Tyson repels yet fascinates his detractors.(Chicago Tribune)

MEMPHIS, Tenn. _ The guttural roar of four police motorcycles arrived first inside the local convention center, followed by a squad car, followed by five SUVs full of sycophants, carnival barkers, assorted characters and Mike Tyson dressed in white.

The police were there to serve and protect, though you could have had a decent debate about whether they were protecting Tyson from Memphis or Memphis from Tyson. The former heavyweight champion of the world was there in his capacity as exorcist, a guy who will scare the devil out of you.

But here came the saints and sinners for Tyson's weigh-in Thursday, true believers all of them, seeking the light of Mike Tyson, and if he could spare a …