For real and in “phygital” form, Iron Mike is busy in VegasVille.
The Mike Tyson Invitational amateur boxing tournament returns to Sahara Las Vegas at 2 p.m. Saturday. Tyson has curated (or paired up) all of the combatants among the top amateur boxers across the country.
The event will be at the Sahara Theatre (tickets start at $57.80 for standing, $212 for reserved; go to saharalasvegas.com for intel).
To the south of Sahara on the Strip, Tyson is to be represented virtually. “Iron Mike Legacy: The Mike Tyson Immersive Experience” is planned for the Flamingo. The venue is being developed along the walkway from the Linq Promenade, next to the hotel’s Wildlife Habitat and across from Havana 1957.
Tickets go on sale Aug. 5, with a targeted fall opening (go to ironmikelegacy.com for info and protocols).
A release from Caesars Entertainment describes the attraction is “the first officially licensed, immersive experience dedicated to the life, boxing career and legacy of Mike Tyson.”
“Phygital,” a mash of physical and digital, is among the terms used to describe the attraction (the adjective is making its debut in this space).
The Tyson Experience will employ “augmented reality, virtual reality, holograms and projection mapping technologies.” No word if a Marvis Frazier experience is part of the plan.
But we know the World Boxing Council, among the sport’s sanctioning bodies, is aboard as an official venue partner.
Las Vegas is to be the flagship of many Iron Mike Legacy venues. The actual Tyson wants it that way.
“Las Vegas has been the backdrop for some of the most important moments of my life and career. The city embraced me, challenged me and helped shape the person I am today,” Tyson said in a statement. “This experience is deeply personal, and I’m excited for fans from around the world to step inside my story and experience the highs, the lows, and everything in between.”
John Katsilometes’ column runs daily in the A section. Contact him at [email protected]. Follow @johnnykats on X, @JohnnyKats1 on Instagram.