Lewis-Tyson bout to be finalised
2001-12-24 12:15
London - Negotiations for the heavyweight showdown between Lennox Lewis and Mike Tyson are making progress, both camps have said, but they are not yet close to an agreement.
The Press Association (PA) said that the two camps must reach
agreement on the fight, tentatively scheduled for April 6, by
January 8 or face the bout's promotion being thrown open to the
highest bidder.
That could open the door for controversial promoter Don King to
muscle in on the action.
World Boxing Council president Jose Sulaiman said: "The WBC
ratifies Mike Tyson as the official challenger for heavyweight
world champion Lennox Lewis.
"The period for free negotiations for the fight ends on January
8, and if no agreement is reached, a public purse offer will be
held on January 24 at noon in the WBC Executive Offices in Mexico
City."
King has already tried to entice Tyson away from a showdown with
Lewis by offering him over 10 million dollars to take on WBA
champion John Ruiz, PA said.
"I am a believer that Lennox Lewis is the baddest man on the
planet," King told the Las Vegas Journal. "He's punching sharp and
clean and hitting harder than ever.
"For Tyson to go into the ring with him now would be a kamikaze
move. Mike Tyson don't need to do no kamikaze.
"He can fight some of these guys, make millions and millions of
dollars, get a title and then hit the jackpot against Lennox. Then
he will be more prepared for him."
Sulaiman, however, is convinced that a Lewis-Tyson clash already
has the makings of a classic encounter.
He added: "The Lewis-Tyson fight will be between two of the
greatest boxers of the second half of the 20th century.
"I think that Lewis and Tyson will fight with dignity and
honour, and their fight will have a place in boxing history." - Sapa-AFP
- SAPA