The first time I met Mike Tyson was outside the VIP lounge at McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas, in the fall of 1988.

I was traveling with Canadian heavyweight contender Ken Lakusta and as we waited for a connecting flight, Iron Mike emerged from a media maelstrom on the adjoining concourse and made a beeline for the nearest security exit.

But when he saw Lakusta, a one-time sparring partner, the self-declared 'Baddest Man on the Planet' did an abrupt about-face and rushed over to greet us with bear hugs, like we were long lost relatives.