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In the works Promoters arranging Tyson-Izon fight
AUBURN HILLS, Mich. (AP) -- Promoters say they are working on plans for a September fight between Mike Tyson and David Izon at The Palace of Auburn Hills. The fight would be Sept. 8 or 9, the Detroit Free Press, The Detroit News and Pensacola News Journal reported in Thursday editions. Izon, a 1992 Olympic silver medalist from Nigeria now living in Pensacola, told the News Journal he had signed a letter of agreement to fight Tyson for $650,000. "He's beatable," Izon said. "Maybe they feel I'm no threat to him. That's why they chose me." Showtime spokeswoman Robin Walker said details are still under discussion but that officials of the cable network were hoping to have something officials at the end of the week. "All I can say at this point is that there have been discussions, and we'd like to see the event here," said Stu Mayer, senior vice president of Palace Sports & Entertainment. Tyson (48-3 with 42 knockouts) took 38 seconds June 24 to beat Lou Savarese on a technical knockout in Glasgow, Scotland. Izon is 26-3 with 22 knockouts. He knocked out Savarese in 1997. Michigan boxing commissioner David Sebastian said his panel would examine whether Tyson should be allowed to fight in the state. "Mike Tyson fighting in the Detroit area isn't going to be rubber-stamped in Michigan," Sebastian said. "Not as long as I'm going to be chairman of the state boxing commission. "We want some answers to questions that have arisen from his conduct in the ring. There have been a number of unsportsmanlike activities associated with Mr. Tyson. We want to be very sure that conduct will not be repeated in the state of Michigan." Pensacola lawyer Fred Levin, who also represents light heavyweight champion Roy Jones Jr., negotiated the contract on behalf of Izon, who had been hoping for a $1 million payday although the $650,000 purse would be the highest of his career. "I understand what David's saying," Levin said. "But look around. How many fighters make $650,000?" Izon was scheduled to make $10,000 fighting Saturday in Tunica, Miss., but the bout against Rocky Phillips was canceled so Izon could train for Tyson.
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