event.

Tyson’s primary aim is to revitalize boxing in the U.S. While there are occasional significant events, such as the Canelo Alvarez-Terence Crawford unified super middleweight title fight on September 13, which attracted 70,482 spectators at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas,

these high-profile matches only temporarily counter the perception that boxing is struggling at the grassroots level.

“Listen, boxing is dying, and that is what’s driving me,” Tyson stated. “If I can contribute in any way to the revitalization and growth of boxing, I will be satisfied with that.”

This could involve collaborating with UFC CEO and President Dana White, who has a deep appreciation for boxing and has built his mixed martial arts empire. Through TKO, the organization that owns both the UFC and WWE, White has entered into a multiyear partnership with the Saudi General Entertainment Authority and Sela, a subsidiary of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund.

The Alvarez-Crawford event marked their inaugural collaboration under this agreement. Tyson was present among several former boxing legends and celebrities.

While the UFC operates under a centralized structure, boxing is considerably more fragmented, with various sponsoring organizations and promoters competing against one another.

“I kind of like that organization,” Tyson commented regarding the UFC. “It’s just one person managing everything. That might not be feasible for boxing, but I appreciate the concept. In the UFC, if there’s one lackluster fight, the fighter might not remain in the mix. It’s about entertainment. That’s the focus. In [boxing], if a fighter performs poorly, they continue to use him. So that has to be the standard. Either you create exciting matches or you’re not eligible to compete.”

There was no shortage of excitement during Tyson’s career, which culminated in a 50-7 record with 44 knockouts. The self-proclaimed “baddest man on the planet” lived up to his reputation, winning his first 19 professional fights by knockout, 12 of which occurred in the first round.

His bouts became essential viewing, and Tyson approached the ring with a serious demeanor, famously stating, “Everyone has a plan until they get punched.”

“We’re all entertainers, trust me, especially fighters,” Tyson remarked. “If you don’t perform well, people will voice their opinions about you. You may not appreciate it. My role was always to bring joy to the audience as a fighter.”

Now, he is on the lookout for the next Mike Tyson — or rather, multiple Mike Tysons — who can reinvigorate the sport.

His invitational may not be a comprehensive solution, but it could serve as a starting point.

“I was taught as a child, boxing is about putting asses in seats,” Tyson said. “That’s where greatness originates.”