Mike Tyson for HBO ?

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/m...-05-15_tyson_would_be_perfect_after_dark.html

Mike Tyson would be perfect choice to replace Lennox Lewis on HBO's 'Boxing After Dark'

Bob Raissman
Saturday, May 15th 2010, 5:44 PM


Mike Tyson would bring instant buzz to HBO's 'Boxing After Dark' broadcast team.




HBO Sports "Boxing After Dark's" broadcast team got a lot smaller with the recent departure of Lennox Lewis. Let's face it, the rest of the crew - Bob Papa and MeMax Kellerman - doesn't take up much space.
It also can't punch like Lewis and doesn't have the megawatt star power the former heavyweight champion has. That's why Saturday night, in The Theater at Madison Square Garden (HBO was airing a "BAD" card there) there likely wasn't a crowd of autograph seekers around HBO's blow-by-blow table.
So now it will be up to HBO Sports boss Ross Greenburg, and executive producer Rick Bernstein, to find a new "BAD" analyst with both charisma and boxing smarts.
There's a guy out there capable of delivering that one-two punch and a lot more - Mike Tyson. That's who HBO should target.
This artist, formerly known as "Iron Mike," will bring an instant buzz to the production, a quality that has been lacking. Lewis brought a likable presence, but never was excited about the gig or totally prepared to deliver insights.
With Tyson behind the mike, there would be strong, controversial opinions from a guy never shy about saying what's on his mind. Tyson would also bring, as he did throughout his turbulent career in the ring, a historical perspective of the sweet science. He also might be able to get more out of Kellerman.
Tyson's unpredictable nature may make HBO's execs queasy about hiring him. It's not like they are strangers. Greenburg and Bernstein worked with Tyson when he was an HBO fighter. Tyson has TV experience. He's done several analyst cameos.
Tyson should at least get an on-air audition (the next "BAD" card is in July). If nothing else, the network would get a one-night spike in its "BAD" ratings.
CHILLING OUT
Media feet are planted on that Super Bowl XLVIII (2014) to the Meadowlands bandwagon.
Giants/Jets suits have the pom-poms out. Freezing miserable weather? No biggie. These are hearty types (who will be warm in their luxury suites).
Jonathan Tisch, the Giants treasurer, told Bloomberg TV: "It's a little cold, but that's why they invented mittens. That's why they invented hand warmers. The experience would be so amazing."
Fine, here's the deal. On Feb. 6, 2011 - the next Super Bowl Sunday - we should meet in the parking lot of the Meadowlands at 1 p.m. and stand outside for three hours. That's about the time it will take for us to bask in the imaginary pregame carnival, get through the imaginary crowds and be processed by imaginary security.