It is the moment fans relish and opponents fear: the lights go out and a spotlight beams on boxer Mike Tyson as he enters the arena.
Throughout his career, Tyson underscored that dark imagery with stark and menacing music, warning adversaries of the pain to come.
But for his latest comeback fight, Tyson decided to switch things up.
At the Saturday, November 28 exhibition against Ray Jones Jr, the goosebump-inducing spectacle of Tyson’s arrival was anything but.
Instead of the usual ominous score, we were assaulted with the cheesy EDM sounds of I'm Mike Tyson by US producers Tiki Lau.
It was a bum note. It was too flashy and celebratory – twin attributes that don’t vibe with Tyson’s cold-as-ice approach to combat.
While it is a far stretch to link the musical misfire with the match result (a draw), you can’t overstate the importance Tyson’s entry music has in psychologically spooking his opponents.
Just ask poor Michael Spinks. The US boxer had to witness one of the most chilling entrances in boxing history.
On June 27, 1988, Tyson marauded into Convention Hall in Atlantic City accompanied by a dissonant noise that was occasionally punctured by the clanging of chains.
Composed by Tom Alonso, the piece was as nightmarish as it was effective. Spinks was knocked out in 91 seconds.
While Tyson rarely used that track again, it partly formed the sonic blueprint for future entrances, a tactic that mostly relied on hip-hop tracks.
While out on parole, Tyson looped the thunderous refrain of "it's time for some action" from rapper Redman's Time 4 Sum Aksion for his 1995 comeback fight against US boxer Peter "Hurricane" McNeeley. Tyson fulfilled the track's promise with the fight lasting 89 seconds.
For his knockout of South Africa's Francois Botha in 1999, Tyson went gothic as he entered the MGM Garden Arena in Las Vegas to the sounds of church bells, dark synths and the growls of rapper DMX in the track Intro (It's Dark & Hell is Hot).
The rare time Tyson picked a lighter music piece – if you can call it that – was for his 1996 bout with veteran British fighter Frank Bruno.
Tyson strode into the MGM Garden Arena to the funky bass lines and, yes, flutes of Tupac's Road to Glory, a piece the rapper wrote specifically for the fight.
It was hard to know which was more intimidating for Bruno: Tyson giving him a cold stare when sliding into the ring, or Tupac hectoring him in the chorus: “Throw your hands up, Mr Bruno / Big Mike Tyson 'bout to brutalise (you) tonight / No hesitation, in front of the whole nation.”
The whole situation unnerved Bruno. The fight was called off by the referee after Bruno received a vicious 13-punch combination. That match might have ended in the fifth round, but according to Tyson, it was another victory he smelt before the sound of the opening bell.
In describing his lead-up to fights, Tyson has explained that all aspects, from the music to his demeanour, are designed to unsettle his opponent.
"A lot of the guys who got intimidated lost the fight before they even got hit," he said. "I never take my eyes off my opponent ... once I see a chink in his armour, like him looking away for one tenth of a second, then I know I have them."
While it can be argued that Tyson lost that killer instinct over the years, he remains a boxer fit for any occasion.
On that note, perhaps the use of the insipid yet catchy I'm Mike Tyson for the Roy Jones Jr fight was a tactical decision after all. With no sporting glory to play for, Tyson wanted the exhibition match to be more fun than furious.
On that score, he can chalk up the event as another victory.
"I'm glad I got this [fight] under my belt,” he said afterwards. “I entertained the crowd.”
The biog
Name: Shamsa Hassan Safar
Nationality: Emirati
Education: Degree in emergency medical services at Higher Colleges of Technology
Favourite book: Between two hearts- Arabic novels
Favourite music: Mohammed Abdu and modern Arabic songs
Favourite way to spend time off: Family visits and spending time with friends
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What sanctions would be reimposed?
Under ‘snapback’, measures imposed on Iran by the UN Security Council in six resolutions would be restored, including:
- An arms embargo
- A ban on uranium enrichment and reprocessing
- A ban on launches and other activities with ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons, as well as ballistic missile technology transfer and technical assistance
- A targeted global asset freeze and travel ban on Iranian individuals and entities
- Authorisation for countries to inspect Iran Air Cargo and Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines cargoes for banned goods
The specs
Engine: Direct injection 4-cylinder 1.4-litre
Power: 150hp
Torque: 250Nm
Price: From Dh139,000
On sale: Now
THURSDAY'S FIXTURES
4pm Maratha Arabians v Northern Warriors
6.15pm Deccan Gladiators v Pune Devils
8.30pm Delhi Bulls v Bangla Tigers
The specs
Engine: 1.4-litre 4-cylinder turbo
Power: 180hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 250Nm at 3,00rpm
Transmission: 5-speed sequential auto
Price: From Dh139,995
On sale: now
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
Manchester United v Liverpool
Premier League, kick off 7.30pm (UAE)
The specs
Engine: Two permanent-magnet synchronous AC motors
Transmission: two-speed
Power: 671hp
Torque: 849Nm
Range: 456km
Price: from Dh437,900
On sale: now
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Results
5pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (Turf) 2,200m; Winner: Gurm, Antonio Fresu (jockey), Eric Lemartinel (trainer)
5.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: Al Nafece, Al Muatasm Al Balushi, Mohammed Ramadan
6pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (T) 1,200m; Winner: Ashton Tourettes, Adrie de Vries, Ibrahim Aseel
6.30pm: Arabian Triple Crown – Group 3 (PA) Dh300,000 (T) 2,200m; Winner: Ottoman, Adrie de Vries, Abdallah Al Hammadi
7pm: Liwa Oasis – Group 2 (PA) 300,000 (T) 1,400m; Winner: Hakeemat Muscat, Szczepan Mazur, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami
7.30pm: Handicap (TB) Dh80,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: Ganbaru, Antonio Fresu, Musabah Al Muhairi
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Pros%20and%20cons%20of%20BNPL
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EPros%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cul%3E%0A%3Cli%3EEasy%20to%20use%20and%20require%20less%20rigorous%20credit%20checks%20than%20traditional%20credit%20options%0D%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EOffers%20the%20ability%20to%20spread%20the%20cost%20of%20purchases%20over%20time%2C%20often%20interest-free%0D%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EConvenient%20and%20can%20be%20integrated%20directly%20into%20the%20checkout%20process%2C%20useful%20for%20online%20shopping%0D%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EHelps%20facilitate%20cash%20flow%20planning%20when%20used%20wisely%0D%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3C%2Ful%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECons%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cul%3E%0A%3Cli%3EThe%20ease%20of%20making%20purchases%20can%20lead%20to%20overspending%20and%20accumulation%20of%20debt%0D%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EMissing%20payments%20can%20result%20in%20hefty%20fees%20and%2C%20in%20some%20cases%2C%20high%20interest%20rates%20after%20an%20initial%20interest-free%20period%0D%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EFailure%20to%20make%20payments%20can%20impact%20credit%20score%20negatively%0D%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3ERefunds%20can%20be%20complicated%20and%20delayed%0D%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3C%2Ful%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cem%3ECourtesy%3A%20Carol%20Glynn%3C%2Fem%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
UK's plans to cut net migration
Under the UK government’s proposals, migrants will have to spend 10 years in the UK before being able to apply for citizenship.
Skilled worker visas will require a university degree, and there will be tighter restrictions on recruitment for jobs with skills shortages.
But what are described as "high-contributing" individuals such as doctors and nurses could be fast-tracked through the system.
Language requirements will be increased for all immigration routes to ensure a higher level of English.
Rules will also be laid out for adult dependants, meaning they will have to demonstrate a basic understanding of the language.
The plans also call for stricter tests for colleges and universities offering places to foreign students and a reduction in the time graduates can remain in the UK after their studies from two years to 18 months.
ONCE UPON A TIME IN GAZA
Starring: Nader Abd Alhay, Majd Eid, Ramzi Maqdisi
Directors: Tarzan and Arab Nasser
Rating: 4.5/5
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League final:
Who: Real Madrid v Liverpool
Where: NSC Olimpiyskiy Stadium, Kiev, Ukraine
When: Saturday, May 26, 10.45pm (UAE)
TV: Match on BeIN Sports
Various Artists
Habibi Funk: An Eclectic Selection Of Music From The Arab World (Habibi Funk)
Company profile
Date started: December 24, 2018
Founders: Omer Gurel, chief executive and co-founder and Edebali Sener, co-founder and chief technology officer
Based: Dubai Media City
Number of employees: 42 (34 in Dubai and a tech team of eight in Ankara, Turkey)
Sector: ConsumerTech and FinTech
Cashflow: Almost $1 million a year
Funding: Series A funding of $2.5m with Series B plans for May 2020
European arms
Known EU weapons transfers to Ukraine since the war began: Germany 1,000 anti-tank weapons and 500 Stinger surface-to-air missiles. Luxembourg 100 NLAW anti-tank weapons, jeeps and 15 military tents as well as air transport capacity. Belgium 2,000 machine guns, 3,800 tons of fuel. Netherlands 200 Stinger missiles. Poland 100 mortars, 8 drones, Javelin anti-tank weapons, Grot assault rifles, munitions. Slovakia 12,000 pieces of artillery ammunition, 10 million litres of fuel, 2.4 million litres of aviation fuel and 2 Bozena de-mining systems. Estonia Javelin anti-tank weapons. Latvia Stinger surface to air missiles. Czech Republic machine guns, assault rifles, other light weapons and ammunition worth $8.57 million.
What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
THE DETAILS
Deadpool 2
Dir: David Leitch
Starring: Ryan Reynolds, Josh Brolin, Justin Dennison, Zazie Beetz
Four stars
