A sellout crowd of 3,000 packed into the Lowell Memorial Auditorium a week ago tonight to watch the final night of the 75th annual Golden Gloves boxing tournament.
Actually, a good portion of the crowd was there to see one man, Mike Tyson, the legendary former world boxing champion.
The 100-year-old Auditorium nearly shook from the ovation Tyson received when he walked into the ring to be introduced prior to the night's first fight. Earlier, he spoke for about 15 minutes during a press conference inside the building.
Not everyone was happy about Tyson's visit to Lowell, of course. Tyson's troubled past is well documented. As a kid, with his home life a mess and little structure, he was arrested a couple of dozens of times.
His problems followed him into adulthood. In 1992, he was sentenced to six years in prison after a rape conviction. He was released after serving less than half his sentence. A rape conviction is a serious matter. I have three children, all daughters.
But Tyson served his time. He has tried to move on with his life. By many accounts, he has succeeded in becoming a better man. I interviewed him for 15 minutes, one on one, during an event prior to his Golden Gloves appearance.
I found him to be funny, humble and candid. We live in a society in which people aren't allowed to rehabilitate. We shut people out. Once a criminal always a criminal. I don't believe that.
Tyson's rape conviction was 30 years ago. When he was released from prison, should he have been sentenced to house arrest for the rest of his days? Should people who go to prison be shunned for the rest of their lives?
What about forgiveness? Tyson was a great fighter. That doesn't make him a great man. Asked if he's found happiness, Tyson said he didn't know how to answer that question. Then he said his family is happy so, yeah, maybe he's found happiness.
At the very least he should be given that chance.
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