Lewis Challenges Tyson to Heavyweight Bout
L A S V E G A S, Nov. 13, 2000 -- Lennox Lewis wants Mike Tyson. Mike Tyson sayshe wants Lennox Lewis.
Even in the convoluted world of heavyweight boxing, this is onefight that almost has to happen.
Why? Because too much money is at stake to do otherwise.
“Right now, the people want [me to fight] Tyson,” Lewis said after disposing of David Tua. “Tell him I’ve been ready since the Holyfield fight.”
Tyson Checks Up on Lewis
Tyson has said he will be ready sometime next year for the onefight that can make both boxers the tens of millions of dollarsthey crave in a division that is otherwise lacking stars.
Of course, he’s also said he is retiring, though few believethat yarn.
That was the reason Tyson’s manager, Shelly Finkel, was atringside Saturday night to watch Lewis put on a masterfulperformance in easily beating Tua in a lopsided 12-round decision. (See sidebar below.)
And that was why Tyson dropped into one of Lewis’ trainingsessions before the fight to check out the heavyweight champion.
Both fighters need each other more than ever, after Lewis tookcare of the one heavyweight many figured had a puncher’s chance to end his reign as the IBF and WBC heavyweight champion.
Lewis and Tua drew a sellout crowd of more than 12,000 Saturdaynight at the Mandalay Bay hotel-casino not because Lewis is aterribly popular heavyweight champion. He isn’t, as poor ticket sales in his native London proved in July for his fight withFrancois Botha.
The public certainly doesn’t want to pay to see Lewis fight the likes of Kirk Johnson or Larry Donald. Judging from Tyson’s weak pay-per-view numbers against Andrew Golota, people are tiring of watching Tyson just for the sheer spectacle of it all.
But put the two together in a ring once and for all, and bothcan laugh all the way to the bank.
“Hopefully this fight will water his mouth a bit,” Lewis said of Tyson. “I’m in it for the long run. I’m looking to build a legacy.”
Lewis Keeps Getting Better
Lewis better hope that legacy is made inside the ring. Itcertainly won’t be as a poet, though he tried to add a littleMuhammad Ali-like excitement to the division with a challenge toTyson after making an easy $8 million against Tua.
“If Tyson wants to come to test, I’ll put him to rest. Lennox Lewis is the best,” Lewis said.
Lewis certainly looked that way against Tua, who brought a lefthook into the fight but not much else.
That was evident almost from the opening bell as the 6-foot-5Lewis used his height and 15-inch reach advantage to frustrate Tuaand keep him from landing his big punch. Lewis fought superbly withhis left jab and an occasional right hand in a fight that didn’tplease fans who wanted to see a brawl but proved his technicalsuperiority.
Compubox statistics showed Lewis landed almost three punches toevery one landed by Tua. Of the 300 Lewis was credited withlanding, 213 were jabs.
“At a certain point, he was just having fun out there,” said Lewis’ trainer, Emanuel Steward.
Indeed he was, showing that at age 35 Lewis is the class oftoday’s heavyweights. In three title defenses this year, he stopped Michael Grant in the second round, did the same to Botha and picked apart Tua, the No. 1 contender in both organizations that Lewis heads.
“Like a fine wine, I’m getting better with time,” Lewis said.