Mike Tyson expressed disappointment that his
last-second offer to fight world heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis in May or June was rejected in favor of an April 21 fight in South Africa.
"It's a bummer. How can he pass up this chance?" Tyson told boxing internet
website HouseofBoxing.com.
Tyson accused Lewis of ducking him, even though months passed with no pitch
from Tyson's camp before Lewis made a deal to fight American Hasim Rahman, a
bout set for in Johannesburg.
"I'm pretty depressed," said Tyson. "I was pretty happy. I can always use
the money. How can he turn it down? I'm the only fight out there for him. I'll
fight him anywhere. Just give me my price.
"What's he going to South Africa for, to make a political statement, to be
the first black heavyweight champion to fight there? Hey, it's all about Tyson.
The people in South Africa don't need to see him fight. They need money to help
them."
A Lewis-Tyson fight would likely be the richest bout in boxing history,
with each fighter likely to be paid $30 million for the showdown of a
small, violent ex-champion and a tall ring king who has dominated all
comers.
"Lennox Lewis can't get more money than Mike Tyson," Tyson said.
And he was not fearful about guaranteeing a rematch.
"There won't be a rematch," Tyson said. "He will be dead."
Shelly Finkel, Tyson's adviser, met with Lewis business manager Adrian Ogun
in New York last Friday. Finkel said they agreed Lewis would bypass Rahman and
Tyson would drop a planned April or May fight against Nigeria's David Izon.
"After all the hoopla, all the 'I want Mike,' when push comes to shove, it
looks like Lennox is not interested," said Finkel.
A major roadblock to the deal would be the requirement for Lewis telecaster
HBO and Tyson backer Showtime to negotiate on money and decide which would have rights
to the bout, similar to the hurdle Lewis faced to fight Evander Holyfield.
"That should be no impediment," said Finkel.
Finkel said Lewis' camp suggested a July 21 date to fight Tyson, but Finkel
countered with a later date, most likely November, when pay-per-view timing would
be at its peak.
And through it all, Tyson wondered why Lewis would not ditch Rahman for a
last-minute offer to make the convicted rapist and assailant next on his fight
card rather than Rahman.
"Why does (Lewis) want to fight him for? Is that going to glorify him?"
Tyson said. "Or does he really want to fight me?"