October 2022 Chantilly Show - Meeting Mike Tyson

The lineup for the Chantilly Show didn't leave me with many options of guys I was really willing to spend money on this close to the National.  I was really still in recovery (financially) from the National, but when I saw that I could meet Mike Tyson for $150, I figured I would go ahead and add him to my wall of signed 8 x 10s.  This was especially because Tyson wasn't signing trading cards (and I didn't want to break up my 2006 Allen and Ginter set, or replace his card, which turns out is a fairly pricy short print).  So, I got this 8 x 10 from Nintendo's Mike Tyson's Punch Out and had it signed.

It wasn't Tyson's fault, but the experience wasn't all that great.  His photo op line went way past the allotted time, so when it came time for him to sign, we were all rushed and herded through at breakneck speed.  I was only able to get a "Thanks Mike" out, to which he looked up and smiled, before I was shooed away.

Still, I got a signed photo, and I can still say that I met the legendary Mike Tyson.  In the end, the photo looks great on my wall anyway.

Burt Sugar 1937 - 2012

Famed boxing writer Burt Sugar died today at the age of 75.  I know next to nothing about him, except that he was probably one of the most well known boxing writers around.

I decided to put this post up because I held onto this Burt Sugar auto after I got it as a redemption from Topps Co-Signers.  It is one of the few non-baseball autos that I own.  The card is a really nice card, ever for a sticker auto.

I feel bad for the boxing profession.  I know Sugar worked hard as a boxing writer to continue to bring relevance to the sport, but it really has ceased to be relevant for a long time now.  The days of boxing being a huge draw with the likes of Ali-Frazier appear to be over.  I couldn't even tell you who the heavyweight champion is.  I'm sure there are people who legitimately think Rocky Balboa was a former champion.

Anyway, I'm sad that Sugar passed, boxing sure could have used him to keep the torch burning.  I love this card, by the way.  It sure is pretty awesome, I'm glad I have it.