It has been a good week for this Mike Tyson.

The mercurial and heretofore maddest man on the planet was humble at his news conference. He didn't rant or act homophobic. He didn't grab his crotch. He didn't try to intimidate anyone. He didn't talk about eating anyone's children.

For a while, I started to wonder why I came.

No, this Tyson was cheerful, gracious, accommodating. He was an apologetic and appreciative ex-husband, and a loving father. He wasn't asking for pity, only another chance. If it was an act designed for public consumption, it was a good one. Had Tyson's mood been any lighter, he would've floated away on a cloud of cherry blossoms. It's pretty amazing what blowing $400 million will do to a guy.

He was a veritable, well, let this Mike Tyson tell you.

"I feel like Mr. Mom," he said. "It's beautiful."

Great. Iron Mike is now Ironing Mike. And you wonder why the heavyweight division is so flat these days.

Anyway, three of Tyson's children - Rayna, 9; Amir, 7; and Miguel, 3 - were at his side as he announced another comeback attempt in his "favorite city," where his ex-wife, Monica Turner, lives with their children in suburban Maryland.

"I hope the people of Washington will be able to handle" his pay-per-view fight against Kevin McBride on June 11 at the MCI Center, three weeks before his 39th birthday. "There's going to be a train wreck."

One educated guess: The Irishman gets KO'd faster than a congressional leak circles the Beltway. McBride, 31, is considered to belong in the Peter McNeeley class of pugilists. He was supposed to have fought Tyson last summer before being replaced by a cheaper stand-in, Danny Williams. But the 9-1 underdog derailed Tyson - unable to punch effectively because of a knee injury - and stopped him with a barrage of blows in the fourth round. Tyson cratered into a deep funk. He was the saddest man on the planet.

"I just spiraled into a deep depression," he said. "Once the painkillers wore off, it was horrific. Oh, man, I didn't know what to do. I didn't know if I was even going to fight again. If it wasn't for Dr. Turner to continue to inspire my motivation, I would've never been here. Trust me, I was gone. I was like a little spoiled brat, like the whole world was against me. I was mad; I was at my worst self."

In case you have forgotten, Dr. Turner is his ex-wife.

"You've been my hero for a lot of years," Tyson told her as she sat inconspicuously at the Lincoln Theater. "You've helped me grow by leaps and bounds. You've superseded my highest expectations of somebody who is compassionate. I'm sorry I married you."

The room broke into applause before Tyson quickly corrected himself: "I'm sorry you married me." They met when he was in prison for raping a beauty pageant contestant. They were married 51/2 years before they divorced in 2003 because of his infidelity.

"They continue to call her Mrs. Tyson," he said. "She doesn't sleep with me anymore, so I don't know if she's going to want to keep that last name.

"You have to understand, I'm probably the worst husband in the world. This woman consistently was a constant friend to me. I would've never been my friend if I married me. I'm just totally appreciative of her friendship. I can handle releasing her and embracing her as a friend."

Maybe he's watching too much Dr. Phil.

The fighter is said to be calmer, more dedicated and focused in his attempt to return to his past glory. Indeed, if you came to hear viciousness or to see a meltdown, you came to the wrong place. The two fighters amiably posed for pictures together and shook hands without a hint of poison being spilled. It was nothing like the day three years ago in New York when Tyson charged Lennox Lewis and bit his leg at a news conference to promote their fight, which then was temporarily scuttled.

"I just don't get into stare-downs anymore or talk disrespectful," he said. "I'm older, so I'm not really too much into that. I'm just interested in fighting."

Perhaps his testosterone level has decreased. "No, I just don't want to punch the guy in the face before the fight starts and get suspended, that's why," he said.

Tyson smiled, gold teeth gleaming. I smiled back.

Someone suggested he seemed like a better person.

"In certain aspects, I am. In certain aspects, I'm not."

He did not smile.

Let us hope that Mike Tyson is dead.