Tyson Insists He Is Retiring to Save Family

NEW YORK —  Saying that he wants to save his family, Mike Tyson, undefeated heavyweight champion, insists that he is retiring although some close to him are not convinced.

Tyson, who will turn 22 today, said in Wednesday’s New York Post, “You can’t never say never. But as of today, I am retired.”

Tyson, who has won all 35 of his professional fights, 31 by knockout, recorded a devastating first-round knockout Monday night over previously unbeaten Michael Spinks at Atlantic City, N.J. Tyson will make about $20 million from the bout, the biggest earnings of his career.

But Tyson’s much-publicized personal strife with his family and his manager, Bill Cayton, has caused him to reevaluate his career.

“I’m willing to sacrifice, to give up boxing to save my family,” Tyson said at his home in Bernardsville, N.J. “I just feel it’s the best thing to do.

“The difference in my personal and professional lives is so vastly different. I’m depressed. I’m unhappy. Losing a baby like that (his wife, actress Robin Givens, recently had a miscarriage), when you’re trying to fight, is very sad. After getting married, after losing my first child, I have different priorities. Losing my first child, that was hell.”

Tyson added that his inexperience in handling personal tragedies such as losing a baby put his “wife through a lot of stress.”

“I had fun,” he said. “Boxing was good to me, but nothing lasts forever. After this fight I thought it over. I decided it’s time to move on.”

Tyson, also inexperienced in handling business affairs, is engaged in a legal entanglement with Cayton.

Tyson has filed suit against Cayton, contending he was duped into signing a four-year contract with Cayton and the late Jimmy Jacobs, shortly before Jacobs died in March. Tyson maintains in the suit that Cayton is not entitled to share in the money he will receive from the Spinks fight.

Kevin Rooney, Tyson’s trainer, was surprised at the retirement story.

“If he wants to retire, fine. If he wants to fight and he wants me as as his trainer, that’s also fine,” Rooney said. “But I think Bill Cayton should be his manager. He is an honest man. He gives you his word. I don’t care if you don’t like somebody or whatever. This is a business.”

Tyson said he “heard (promoter) Don King and his guys laughing” when he made the comment about retiring after the Spinks fight.

“When he finds out I’m serious, he won’t be laughing,” Tyson said.

King was quoted in Wednesday’s New York Times as saying, “I think Mike Tyson needs a rest, which is what he calls retirement. He’s fought for three years nonstop.”

He was tentatively set to fight England’s Frank Bruno Sept. 3 in London.

Jose Torres, a former world light heavyweight champion who is Tyson’s close friend, said he was confident the Bruno fight would be held. “He’s going to fight Sept. 3,” Torres said. “I’m positive.”

Tyson, however, told the Post: “This is no way to live. I’ve had fun. I live to fight when I’m in that ring. But . . . I’m not a happy guy. It’s my nature, I guess. . . . I’m moody. I know people will think I’ll come back.

“They think I can’t stay retired. But I can do it. If I want to do it, even though I love it. I can stop fighting cold turkey.”