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It didnt take Mike Tyson very long to get involved in controversy in his new role as a boxing promoter. Vapormax Plus Pas Cher Chine . The head of USA Boxing came out swinging Tuesday with an open letter to Tyson — a former Olympic hopeful himself — that accuses the former heavyweight champion of trying to poach fighters who might be candidates for the U.S. Olympic team in 2016. Dr. Charles Butler said in the letter that recently formed Iron Mike Productions has been offering money to the best amateur fighters to turn pro, in particular an 18-year-old who some in amateur boxing believe to be the countrys best hope for a gold medal at the Rio games. He says the money being offered is „pennies on the dollar“ of what the prospects could be worth with an Olympic medal. „Mike, USA Boxing does not have the funds to compete with your offers,“ the letter said. „If you have money and would like to assist these young athletes and the sport, you should donate for athlete stipends to support the training of these boxers and help your country regain its prominence on the medal stand. Please do not take them from us. If they win a medal for their country, you can always sign them to professional contracts at that time.“ Tyson did not immediately return a phone call, and publicist Joann Mignano said he would not be commenting. Mignano confirmed, though, that Iron Mike Promotions signed Florida fighter Erickson Lubin on Tuesday, his 18th birthday. Lubin is a two-time Junior Olympic national champion and won the 152-pound division at the National Golden Gloves this year. In his USA Boxing bio he said his goals were to win a gold medal at the Olympics, turn pro and win every title possible. „We want to be competitive and we want to increase our overall performance in the Olympic games,“ said USA Boxing executive director Anthony Bartkowski. „This is a new strategy of trying to make sure our Olympic-aged athletes are not poached by promoters. In the past, USA Boxing was passive and just accepted it.“ Tyson isnt the only promoter trying to lure amateurs to the pros. Last month, DiBella Entertainment said it signed highly touted 17-year-old Junior „Sugar Boy“ Younan from New York to a contract and said he would make his pro debut in late October or early November, after he turned 18. Boxing promoters have long trolled the amateur ranks looking for talent, especially in recent years as the lure of Olympics gold has faded for many fighters. Winning the Olympics was once a guaranteed way to make millions, but as the U.S. Olympic boxing teams have faded so have the prospects for Olympic fighters. The last American man to win an Olympic gold in boxing was Andre Ward in 2004, and last years team in London didnt win a medal of any colour. USA Boxing, meanwhile, has undergone a series of shakeups and its funding has been cut by the U.S. Olympic Committee. The executive director of the USOC said Tuesday that boxing — which was once dominated by Americans — is still trying to find a way to replicate earlier successes. „Boxing is one of those sports that I think we have a very rich tradition in, but not a lot of current performance,“ Scott Blackmun said. „I think the recent reorganization of USA Boxing … is going to be very, very beneficial because it brings some very independent thinkers to the board. But I dont think you can take away the choices our athletes have. They have to weigh the importance of an Olympic medal and the impact an Olympic medal could have on their lifetime earning capabilities, and weigh that versus the short-term benefits of turning professional.“ Tyson is somewhat of an unlikely target of an amateur program he used to compete in, making it to within one fight of the Olympics in 1984. He began working as a promoter just recently, joining up with a promotion company called Acquinity Sports to host his first card last month in Verona, N.Y. Air Max 270 Blanche Pas Cher . Coaches are now allowed to challenge both called and potential defensive pass interference fouls under certain conditions. Air Max 720 Homme Pas Cher . The Mavericks were not going to let San Antonio beat them with 3-pointers, and they did not want Tony Parker using the lane as his personal playground.ROME — Serena Williams isnt committing to playing in the Italian Open yet as she waits to see how her injured left thigh feels. The top-ranked Williams withdrew before her quarterfinal match at the Madrid Open last week. „Im taking it a day at a time. Well see as the week goes on. I have the rest of the day off and Ill see how I feel tomorrow,“ Williams said Monday. „I hit some balls today a little bit so Im going to see later tonight how it feels.“ In Madrid, Williams had her thigh heavily bandaged and said the injury occurred during a first-round victory over Belinda Bencic. She dismissed conjecture of pulling out for precautionary reasons. „I dont do anything out of precaution anymore. You live once and I feel like anything can happen tomorrow,“ Williams said. „I just physically couldnt play. I was in a lot of pain and just wasnt able to continue. When I play I want to give 100 per cent. „I want to go out there and I want to give the fans everything that they deserve and everything that they come to see,“ Williams added. „And I just wasnt going to even come close to being there.“ Williams is the defending champion at the Foro Italico, and also won the title in 2002. Shell also be the defending champion when the French Open starts in two weeeks. Air Max 95 Femme Pas Cher. Compared to earlier in her career, Williams said she really enjoys the red clay of Rome and Paris now. „I love the challenge of having to be more consistent and having to be that much better,“ she said. Williams is slated to open against either Romina Oprandi of Switzerland or Andrea Petkovic of Germany. Shes one of eight Americans in the draw — quite a large showing compared to recent years. „Its good timing. Im nearing the end of my career, I guess — who knows when its going to end, I love playing — and people get inspired by different Americans maybe, and maybe start to play now,“ Williams said. „I love seeing all the Americans around.“ The other Americans in Rome are Varvara Lepchenko, Sloane Stephens, Christina McHale, Lauren Davis, Madison Keys, Alison Riske and Serenas older sister Venus Williams. At 32, Serena Williams marveled at the retirement announcement last week by former No. 1 Dinara Safina, who is 28. „Shes a lot younger than me,“ Serena said. „I just enjoy it right now. I enjoy my practice and Im starting to look in the mirror like, Wow. Whats wrong with me? I should be starting to not enjoy it so much. But the older I get the more I enjoy it. Its kind of weird but Im going to take it as it is.“ ‚ ‚ ‚