Tyson's tattoo

Experts say facial design poses little medical risk

Climbing into a boxing ring with a fresh tattoo on your face doesn't sound like the smartest thing, but then Mike Tyson is a fighter, not a Rhodes scholar.

Iron Mike isn’t putting himself at much medical risk, though. Nor is opponent Clifford Etienne in any danger -- at least not from the tribal design encircling Tyson’s left eye.

According to medical officials and tattoo experts, it might hurt a tad more than usual if Tyson gets whacked on the tender skin. And the artwork could be damaged if Tyson absorbs any cuts around that eye. But that's all.

“The medical issues associated with getting a tattoo are real, but they’re very small," said a physician who serves on a state boxing commission. "Here, there’s really no medical issue. It’s just that Tyson stands a good chance of ruining the tattoo if he takes a punch."

In his odd pre-fight behavior, Tyson quit training last week in Las Vegas to get a large, black tattoo on the left side of his face. It’s believed he hasn’t set foot in the gym since, and when he faces Etienne on Saturday night in Memphis the tattoo will be 10 days old.

Should a fighter box with a fresh tattoo on his face? It’s a question, not surprisingly, that state boxing commissions have never had to face.

Tennessee requires that a fighter pass a pre-fight physical, including an exam for infectious eye and skin diseases, but that’s as close as it comes to addressing facial tattoos. If all goes according to schedule, Tyson will be examined before Thursday's weigh-in in Tunica, Miss.

Mike Tyson's tattoo won't hurt his face any more than Clifford Etienne might. AP

“I would assume a physician, using his professional discretion, would look at a fresh tattoo and consider whether he believes that a blow to the face or repeated blows to the face would be inadvisable," said Paula Wade, spokesperson for the Tennessee Boxing and Racing Commission.

Tattoo artists say Tyson’s facial design should pass the test.

“I don’t think he’s at greater risk to having a cut, but it definitely would be awfully sore," said Mike Cunningham, manager of Alien Touch Tattoo in Atlanta. “If he’s fighting and starts getting whacked in this tribal piece of art he has stuck on his face, he’s more apt to feel the pain."

While most tattoos heal in a week to 10 days, say artists, boxers should probably give them a little more time.

“If something were to happen, it would be more damage to the tattoo than anything," said Jason Natas, an artist at the Skin Factory in Las Vegas. “Then, you have to let it heal up. If it requires stitches on the face, you fix the tattoo later."

Mike Fish is a senior writer for SI.com.

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