By Bill Berkrot
NEW YORK: Mike Tyson’s title defense against Briton Frank Bruno was postponed again because no settlement has been reached in a dispute between the Champion’s Manager, Bill Cayton, and promoter Don King, Cayton said on Wednesday,
Cayton denied that the latest setback has anything to do with the Heavyweight Champion being out of shape, Though he admitted that Tyson was far from his best form, Cayton said that would not have held up the fight,
He’s very overweight. I’ve never seen him as overweight as he is now. But the fact is that I did not say Mike needs extra time because in seven weeks he has always had the ability to get into shape.
“The most important thing now is to get Mike back into training,” Cayton told reporters.
‘The bout, which had been set for January 14, in Las Vegas, was put off for a fifth time because an agreement has not been reached over rights to promote Tyson’s fights, the heavyweight Champion’s manager said.
Cayton said Tyson’s Lawyer, Howard Weitzman, insisted that the promotional dispute be settled, “before the Bruno fight should go forward.”
Cayton’s feud with the flamboyant promoter stems from a four-year contract Tyson signed giving King exclusive rights to promote the Champion’s fights, The deal was made without consulting Cayton and he has refused to give his consent.
“I can’t let him (Tyson) get involved in a four-year contract as onerous as this one with King,” Cayton said,
“It’s in his worst interest and boxing’s worst interest.”
Article extracted from this publication >> December 2, 1988
