Tyson found himself amidst a whirlwind of chaos as a wave of eager fans rushed past him, each one fueled by excitement and anticipation.
His eyes caught a glimpse of a guy in the front of the crowd, hoisting a bouquet of roses above his head, shouting enthusiastically. "Yo! What's all this shouting for 'Mike'?"
The enthusiastic fan barely acknowledged Tyson, his focus solely on the spectacle. "Man, we're calling Michael! Michael Jackson's out here in Brooklyn! If we don't move quick, we'll miss him!"
Tyson blinked in disbelief.
At first, he was perplexed by the noise, misunderstanding their shouts. But the energy hit him like a thunderbolt — they were raving about the King of Pop!
In that moment, Tyson realized just how powerful a figure Michael Jackson truly was. There weren't many celebrities that could ignite such fervor. The crowd's energy set his heart racing; he could only imagine what his friend Craig would be doing in the midst of such excitement — likely trying to elbow his way through the throngs of fans to catch a glimpse of the legendary artist.
Seated inside the spacious back of their Cadillac, he shared a glance with Teddy, who also had a soft spot for MJ. The two of them soaked in the atmosphere, the noise and the thrill of the chase playing perfectly in the backdrop of their own ambitions.
Once everyone settled in, Teddy took the wheel, while Tyson and the others relaxed. The extended Cadillac, a classic piece of Americana, offered plenty of room for playing cards or simply kicking back and enjoying the ride.
Around the table, Bill and Jimmy were in the middle of a lively discussion, their voices rising above the hum of the engine, while Craig lay back, clearly exhausted, his eyes closing as he drifted off.
Tyson, however, was still charged with adrenaline. He cracked a window, feeling the cool rush of air whip through his hair as thoughts about his impending match against Logan buzzed through his mind.
Logan was a fierce Canadian fighter, someone Tyson respected and knew posed a considerable challenge. He was a fighter with grit and determination, and Tyson recognized the need for a solid game plan if he hoped to claim victory.
He couldn't rely on a quick win against someone so tough; patience would be key. Tyson's strategy was clear: he needed to bulldoze through his competition in order to climb the ranks quickly. He felt no desire to waste over a year working his way through the standard long route of fights before getting a shot at the title.
Tyson's mind was racing as he meticulously plotted how to unsettle Logan as soon as the bell rang, goading him into a reaction that could quickly turn into the advantage he needed. He envisioned luring Logan into a trap, enticing him to act out of character.
Tyson had watched Logan's previous fights closely. The kid had remarkable endurance and showcased a reflexive fighting style that rarely faltered. Unlike most fighters who would buckle under pressure, Logan seemed to embrace it, maintaining a steadfast approach.
While Bill and Jimmy voiced their concerns about fight selection and opponent strength, they didn't fully grasp Tyson's ambition. Their focus was to keep him away from fighters who were too threatening. Little did they know that Tyson's drive was to be seen as a contender long before the year turned.
The stakes were high, and Tyson couldn't help but smirk as he thought about the strategy he had in mind.
---
Three days later, the atmosphere was electric at the weigh-in. Tyson stood steadied, eyes locked on his opponent, as he stepped off the scale. With confidence, he strode toward Logan.
As he approached, he suddenly faked an off-balance moment and nudged Logan lightly, all part of the show.
The crowd erupted, gasping at the unexpected turn of events.
Logan, already agitated, shot back, "You better watch it! I'm gonna wipe that stupid grin off your face!"
Tyson's smirk only widened as he felt the tension rise. He pushed Logan harder, igniting a surge of adrenaline from the audience.
"Your time is up, Logan! Tomorrow, I'm turning you into a footnote for 5,000 fans and millions watching from home! Don't think a referee will save you!" Tyson shouted, fully embracing the fierce banter.
Logan's face went beet red as he lunged, desperate to deliver a pre-emptive strike before stepping into the ring.
The security detail sprang into action, desperately trying to maintain order amid the chaos that erupted.
Tyson raised his hand, refusing to back down. "Snap a photo! You'll want it as a keepsake because after tomorrow, you'll be an afterthought — just another opponent I crushed!"
The crowd watched in anticipation, laughs and cheers echoing around the arena, fully wrapped up in the grand spectacle.
In the midst of the uproar, a sponsor stepped forward, eager to capture Tyson's mindset on camera. "Mike Tyson, your fiery attitude has undoubtedly inflamed the situation. Critics are saying you've crossed the line, showing a lack of decorum."
Tyson grabbed the microphone, ready to deliver an unfiltered response fueled by passion. "Look, I can eat my steak in a fine restaurant, expertly play the piano, and even dance the waltz. But when I step inside that squared circle, it's time for war! This isn't a game of manners; it's about blood and sweat. If anyone thinks I'm here to be polite, they're seriously mistaken. Sportsmanship is just a euphemism for weakness! In this ring, it's about survival! I will crush everyone in my way and then walk over, patting them on the back, and say, 'You gave it your all, but it wasn't good enough.' This is boxing, folks! Only the strong survive!"
The crowd erupted with applause and cheers as Tyson delivered his fiery message. Each word resonated, igniting the spirit of boxing and foreshadowing the electrifying bout to come. He was ready to transform the ring into a battlefield, and no one was going to forget it.