Mike Tyson's world tour kicked off Friday at the Chevrolet Centre in Youngstown, Ohio, with the former heavyweight champion sparring four rounds with Corey "T-Rex" Sanders. Sanders entered the ring wearing headgear, while Tyson did not use headgear. The fighters used 16-ounce gloves and wore t-shirts. Tyson dropped Sanders in the opening seconds and pressed the action throughout. Sanders seemed to have little interest in trading punches and virtually all the good connects were made by Tyson. Sanders' knees were buckled by a Tyson right in round three, and Tyson landed a big right hand in the fourth. No decision was rendered, because it was an exhibition bout.

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The Chevrolet Centre in Youngstown, Ohio played host Saturday to the inaugural exhibition bout of Mike Tyson’s World Tour where, in front of nearly 4,000 fans, the former heavyweight champion of the world went four rounds with veteran Corey “T-Rex” Sanders.

The question hung in the air, almost as heavy as the anticipation for the actual fight: What is to be expected? Would the Mike Tyson of old reappear in stunning fashion?

And: What is an “exhibition,” anyway, and what exactly are the rules?

As opponent Corey “T-Rex” Sanders made his walk to the ring it appeared as though more inquires were raised than explained. Brandishing a navy blue t-shirt and 16-ounce gloves, Sanders signaled proudly to the crowd, crowned unexpectedly with black, protective headgear.

Whispers of “He’s going to need it,” could be heard through the stands.

The fans began to cheer wildly as Tyson made his way to the ring wearing his trademark black trunks and, to everyone’s relief, noticeably lacking headgear. “Iron” Mike, smiling ear to ear, met in the ring with deafening cheers.

The men met in the center of the ring where Sanders, despite his nearly eight-inch height advantage and 50-pound weight advantage, was slammed with a hard combination of short punches to the body followed by a blasting overhand Tyson right to the head that dropped him to the canvas.

Though visibly dazed, “T-Rex” beat the count on unsteady legs.

Cheering wildly, fans were delighted to see the former undisputed heavyweight champion of the world jump on his just-risen opponent to land another hard right hand. With his opponent now on the defensive, with his back against the ropes, Tyson landed another hard hook that crumpled the legs of Corey Sanders.

Just when it appeared as though he was going down for the second time in under two minutes, fans were puzzled to see “Iron” Mike lift his opponent back to his feet. The round ended to a chorus of boos with both men in the embrace.

The second round saw Sanders come out with a sly grin on his face as he began to implement a jab. Though carrying a sizable reach advantage, Tyson closed the distance fast with impressively accurate jabs to the head and body.

Tying the shorter Tyson up, the Chevrolet Centre’s disapproval of Sanders’ lack of punches was heard loud and clear. After being separated by referee Jim Villers, Tyson landed a hard left hook followed by a right hand that spun the headgear of Sanders, halting the negative feedback.

After seeing the number or rights that landed cleanly, it became apparent that Sanders’ alleged lack of sight in his left eye was becoming a major factor.

With the tension now gone from the ring, both men became more comfortable throwing combinations. While in close, most of the action was dominated by the tenacious and unpredictable head and body shots of Tyson keeping his opponent off balanced. Finding his grove, Tyson excited the fans by blasting hard uppercuts Sanders’ jaw.

With the final round now in full swing, the smile that once graced Sanders’ face was gone as shades of the old Mike Tyson began to resurface. After a bit of shoe shining by Tyson, a perfectly placed powder keg of a right hand rocked the former sparring partner to his core.

Only holding on, the now visibly shaken Sanders was rocked repeatedly with jab-overhand right combinations that brought the crowd into a frenzy. As the remaining seconds ticked away, the Chevrolet Centre appeared satisfied as youngest heavyweight champion of all time placed one last uppercut on his opponent’s chin.

With no winner to be determined since the bout was held under exhibition rules, some remarks of disapproval could be heard. But, upon the announcement of Mike Tyson’s name, cheers of affection and gratitude began to come alive.

Having some good-natured fun, Tyson-trainer and former world champion Jeff Fenech made his way to the corner of Sanders.

The first stop of Mike Tyson’s World Tour was over and it will, most certainly, roll on. --Brady Crytzer

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