Tyson vs. Spain

Jun 20, 1985

Steel Pier, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.

Mike Tyson’s walk is a master class in slowness, his gloved hands hung low at his side, each step paced (i.e deliberate) rather than pacing (i.e. anxious), so posed or poised, casual in appearance but brutal in context, almost plodding, step after conscious step of casual performance, neither excited nor winded. Character study. Count to ten (i.e. breathe). Spain on the canvas, amongst the ropes, exhales an exasperated damn. As if to say to hell, or from it. Madness as method: a lit fuse for a fist. The judgement, injury, condemnation. Heavy nights and pensive brows, like tarnished silver (i.e. bruised).

ANDREW RIHN is the author of several chapbooks, including America Plops and Fizzes (2011). Most recently, he co-authored with his wife The Marriage of Heaven and Hell: An Election Cycle (2017) and The Day of Small Things (2018).