Tyson stripped of title

Press, 24 March 1988, Page 38

Tyson stripped of title

NZPA-AP New York Heavyweight j champion Mike Tyson has [been stripped of his title by the International Boxing Federation, the “New York Times” reported. Sy Roseman; the public relations director for the 1.8. F., said Tyson forfeited the title on Monday when he entered the ring for his defence against | Tony Tubbs without the 1.8. F. belt, according (o the report. Tyson, after (wearing only his World Boxing Council and World Boxing! Association

belts into t[he ring, stopped the] challenger, Tony Tubbs, with six seconds left in the second round.! !,! I I Tyson’s manager, Bill Cayton, was told before the fight by j the 1.8. F. championship committee chairman, Bill Brennan, that : the title would be vacated if the champion 1 failed to wear the organisation’s belt into the ring, Mr Roseman said. Mr Cayton said Tyson did not'wear the belt and that no sanction fee was paid to trie 1.8. F. because he did not want to embarrass the Japanese. The Japan Boxing Com-

mission does not recognise the LB.FI I j | ' Asked before the stripping what he |i would do l if it occurred, Tyson said, "I’ll win it back again.” ; . j| i Mr Roseman said 1 the 1.8.F.’s leading contenders, Trevor Betaick and Car! Williams, would fight for the vacated I title, the '“Times" reported. ]| Tyson earned the first portion of his undisputed title from Berbick, then the W.B.C. champion, with a secondround; knockout on November 22, 1986. i " II h • Hi i' -