Challenging the Champ

DEEP in the nation's heartland, Overland Park, Kansas to be exact, there lurks a raging beast. A man who speaks up when other boxers only quake in fear. A man who openly challenges Mike Tyson, the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world.

The challenge was issued only minutes after Iron Mike knocked out Michael Spinks to retain his claim as the world's most-feared ring warrior.

"I'd get in the ring with Tyson for $3.5 million and last longer than Spinks did. And I'm 44 years old," Dan Haupt announced to the Associated Press on fight night.

Tough words, offered with a twang that rivals Tex Cobb's.

What drove Dan Haupt, the Kansas Kid, the Midwest Mauler, to enter the ring with a champion who has left 31 out of his 35 opponents chewing the canvas?

WELL, while others who shelled out anywhere from $2000 for ringside seats in Atlantic City to $30 for special pay-per-view arrangements shook their heads in disgust after the 10-count ended, Haupt took a cue from P.T. Barnum. If Tyson could make $22 million and Spinks $13 million for 91 seconds of "boxing," then why can't Dan Haupt of Overland Park, Kansas, take a stab at the champ for $3.5 million?

And if Don King or Bill Cayton or Donald Trump or anyone else who says he owns a share of Tyson is laughing at Haupt's offer, Mr. Haupt has a message he'd like to pass along.

Stop laughing, gentlemen, and let's talk business.

Dan Haupt, who has perfected a powerful "Over the Rainbow" uppercut, guarantees that he would last longer in the ring than Michael Spinks. And he would do it for $9.5 million less.

Gentlemen, let's face the facts. Tyson, at 22 years old, is unbeatable. He showed that against Spinks. It's time to have some fun with that very simple fact.

Do you actually think that Great Britain's Frank Bruno, possible future opponent for Tyson, stands a chance? Sure, he'll talk about how he's ready to take the champ. But has Bruno guaranteed that he would last longer than 91 seconds in the ring? Or that he would want only $3.5 million?

Dan Haupt, the Jabbing Jayhawk, has.

LET the guy from the Midwest fight the champ. Everyone comes out happy. Tyson, because he'll be another $20 million richer. Haupt, because he'll pocket $3.5 million, which, incidentally, will be donated to inner-city social programs. And us, because this fight will last longer than 91 seconds.

Gentlemen, still not convinced yet? Let's keep talking.

Unlike Spinks, Haupt has a realistic strategy, and he's not afraid to unveil it.

"He would have two problems with me," Haupt said. "First, if he beats me he doesn't enhance his title. Second, he'll probably think, `Why in the world does this guy want to fight against me?"

Haupt is the type of boxer who will catch Tyson off guard by picking at his mind. Haupt has the power to transform the ring into a doctor's couch by playing "the psychological game" with the champ. Haupt is 23 years wiser than Tyson, and, as he shrewdly notes, the champ must "have an Achilles heel someplace." Dan Haupt of Overland Park, Kansas, could be Tyson's Paris you know, fight fans, the Trojan guy.

Unlike some of Tyson's past opponents (Trevor Berbick? Larry Holmes?), Dan Haupt is smart. When asked if he knew that all three major boxing councils have not ranked him, Haupt replied, "I realize that I am not a contender. But those who are contenders didn't fight like contenders against Tyson."

Do you actually think that Frank Bruno has this much flair, this much wit? Press conferences can mean something again.

Unlike past Tyson opponents (or, shall we say, victims), Haupt is humble.

"Certainly, I'm no physical specimen," he said.

But then again, Tony "Two-Ton" Tubbs was no Michelangelo's David either. When Tubbs fought Tyson in Japan a few moths ago, it looked like he had one too many pound of sushi and washed it down with a keg of Sapporo. But you couldn't remind Tony about his weight problem. He thought he could beat the champ.

Tubbs is still munching away at the canvas.

BORN with a sense of ease that comes with life in the plains, Haupt would be the most laid-back opponent Mike Tyson would ever face. None of this British stiff-upper-lip business for Haupt. And while he hasn't laced up the gloves since his hight school days, Dan Haupt of Overland Park, Kansas, has the kind of attitude that bespeaks confidence. Something Michael Spinks lost for a span of 91 seconds.

"There is the outside chance that he could lose," Haupt said. "I've got nothing to lose, while he has everything to lose."

And that, gentlemen, is the bottom line.