Tyson, Norris Trying to Stay Afloat

LAS VEGAS — He is doubted.

He is denigrated.

He is seen as a former champion who will never again strap a world title belt around his waist.

He is Mike Tyson.

But he is also Orlin Norris.

Many of the same things have been said about the men who will fight in tonight's 10-round main event at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.

But whereas Tyson, a two-time former heavyweight champion who will be making only his second appearance in the ring in the last 28 months, is regarded by many as a has-been, Norris is considered a never-was.

At 5 feet 10, 218 pounds and lacking punching power, Norris doesn't appear to belong in the upper tier of the heavyweight division. His record is 50-5 with 27 knockouts, but Norris has fought only a few recognizable heavyweights this decade--with mixed results.

He was TKO'd by Bert Cooper and won a decision over Oliver McCall in 1990, lost a decision to Tony Tucker in 1991, came back to beat Tucker on a decision in 1996, then lost a decision to Henry Akinwande, whose best offensive weapon is holding onto his opponent for dear life, in 1997.

It's hardly the kind of resume to kindle hope among Norris' few scattered supporters when he enters the ring against 10 1/2-1 favorite Tyson, maybe not what he once was, but still more than Norris ever figures to be in this division.

"Every man is a man," Norris said. "We all have attributes. If I use mine as well as you use yours, I can be effective."

Because of his size, Norris has been most effective as a cruiserweight. In that division, he was a giant, winning the World Boxing Assn. title on a sixth-round knockout of Marcelo Figueroa in Paris in 1993. Norris successfully defended that title four times before losing it to Nate Miller in London in 1995, Miller knocking Norris out in the eighth round.

Seven months after the loss to Miller, Norris, having added 32 pounds, returned to where he'd wanted to be all along, wading back into the heavyweight division at 220 pounds.

Ahead was Tyson. But never straight ahead. There were agonizing detours, court battles over rankings, disputes with promoter Don King--welcome to the club--before Norris, who recently celebrated his 34th birthday, got his fight with Tyson.

"I lost faith a couple of times," he said. "It was difficult to keep training, knowing it may be in vain, knowing I might never get my big shot. I've grown to hate the corruption in boxing.