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American Morning

Interview of Rock Newman, Boxing Promoter

Aired February 21, 2002 - 09:47   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
ANDERSON COOPER, CNN ANCHOR: The big question this hour: Should Mike Tyson be allowed to fight again? The Washington, D.C. Boxing Commission has granted Tyson a license, paving the way for a potential blockbuster title fight in the nation's capital between Iron Mike and Lennox Lewis.

Tyson has been shopping for a place to fight ever since an ugly pre-fight news conference turned into an all-out brawl between the Lewis and Tyson camps, and Nevada turned down his bid for a license. But did the D.C. commission's decision represent a win by decadence over decency? Here is what some there think.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: If Nevada doesn't want him, the gaming capital of the world, why should we have him here?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Do you think Mike Tyson should be allowed to box here in D.C.?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I don't think so. It would bring a lot of revenue to this city, but I think -- just given -- Tyson, the way he has behaved, would cast a shadow on the city, and I they have been trying to dig a hole and portray a certain image, and I don't think it would be good for this city's image.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Hey, he is going to bring money to the town, why not?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: If it going to bring money to Washington, D.C., it doesn't bother me.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I think if it brings in jobs and additional money, I don't see why not. I don't think he should be fighting at all, but if he is going to fight, then, I don't see why it shouldn't be here.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COOPER: Joining us now with his take on Tyson, boxing promoter Rock Newman in Washington. Thanks very much for being with us, Mr. Newman.

ROCK NEWMAN, BOXING PROMOTER: Thank you. COOPER: Mike Tyson fighting in Washington, D.C. Is this a victory of money over morals?

NEWMAN: You know, I don't that that's the case at all. First of all, the report at the beginning was a little erroneous. It said the Boxing and Wrestling Commission had granted a license. What they have done is decided to review his application rather than just summarily reject it. I think that is a rather wise and courageous and fair thing to do. I don't think the nation's capital should be controlled by what everyone else does, that because Nevada or some other state denied Tyson, that they should fall lockstep in line with that behavior.

COOPER: There are a lot of people who say, look, Mike Tyson is a man who was convicted of rape. He bit Evander Holyfield's ear. There are two allegations of rape now in Nevada that authorities are looking into. Who knows what sort of medication he is on, if any, in fact, at all. Is he simply too violent to fight?

NEWMAN: Well, I'll tell you what, what I do believe is that their passionate and real and good arguments on both sides of the equation. Again, I think -- something very important to be aware of, is the conditions -- are the conditions that the commission in Washington, D.C. seem to be putting forward, that Tyson must come in for an interview. They are going to do an exhaustive examination of his physical health and his psychological well-being and further, if they grant him a license, require some monitoring up to and through the time of the fight. I think those are prudent and wise steps to take to do the best they can to insure that nothing untoward happens.

COOPER: Right. But you know as well as anybody that this is a money decision. This city is thinking as much -- this fight could gross as much as $200 million.

NEWMAN: Well, you know, the same thing was said for Nevada, that unquestionably, you know, the so-called sin capital of the world was going to make a decision and everyone assumed that because of the enormous money that they would vote thumbs up. They shocked people and voted thumbs down. So -- and they were applauded for the moral stand that they took. You know, I think, right here, right now, with what this commission is doing, saying that it will review the application, is fair in the initial stages of the process.

To make a decision one way or the another, the commission, the mayor, and everyone involved is going to get criticized. I don't think that any of us should think we have an exclusive on exactly what is right, but opinion is very strong in both directions.

COOPER: Does politics play a role in this? Some people are saying, look, this isn't just a money decision, that there is a political aspect to this as well, that this is way for Washington's mayor to shore up support among African-American males in the District.

NEWMAN: I think that this is multifaceted question, and we can examine many different aspects of it. It is economics involved, it is politics involved, it's morality involved, and it makes a very interesting debate. Thanks for having me on.

COOPER: Well, how are you involved in this? I know you're from Nevada, you seem to be down in D.C. and a lot of people seem to be listening to what you have to say to them.

NEWMAN: Well, my partners Nate Peak (ph) and Jeff Reid (ph) and I were in Washington, D.C. actually participating in something else, one of the guys that we represent, Steve Francis, is with the Houston Rockets and he played here over the weekend. So I just happened to be in town, and this controversy seems to bloom, and I haven't been able to get a flight out since.

COOPER: You just happen to be in town, huh? That is a pretty big coincidence there. Just one more question, you know, we talked about this fight potentially grossing more than $200 million. Surprisingly, though, a lot of hotel owners in the city don't want the fight to take place. And you would think hotel owners would benefit from this. They are saying it is going to give the city of Washington a black eye.

NEWMAN: Let me tell you something. What's been very interesting -- I've done a lot of shows, and I've been on shows where people have been -- my adversaries have been very critical that I might support something like this, on camera. As soon as I've stepped off camera, those critics of the fight and critics of Tyson, said, hey now, if this fight's coming here, can you help me get some good seats? So there is raging hypocrisy out here. Again, it's an interesting debate.

Tyson has always been a lightning rod for controversy, and I think the mere fact that we are having this kind of debate, you know, is healthy for us to examine how do we really feel about these issues. You know, should a guy get a second and third and fourth chance? Should we say to him, you no longer have a career because of you past behavior? It is a very healthy debate.

COOPER: Rock, we got to -- we got to leave it there this morning. We do appreciate you coming in. I will not hit you up for tickets this morning. Still to come -- thanks very much, Rock Newman.

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