BOXING\Tyson shortchanged?\Champ says $30 million paycheck not enough.

Byline: Michael Rosenthal

No can blame Mike Tyson for wanting to squeeze as much money as he possibly can out of this cutthroat sport.

But to complain publicly that he's underpaid? After a $30 million payday? Another in a series of poor public-relations moves.

On Friday, a telephone conference call turned into an expletive-laced gripe session for the new WBC heavyweight champion, who complained about his pay, the judicial system and even his third-round knockout of Frank Bruno on March 16.

"I just want to get what I'm entitled to," Tyson said. "I don't feel I'm receiving what I'm entitled to as far as finances are concerned.

"I feel I deserve a lot more than $30 million."

"You're not happy with $30 million?" asked one reporter, certain he had suddenly developed a hearing problem.

"Not at all," Tyson responded quite clearly.

Tyson, who has made $65 million in his three-fight comeback, wouldn't say how much he believes he deserves and didn't blame promoter Don King or managers John Horne and Rory Holloway, which doesn't leave anyone to blame.

When he refers to entitlement, he seems to be implying that his $30 million isn't a large enough chunk of the estimated $100 million the fight is reported to have generated worldwide.

He seems to believe that he and he alone is the reason for such a windfall - and he might be right.

"I've been f----- my whole career," he said. "No one has given me any justice. . . . No one draws like I draw. I want to be treated fairly."

Tyson also seemed to imply that he needs the money, which doesn't make sense. Perhaps he was on a roll and simply couldn't stop himself.

"No one gives a f--- about me," he said. ". . . I'm not saying anyone loves me, I don't do endorsements. I make my money with my own sweat.

"No one cares if my children starve, if they're on welfare. I have to support my children. I'm saying I want more money. I need more money. I've been nothing but respectful to everybody. I've been in prison 3-1/2 years illegally. I just want what's entitled to me."

As part of a three-fight plan to unify the title, King planned to have Tyson face WBA champion Bruce Seldon in his next fight, tentatively on July 13 in Las Vegas.

However, a New Jersey judge has ordered Tyson to face Lennox Lewis, which puts his next outing in serious limbo. King wouldn't even discuss it for fear of a contempt of court charge.

Tyson knows only one thing: If his fate is settled in court, he won't be treated fairly.

"I'm not going to get fair play in any judicial system," he said.

If there were one thing with which he should be pleased, it should be Saturday's fight, in which he devoured a terrified, overmatched Bruno.

However, Tyson can't even find contentment there.

"I wanted to give him a good thrashing in spectacular fashion. I didn't think it was spectacular enough," he said.

King and Horne, who were on the conference call, didn't comment after Tyson's tirade.

Good news, bad news: The MVB (Most Valuable Boxer) of HBO's card featuring young heavyweights last week was David Tua, who stopped John Ruiz in 19 seconds.

The short, powerful Samoan native, who fights out of New Zealand, looked Mike Tyson-like. However, Ruiz is no test.

The biggest bust was much-hyped Shannon Briggs, who was knocked out at 2:17 of the third round by Darroll Wilson. Briggs, who was unbeaten, simply fell apart when he got into trouble.

Feminine charms: Don't look now, but women's boxing appears to be catching on.

First there was Christy Martin, a winner over Deirdre Gogarty on last week's Mike Tyson-Frank Bruno card and perhaps the best-known woman fighter.

Then there was Lucia Rijker of Holland, the "Lady Mike Tyson," who scored a knockout victory on Thursday at the Olympic Auditorium and appears to be a good opponent for Martin.

And now, at the Warner Center Marriott on Wednesday, comes Yvonne Trevino of Las Vegas, billed as the world champion in the super flyweight division. Trevino, who is also a kickboxing champion, faces Tarra Walsh of Virginia in a six-round bout.

"It's very, very popular," said Marriott promoter Gerrie Coetzee. "When I watched the Tyson event, I thought the best fight of the evening was the fight with Christy Martin.

"People are asking me now to put on a women's fight in Woodland Hills. So there it is.'

COMING UP

Tuesday: Charles Murray faces Tony Lopez for Murray's NABF junior welterweight title in Rochester, N.Y. The card will be televised on USA.

Wednesday: Former heavyweight champion Mike Weaver faces Deric Ryals in a 10-round bout at the Warner Center Marriott. Also, Tim Puller faces Archie Perry in another heavyweight bout on the nine-fight card.

Friday: Mark Breland continues his comeback against Floyd Williams in 10-round middleweight bout in Mobile, Ala.

Saturday: Wayne McCullough of Ireland defends his WBC bantamweight title against Mexican Jose Luis Bueno in Dublin, Ireland.

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