Tyson-Savarese Report

Francis Walker

Tyson KOs Savarese,
Judah Retains Junior-Welter Title

On Saturday, June 24 from Glasgow, Scotland, Mike Tyson (48-3-1, 1 No-Contest, 41KOs) took just 38 seconds of the first round to trash Lou Savarese (39-4, 32KOs). In the co-feature: IBF junior welterweight champ, Zab Judah (23-0-1, 17KOs) won a lopsided decision against Junior Witter (15-1-2, 4KOs).

The Tyson/Judah championship boxing doubleheader, promoted by Frank Warren's Sports Network, was televised exclusively on all Showtime outlets, via tape-delay.

At age 33, time is running out for an aging Tyson. The former Undisputed World Heavyweight Champ, making his fourth appearance since his disqualification loss to Evander Holyfield and a one-year ban from boxing in 1997, Tyson is on a mission to reclaim his throne currently held by Lennox Lewis.

Along the way, Tyson is trying to build his skills and conditioning and unfortunately for Savarese, the big 6' 3," 240-pound Bronx, New York native was in the former champion's path.

Eleven seconds into the contest, Tyson countered a left jab from Savarese who went down on a left hook counter to his temple. Seconds after Savarese returned to his feet, Tyson launched an incredible rage of fury that backed Savarese into the ropes. Tyson lost control with Savarese after the bout was waved off.

Tyson, risking disqualification again by throwing punches after the stoppage, called out Lewis.

Making the first defense of the IBF 140-pound title he won in March, Judah, a 22-year-old native of Brooklyn, New York, retained his title by defeating an undefeated challenger. Although Witter did nothing but hit air and back-pedal the majority of the contest, he did catch Judah with a couple of good straight-right hand counters. However, Witter did not fight cleanly, as he tagged Judah with unnecessary rabbit punches behind the back of his head, and a couple of low blows.

Timing was everything, as Judah remained calm and kept his game plan at heart; applying relentless pressure behind solid defense and speed. Judah's sharp reflexes, head movement, and effective combination-punching sent Witter backward throughout the entire bout. Judah was too powerful with his left hooks and straight-rights that caught Witter flush on his chin.

Judah hit Wittter so hard with his right; his mouthpiece flew out of his mouth on in the fourth round.

Tempted to separate Witter's head from his shoulders in the latter rounds, Judah was unable to catch the challenger with his unattainable aggressiveness.

At the end of the contest, all three judges scored the bout 118-110, 118-111, and 116-112 for Judah.

Judah is scheduled to return on August 5, to defend against former IBF junior welterweight champ, Terronn Millett.