Mike Tyson vs. Kevin McBride

Fight Will Take Place on June 11 at Washington, D.C.'s MCI Center

Washington Post staff writer Mark Schlabach was online Friday, June 10, at 11 a.m. ET to take your predictions, questions and comments the day before the fight between former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson and journeyman Kevin McBride at the MCI Center in Washington, D.C.

The transcript follows.

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Washington, D.C.: What time is the Tyson fight most likely to start?

Mark Schlabach: My past experience says the fight probably won't start until around 11 p.m., making deadlines hellacious. They've got 10 or 11 fights on the undercard, so it's going to be a pretty long night.

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Athens, Ga.: Mark --

Do you see any parallels between this fight and the matchup between the Georgia Bulldogs and the Clemson Tigers on Labor Day night in 1982? I mean they were the last two defending national champions and there was such a hype surrounding that game -- much like the hype surrounding this fight?

Mark Schlabach: Well, much like most Georgia teams in the past 23 years, McBride is a pretender and not a contender, like he said yesterday.

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Washington, D.C.: Boxing is such a scam, it is so corrupted, almost comical!! No one can even name who the current Heavyweight Champion is, I have asked a few folks and they said "I think it's Mike Tyson." Washed-up Tyson is a complete farce and obviously still fighting for all the wrong reasons, no more for the love of the sport but only for the $$$$ that the money he earns is not even his. He should just disappear into the night ...

Mark Schlabach: A lot of people would probably agree with you. However, because the heavyweight division is so watered down right now, with a couple of sensational early knockouts, he could get a title shot pretty quickly and become heavyweight champion of the world again. By the way, John Ruiz is WBA champ; Chris Byrd is IBF champ; and Vitali Klitschko is WBC champ.

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San Diego, Calif.: This may not be a boxing question, but am curious nonetheless.

Mike Tyson was a cradle Catholic, I think, but converted to being Muslim. Does he still practice the latter?

Mark Schlabach: Says he still believes in Jesus Christ but doesn't want to be an overzealous Baptist. Has talked about being a missionary a lot during the last couple of months, possibly in Rwanda, Bosnia or Indonesia.

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Bowie, Md.: Tyson fights are kind of like accidents on 495 -- some people can't help but look. Tyson has the ability (for whatever reason) to maintain an audience. I hope the publicity gets McBride a good fan base and doesn't make him look like a fool or that the fight was fixed. Best of luck to you Kevin.

Mark Schlabach: Some are suggesting that a knockout of Tyson would earn McBride million-dollar paydays and a chance to become the "next great white hope." I'm predicting 90-second knockout, however. By the way, nothing worse than an accident on I-66 and everybody looks, thus, my six-hour commute to and from work.

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Arlington, Va.: Any predictions? Who do you think will win?

Mark Schlabach: I think Tyson knocks him out in the first or second round. You never get what you fully want from a Tyson fight and this one won't last long.

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Arlington, Va.: Is there an undercard for the event, or are the Tyson and Laila Ali fights the only two matches? I've tried to find this basic info, but in vain. The MCI Arena sight doesn't even have a schedule. Just who is promoting this?

Mark Schlabach: Marty Wynn of Raging Promotions is promoting the fight, although Rock Newman seems to be the spokesman and is intimately involved. I'll get the Post to publish the undercard, which consists of about 10 or 11 fights. There are a couple of really good up and coming fighters from the D.C. area who will be fighting.

Women's Super Middleweight Laila Ali v Erin Toughill Welterweight Sharmba Mitchell v Christopher Smith 10

Flyweight Hussein Hussein v Evaristo Primero 10

Heavyweight Tony Thompson v Willie Perryman 8

Light Welterweight Nick Casal v ? 6

Light Welterweight Anthony Peterson v Wayne Fletcher 6

Light Welterweight Lamont Peterson v Jaime Javier Barahona 6

Light Welterweight Joey Van Daniker v Ron Boyd

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Millbrae, Calif.: What about the women fighting in the undercard -- Toughill versus Ali? Will that be a good fight or is Toughill going to be outclassed by a better boxer?

Mark Schlabach: Toughill thinks she can beat her. She hasn't lost since her debut, but I'm not sure she can brawl with Ali. They say they don't like each other so it should be a decent fight if you like women's boxing.

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Wheaton, Md.: Do you think Tyson is scared? McBride is one biiiiiiiiiiiiiig dude!!!

Mark Schlabach: A big and slow dude, from what I've seen and been told. I think Kevin is trying to convince himself he can fight with Tyson, which must explain why he's going to be hynotized before the fight. It will probably go something like this:

Hypnotist: "Kevin, think of a happy place."

McBride: "I see the green hills of Ireland and the soft, white froth of a cold, dark Guiness. When I hit him, he's going to feel like the entire isle of Ireland has hit him."

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Fairfax, Va.: Is the fight at MCI Center sold out? I saw the ticket prices ranging from $700 to $50. Who in their right mind would pay that kind of money? I would rather see Leila Ali fight.

Mark Schlabach: Promoters are telling me they've sold about 11,000-12,500 tickets for the fight. MCI Center holds between 16,000-17,000 for a fight, so there are quite a few tickets left. The promoters are hoping for a big walk-up crowd. As far as the ringside seats, most of them are comps for the fighters and their camps, although I'm being told a lot of the Washington Redskins will be ringside.

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Washington, D.C.: Do you think that with all the hype that Tyson will be a disappointment?

Mark Schlabach: Don't see how he can disappoint against McBride. The Irishman was hand-picked by Tyson's advisers to revive Tyson's career. The kid won't make it past two rounds. Matt Rennie could put up a better fight.

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Louisville, Ky.: Heavyweight boxing isn't what it used to be, but I'm always attracted to the division, especially when people like Lennox Lewis, Tyson, or Klitchko are involved. That said, what will it take to unify the belts? It seems to me that for real significance, the heavyweight champ should BE the heavyweight champ.

Mark Schlabach: It will take someone like Tyson, with a big name, to win one of the three belts and then get a shot at Klitschko or Chris Byrd. But that's not going to happen for at least another year or so.

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Washington, D.C.: Who do you think will win the fight and why?

Mark Schlabach: Tyson will win with a knockout in the first couple of rounds. McBride is too heavy at 271 pounds and can't keep up with Tyson's speed and footwork. McBride hasn't faced a fighter as menacing as McBride and if he needs hypnosis, he isn't ready.

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Bethany Beach, Del.: If Mike T loses this fight should he retire?

Mark Schlabach: He'll be forced to retire because he'll never be paid enough to fight again.

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Sterling, Va.: I could not believe the picture in The Post yesterday of the man with Mike Tyson's image and autograph on his back. Why would anyone admire an animal like Mike Tyson? If Cinderilla Man represents the culture of it's time -- the story of a man overcoming being beaten down by the Depression -- what does the cult following of Mike Tyson tell us about today's culture?

Mark Schlabach: A large portion of the population is enamored with the weird and unusual? In Tyson's defense, he was a big, big international star before the out-of-the-ring problems. He still has a huge following in Scandanavian countries such as Denmark and Sweden, which have journalists here. Then again, the morals and values of some of those countries have been questioned, right?

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Arlington, Va.: From the shots of the weigh-in it looks like McBride has a beer gut and no musculature on his arms to speak of. If this bout turns out to be as big a farce as I expect, is there any chance anyone will be willing to give Mike Tyson another 7-figure payday?

Mark Schlabach: If he knocks him out fast, he'll get a nice payday in his next fight, probably against another no-name. I've heard speculation that he would like to fight Evander Holyfield again and Holyfield wants a rematch. But with Holyfield's current state, and Tyson's camp wanting to get away from Tyson's image of a thug who bites people's ears and legs, it probably won't happen. If Mike wins tomorrow night, he probably fights again this year, like in September or October, and then tries to get a title shot sometime late next year.

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Arlington, Va.: Why do people care about Mike's fights?

Mark Schlabach: Would you rather watch John Ruiz or Chris Byrd? There's a better fight in New York on Saturday night, but how many people have heard of Miguel Cotto? Who's heard of Winky Wright? With Holyfield and Lennox Lewis and Oscar De La Hoya in retirement, there's not another truly big name left out there.

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Arlington, Va.: Are you excited about the fight? Tell us a story about covering fights ... thanks!;

Mark Schlabach: Actually haven't done many of them, but the pre-fight atmosphere is truly electric. At the De La Hoya-Bernard Hopkins fight in Las Vegas last fall, it was neat to see Nicole Kidman, Billy Crystal, Chris Rock and Eric Prisbell sitting ringside. The boxing is fast and sometimes slow, and usually starts very late, which makes my job difficult.

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Fairfax, Va.: Any idea what bars are showing the fight?

Mark Schlabach: Call Mitch Rubin, our boxing editor, he probably has a list of bars showing the fight. It's on pay-per-view so I'm not sure what bars will actually have it.

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Alexandria, Va.: I think Mike Tyson is one of the most charismatic athletes I've ever seen. Sure, I wouldn't want to get the guy angry, and nothing excuses his behavior when he was convicted of rape, but the guy is so much a creature of the media, that I can't help feeling sorry for him. Mark, do you feel the same way?

Mark Schlabach: I don't blame the media for any of Mike's mistakes. He made his own bed. However, I'm sure it was difficult for a young man with a lot of money to grow up in the public eye. He was probably rushed to the ring too soon. And I'm sure some "advisers" fleeced most of his money. But that still doesn't excuse rape, biting ears, etc. I will say he seems to be more mature nowadays.

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Mt. Rainier, Md.: I heard the fight will not be available on TV in the immediate D.C. area (50 miles). Is this true?

Mark Schlabach: We heard that earlier in the week, but Comcast Cable spokespeople told me that the fight is available in the District and they've had no problems with clients being unable to order the fight. If that's not true, be sure to let us know and we'll get to the bottom of it.

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Falls Church, Va.: I see you have little faith in McBride. How was your faith in hand picked tomato can Danny Williams? He seemed to give 'ol Rusty Iron Mike some trouble.

Mark Schlabach: Williams pounded Tyson early. I think Tyson wins the fight if he doesn't tear knee ligaments, however. Mike's fighting for his career and life now. If he loses to another "Tomato Can" this time, he's done forever.

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Washington, D.C. : So how packed will the MCI Center get? What can we expect the scene to be like there?

Mark Schlabach: I don't think it will be as electric as say a fight in Las Vegas, Atlantic City or Madison Square Garden. I think you'll see some celebrities and lots of Redskins sitting close to the ring. I'm sure it will be close a full house by the time Tyson fights.

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Athens, Ga.: Mark --

Have you quoted anyone from Loco's surrounding the hype about this fight?

Mark Schlabach: No but I could really use a Looney Bird about right now.

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Washington, D.C.: I'm not the type to get excited about meeting famous people, but I once had the opportunity to meet two of the great all-time heavyweights, Ken Norton and Joe Fraizer. I was very humbled by the experience. It impressed upon me what "boxing fans" always seem to forget - boxers are people. The superlatives that get thrown around - they're champs or bums, washed up or the greatest ever.

Anyone who gets in the ring with a professional boxer has my respect, and if they don't have yours, you're a moron and a poser. Go watch an Adam Sandler movie and fatasize about your fury carrying you to athletic glory. What professional fighters do takes phenomenal skill and courage.

Mike Tyson is earning his money tomorrow night and McBride his too.

Mark Schlabach: Don't get me wrong. Tyson was and is one of the greatest athletes of our generation. I can remember being in high school when he was knocking out opponents in 19 seconds. The guys was one of the best heavyweights of all time. But like a lot of fighters, he has stuck around too long, at least that's my opinion. I give McBride a lot of credit for stepping in the ring with him, I wouldn't, but I still don't think he has much of a chance.

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Washington D.C.: Besides Tyson and Ali, who else is on the ticket for tomorrow night at MCI Center? and when do you think the Ali and Tyson fights will actually begin?

Mark Schlabach: The undercard was published higher up. Ali 10 or so, Tyson 11 or 11:30? Just a guess.

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Washington, D.C.: When Tyson said in his press conference, "Get ready D.C., it's gonna be a train wreck" do you think there will be violence in the arena amongst fans?? The element that draws to Mike Tyson fights is a bit frightening, even downright scary, (I was at the Tyson/Holyfield fight during the infamous ear bite, and there were gunshots fired in the casino by outraged fans).

Mark Schlabach: Boxing seems to draw some of that element. Hopefully, security will do a good job of keeping things in order. With Tyson, fight fans never seem to get what they want. The fight is either over in 30 seconds or ends in controversy. Hopefully, it's a decent fight for a few rounds before he knocks him out.

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Laurel, Md.: This is why I can't stand boxing -- it's all about how many fans the promoters can interest in a particular bout, even if the fighters are more popular than good.

Is anyone trying to re-organize boxing as if it's a real sports league -- whoever wins in the playoffs goes to the Super Bowl. It doesn't matter how many people WANT to see Dallas in it.

Mark Schlabach: No, if that were the case, Notre Dame would be playing in the BCS Championship Game every year and that's not happening anytime soon. The promoters and managers run boxing, and the commissions are powerless. It's all about Ben Franklins.

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Dublin, Eire: Hmm, we're sitting in the office here looking at pictures of McBride the 'pretender'. To us he looks more like a 'paddyender', a real guiness gut!

Briefly, what's McBride's background, where's he from and how'd he end up here?

Mark Schlabach: Kevin "The Clones Colossus" McBride has a record of 32 Wins, 4 Losses, 1 Draw, 27 Knockouts. He was born and raised in Clones, Ireland and now trains in Brockton, Mass., home of former champ "Marvelous" Marvin Hagler. He used to spar with Peter McNeeley and has made his living by beating lesser heavyweights. Lost to a guy who went on to lose his next 18 fights. But all joking aside, he really is a nice kid who has the guts to step in the ring with Tyson.

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Beautiful Silver Spring, Md.: "At the De La Hoya-Bernard Hopkins fight in Las Vegas last fall, it was neat to see Nicole Kidman, Billy Crystal, Chris Rock and Eric Prisbell sitting ringside."

Was Kidman trying to get Prisbell's number? Come on, you can tell us.

Mark Schlabach: Prisbell's happily engaged these days, from what I understand.

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Rockville, Md.: I read somewhere in the paper that, as part of his bankruptcy bail-out plan, Mike Tyson needs to fight at least six times the next few years. Do you think he'll be able to do that?

Mark Schlabach: He'd have to win at least his next four. The bankruptcy lawyers are banking on $73 million in purses through seven fights. That seems pretty unrealistic.

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Fairfax, Va.: Any chance you could get The Post to place Mitch Rubin's list of bars showing the fight online? I'm guessing he mightn't be appreciative of the entirety of the metro region's fan base calling him incessantly for the info (although it might be a good practical joke).

Mark Schlabach: I'll see what I can do. I'm sure there are a couple of other editors down there who could help him out. At least I didn't publish his direct office line, which I still could do, I guess.

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San Diego, Calif.: Any site where this can be viewed in streaming video? CS

Mark Schlabach: The fight or this chat? I haven't washed my hair yet today. Still wearing a dirty Masters cap. (no streaming video of the fight, as far as I know).

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Arlington, Va.: Is it true that D.C. Metro Police will have its SWAT Team on hand in case of any trouble before, during, or after the fight?? I heard from a friend in the Department that SWAT would be in the tunnel at MCI in case of trouble.

Mark Schlabach: nice tip. we'll check on it. i'm sure there will be ample security on hand.

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Washington, D.C.: My boyfriend got tickets -- what should I wear?

Mark Schlabach: more than the ring card girls, from what I've been told. heard they won't be wearing much at all.

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Succasunna, N.J.: Will we see a Pacquiao-Morales rematch this year?

Mark Schlabach: Pacquiao is set to square off with Australian Robbie "Bomber" Peden in September, so I don't if we'll see a rematch with Morales this year.

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Anonymous: So if McBride wins ... will people go crazy?

Mark Schlabach: they'll be in shock, i would expect.

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Mark Schlabach: Thanks everybody. Enjoyed it. Have a great night at the fights if you're going.

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