Interesting case of the tattoo artist asserting a copyright claim for the appearance of his infamous Mike Tyson-face tattoo appearing in Hangover II. It raises a slew of interesting intellectual property questions that I’m not going to research or try to answer definitively here. But in short, I see a number of problems with the tattoo artist’s position.
They reunited in October of 2017 when Zhang switched back to George after a stint with trainer Diego Rosario. Their first fight together in July, Zhang’s first in 10 months, resulted in Zhang’s sixth straight first-round knockout win. That’s more an indication of the level of competition he’s been fighting, but Zhang had been near an opponent befitting his aspirations a few days prior when he posed for photos next to Joshua at a press conference for the DAZN streaming app.
Pro boxing in China, long outlawed during Mao Zedong’s Cultural Revolution, experienced a brief renaissance (or a “Rebellion” as a New Yorker profile termed it) in 2013 when two-time gold medalist Zou Shiming signed with Top Rank and kicked off a series of Vegas-style boxing events in Macau. Zhang’s own introduction to the sport began many years earlier, when he watched the first meeting between Mike Tyson and Evander Holyfield in 1996.
For Tyson, the tattoo holds significant personal meaning as it is a representation of his identity and individuality. By choosing such a bold and distinctive design, he is making a statement about his personality and his willingness to defy convention and embrace his true self.
A heavyweight boxing contender from China is a rarity in the sport. Zhang Zhilei has not only made that a reality, but hopes to eventually fight for the undisputed title after a stunning victory over former champion Deontay Wilder on Saturday.
Overall, Tyson’s tattoo represents much more than just a decorative choice. It is a powerful expression of his life journey, a testament to his resilience and fortitude, and a reminder to us all that we are capable of overcoming even the toughest of challenges if we stay true to ourselves and keep pushing forward.
If he walks through any public area in his home country, he’s mobbed by admirers. At 6-foot-6, 260 pounds, Zhang draws attention with his pure physicality, but save for neighborhoods with big Chinese populations like Flushing, Queens or New York’s Chinatown, most see him as someone who looks like a somebody. They just don’t know who.
Like ‘Iron Mike’, Etienne was viewed as a dangerous puncher. Having learned to box while in prison for attempted armed robbery, he had built a 24-1-1 pro record – scoring 17 KOs along the way, including 11 in the first round.
Though he is known for his boxing talents, the icon’s face has also become a permanent fixture in sports history after he got a tribal tattoo inked on the left side of his temple in 2003. Seriously, this tattoo has become part of Iron Mike’s persona.
Zhang, like George’s situation, understands more English than he can speak, but when George corrects something that isn’t to the American perfectionist’s liking, Zhang responds, “Yes sir.” The goal, it would seem, is to have Zhang absorb George’s smooth, New York-style boxing to go along with his innate physical abilities.
“Mike was a very nice young man. If it wasn’t for Jim Jacobs, the fight probably wouldn’t have been made. Jim gave me an opportunity because he felt I deserved it. Mike was coming up, he was creaming everybody, knocking ’em dead. He was a gladiator. I was 29, he was 20. I was training at the Ruby Street gym in L.A with Ken Norton and Scrap Iron Johnson. I exchanged punches with my sparring partner and my right shoulder popped. I went to a chiropractor and he told me to put some ice on it and come back in a few days. I continued to work, but every time I worked my shoulder, it would pop out. I called Angelo and told him, ‘Angelo, my shoulder keeps popping out, I don’t know what’s going on with it.’ He said, ‘Pull out the fight.’ I said, ‘No, I’m not pulling out this fight. I’m willing to fight.’ Mike was beating everybody and I thought I could beat him with my left hand. Mike came out steaming and I was anticipating that. After I got through the first and second round, I thought, ‘I’m in good shape now.’ With my experience I was doing what I needed to do, but unfortunately my shoulder popped out and my glove split. I don’t make no big deal about that, Mike’s a good fighter, he did what he had to do. I got dropped, but I got up because I didn’t want to be counted out. I’ve got a lot of respect for Mike. I think he was a great champion.”
Zhang (27-2-1, 22 KOs) is the No. 6-ranked heavyweight by ESPN and The Ring magazine, and Wilder (43-4-1, 42 KOs) entered the bout at No. 7. The loss could likely spell the end of Wilder’s lightweight division weight boxing career, as many on social media have speculated, as has Wilder himself.
According to others tattoo on Tyson’s face does not apply to the Maori culture and has no direct value. Boxer himself said that he never liked the look of his face, and with a tattoo he likes it so much more .
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