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| (AP) Boxer Lennox Lewis raises his arms as he takes part in official weigh-in ceremonies in Memphis,... Full Image |
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"I don't recall ever being involved in a fight where both men had the kind of punching power that Lennox and Mike have," said Steward, Lewis' trainer. "It's a frightening thing to think of the damage that either one of these fighters could do to the other one. Frightening.
"It's like dynamite is all over the place, and I'm worried that somebody is going to light a match."
Tyson - or Kid Dynamite, his nickname from a promising youth that now seems sad ancient history - gets another chance to reclaim his heavyweight title on Saturday night at the Pyramid Arena on the banks of the Mississippi. He most likely will be an underdog for the first time in his turbulent career.
Lewis' WBC and IBF heavyweight belts - as well as the legacy of a good career that could reach greatness with a victory - are on the line.
Much of the fight's worldwide appeal is based on Tyson's capacity to create mayhem outside the rules. It's a common belief in Memphis that Tyson must win the fight in the first three rounds - or something could happen that would make his notorious "Bite Fight" with Evander Holyfield seem like a snack.
The specter of catastrophic danger always hovers over boxing, but Steward's point is worth considering. If Tyson, who still might be the sport's most feared puncher, and the hulking, relentless Lewis put aside the theatrics and actually get down to boxing, the fight possibly could be more a classic than a spectacle.
"This is a fight that's important to me, especially in this era of boxing," Lewis said. "It would be unfortunate for me if I don't fight the best boxers of this era.
"I don't have any hate for Tyson. We're two combatants and gladiators. I'm not worried about him biting me because he had a reason to bite Holyfield."
Both fighters have been relatively quiet since arriving last week, with Lewis appearing in public slightly more than Tyson. Lewis played chess with a young boy, and the champion's mother visited the Rev. Al Green, the singer who has a church in Memphis. Tyson ventured to an inner-city barber shop to sign autographs and pose for pictures.
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"I'm just ready to get it on and crush this guy's skull," Tyson said. "Show him who the real heavyweight champion is of the era."
It's not hard to anticipate the bout's early rounds. Lewis, with his 6-inch advantages in height and reach, will attempt to control Tyson's trademark rushes with a judicious jab. Tyson, who hopped around the weigh-in podium on Thursday like a caffeinated jackrabbit, will almost certainly attack furiously, hoping for an early knockout with a punch to Lewis' still-suspect jaw.
Given Tyson's history, there's still a good chance that the biggest fight in Memphis boxing history won't last more than a few minutes. The local fans might not mind, however. This may be the nation's 18th-largest city, but its residents aren't immune to starry eyes.
Large groups of locals combed through the famous Beale Street downtown entertainment district Thursday night in hopes of glimpsing one of the dozens of celebrities expected to hit town. A local TV newscaster urged viewers to get on the station's Internet site "if you've seen a celebrity or you know where one will be," before airing a story about just what it's like to ride in a limousine.
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Both Team Tyson and Lewis' camp agree that Tyson is the reason, for better or worse.
"A lot of people will just want to see what crazy thing Mike is going to do," Steward said.
"He's the best boxing entertainer out there," Tyson trainer Stacey McKinley said. "Mike is going to fight and entertain and give you everything he's got. That's why the entire world loves him."
