madjack
28-02-2003, 02:16 AM
Champ demands medical for Tyson
From correspondents in Las Vegas
February 27, 2003
BRITAIN's Lennox Lewis, the World Boxing Council heavyweight champion, will not fight ex-champion Mike Tyson unless the American undergoes a complete medical exam.
"Lennox won't fight Tyson unless they check the whole body, neuro, cardio..." said Don King, who is trying to sign a fight deal with Lewis and being sued by Tyson in a money squabble over their alliance nearly a decade ago.
Tyson improved the chances of a rematch with Lewis by stopping Clifford Etienne in 49 seconds last Saturday in Memphis, where Lewis knocked out Tyson in the eighth round last June. Lewis has not fought since.
"Lennox destroyed Tyson," King said. "Tyson hasn't got over that yet. If he fights Tyson again, it won't be a boxing match."
Tyson's fight was nearly called off because of complaints by Tyson he was ill or had a sore back. King called Tyson adviser Shelly Finkel "a mercenary" for letting Tyson fight in such condition.
Of course, King would love to see his stable of fighters in the ring with Tyson or Lewis rather than leaving him out of the action, as he would be if Lewis battled Tyson in a big-money rematch.
World Boxing Association champion John Ruiz, a King-backed fighter who faces undisputed light heavyweight champion Roy Jones here on Saturday, was snubbed by Lewis as an undeserving foe.
Lewis dubbed Ruiz "Johnny Louise" for fighting like a girl.
"I'm disappointed about Lewis because he's not acting like a champ," Ruiz said. "He likes to promote himself and talk about himself. He didn't want to fight me."
International Boxing Federation champion Chris Byrd, another King fighter, would love a showdown with Lewis.
But Lewis rejected a deal to fight the American last year, giving up the IBF crown because a mandatory defence against Byrd would not pay enough.
"My goal is to fight Lewis. But it won't happen," Byrd said. "Lennox is looking for the easiest fight. He wants easy fight and easy money."
Byrd predicts another big-money Lewis-Tyson bout, saying, "The rematch will happen and he will win again."
Another fighter Lewis refused to face was Ukrainian Vitali Klitschko, although King said that rejection was because of contract details, fine print King has mastered for hundreds of millions of dollars over the decades.
"Lennox got out of the Klitschko fight because it was the worst contract deal in history of sport," King said. "Never have I seen that in my 30 years in this sport."
From correspondents in Las Vegas
February 27, 2003
BRITAIN's Lennox Lewis, the World Boxing Council heavyweight champion, will not fight ex-champion Mike Tyson unless the American undergoes a complete medical exam.
"Lennox won't fight Tyson unless they check the whole body, neuro, cardio..." said Don King, who is trying to sign a fight deal with Lewis and being sued by Tyson in a money squabble over their alliance nearly a decade ago.
Tyson improved the chances of a rematch with Lewis by stopping Clifford Etienne in 49 seconds last Saturday in Memphis, where Lewis knocked out Tyson in the eighth round last June. Lewis has not fought since.
"Lennox destroyed Tyson," King said. "Tyson hasn't got over that yet. If he fights Tyson again, it won't be a boxing match."
Tyson's fight was nearly called off because of complaints by Tyson he was ill or had a sore back. King called Tyson adviser Shelly Finkel "a mercenary" for letting Tyson fight in such condition.
Of course, King would love to see his stable of fighters in the ring with Tyson or Lewis rather than leaving him out of the action, as he would be if Lewis battled Tyson in a big-money rematch.
World Boxing Association champion John Ruiz, a King-backed fighter who faces undisputed light heavyweight champion Roy Jones here on Saturday, was snubbed by Lewis as an undeserving foe.
Lewis dubbed Ruiz "Johnny Louise" for fighting like a girl.
"I'm disappointed about Lewis because he's not acting like a champ," Ruiz said. "He likes to promote himself and talk about himself. He didn't want to fight me."
International Boxing Federation champion Chris Byrd, another King fighter, would love a showdown with Lewis.
But Lewis rejected a deal to fight the American last year, giving up the IBF crown because a mandatory defence against Byrd would not pay enough.
"My goal is to fight Lewis. But it won't happen," Byrd said. "Lennox is looking for the easiest fight. He wants easy fight and easy money."
Byrd predicts another big-money Lewis-Tyson bout, saying, "The rematch will happen and he will win again."
Another fighter Lewis refused to face was Ukrainian Vitali Klitschko, although King said that rejection was because of contract details, fine print King has mastered for hundreds of millions of dollars over the decades.
"Lennox got out of the Klitschko fight because it was the worst contract deal in history of sport," King said. "Never have I seen that in my 30 years in this sport."