Mike Tyson excited and clueless about new Chinese ambassador role
Mike Tyson, who sports a tattoo of Chairman Mao on his right shoulder, will spend the month of December being an unofficial boxing ambassador in China.
The boxer, once considered to be a very vicious man, will be offering his services and promoting boxing’s gospel to those interested, after sealing a deal with a major Chinese company, Tianjin International Sports Development.
"I didn't even know what an ambassador really was," Tyson said. "When I think of ambassadors, I think of living off government money and jet-setting with girlfriends."
Tyson will do neither for the time being, as he is expecting a baby boy early next year.
A formal plan for his trip has yet to be worked out, but Tyson is slated to visit various Chinese cities and scout fighters for a series of matches in the city of Tianjin.
"I know he wants to see Chairman Mao's body," Gary Yang said, an executive with Tianjin International Sports Development in China.
Tyson’s Mao tattoo comes from the early days of his three year period in prison for rape. He stated publicly that the tattoo, along with another one of revolutionary Che Guevera, was inspired by a period of intense disillusion with American capitalism and
culture.
In regards to the series of events, promoter Sterling McPherson said, "Mike hasn't been brought up to speed really. But if Mike likes what he sees there can be many, many more trips to China."
At a press conference yesterday to promote the trip, a reporter asked if representatives could talk about what the trip itself will contain in terms of scheduled events. Tyson replied, "...yeah, tell me, I’m pretty interested....I’m just as clueless as you.
But I’m an ambassador, so I should have some say."
"Chinese people just love Mr. Tyson," Yang responded. "He's above (Muhammad) Ali there, though I shouldn't say that."
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