Mike Tyson to Attend Nevada Hall of Fame Gala on Aug 10

LAS VEGAS, July 26, 2013 — Former undisputed heavyweight champion Mike Tyson, who went from reform school to become known as “the baddest man on the planet,” has announced that he will attend the Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame’s inaugural induction gala on Saturday, August 10 at the Monte Carlo Resort in Las Vegas.

A member of the International Boxing Hall of Fame, Tyson is one of three Nevada resident boxers who make up the NVBHOF’s initial class of 19. The others are Mike McCallum, who will attend the ceremony, and the late Diego “Chico” Corrales. Corrales’ wife, Michelle, will accept the award in his memory.

Tyson knocked out Trevor Berbick in the second round at the Las Vegas Hilton on Nov. 22, 1986, to become, at 20, the youngest heavyweight champion in history. “Iron” Mike fought many of his most significant bouts in the Silver State and went 13-2 with nine knockouts in Nevada.

In his legendary career, Tyson was 50-6 with 44 KOs.

“I am truly honored by this induction,” said Tyson, a resident of Henderson, Nev. “It’s an extraordinary feeling to be recognized for my accomplishments by the Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame. It’s very nostalgic at this stage of my life to look back with dignity on my career and how much the state of Nevada has contributed to my legacy.”

McCallum, who is also a member of the International Boxing Hall of Fame, was 6-1 in seven fights in Nevada. The signature win over his career was a devastating, one-punch knockout of Donald Curry at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas in 1987.

McCallum turned pro in Las Vegas, defeating Rigoberto Lopez with a fourth-round knockout in 1981.

Corrales, who died tragically in a motor vehicle accident in 2007, was one of boxing’s top action fighters of the late 1990s and early 2000s. He knocked out Jose Luis Castillo in the 10^th around of a lightweight title fight at Mandalay Bay in 2005 that is regarded by many who saw it as one of the greatest bouts in boxing history.

Corrales was knocked down twice in the 10^th round of that fight, and seemed to be on the verge of being stopped, when he arose and hit Castillo with a big right that hurt the Mexican star. Corrales, one of the game’s best finishers, put an end to the bout with a brutal display of power punching.

He ended his career with a 40-5 record and 33 knockouts.

Tyson, McCallum and Corrales are among 19 inductees in eight categories who will be honored at the much anticipated gala dinner.

Other notable fighters who plan to attend include ex-heavyweight champion Larry Holmes and former multi-division world champion Julio César Chávez Sr. Both men were chosen in the non-Nevada resident category.

The Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame is an IRS 501-c-3 non-profit organization that was founded in 2012 by noted broadcaster Rich Marotta. Tickets for the gala and donations are tax deductible to the extent permitted by law.

Tickets in the $250 category are sold out, but tickets at $150 and $50 are still available. The $150 tickets include dinner, but the $50 tickets do not.

For more information on the Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame and its mission, visit its website athttp://www.nvbhof.com. The Hall also has a social media presence on Twitter at @nvbhof and on Facebook at Facebook.com/nvbhof.

For more information on the dinner or any of the Hall’s activities, phone 775-384-1903.