Planet's 'baddest' felled
BRITAIN's Lennox Lewis finally closed the book on Mike Tyson's chequered career with a crushing eighth round knockout that will almost certainly gain him entry into the International Boxing Hall of Fame.
Though Tyson edged out Lewis in the opening session at the Pyramid Arena in Memphis, Tennessee, on Saturday, he offered precious little else as Lewis, top right, went on to dominate the remaining seven rounds with relative ease to record one of the easiest wins of his championship reign and firmly cemented his name in boxing history with a devastating and thoroughly commanding performance.
London-born Lewis quickly gained confidence after his cautious start as his ramrod left jab started to connect ever more regularly on Tyson's bruised and battered face. Such was Lewis's superiority that he felled the former "baddest man on the planet" twice, cut him over both eyes and made him bleed furiously from the nose.
Both Lewis and Tyson were forced to stay apart in the build-up to the fight by their respective cable paymasters, Showtime and HBO, following their well- publicised bust up at a New York press conference in January but both men had nothing but praise for each other as soon as the action was over.
Tyson said afterwards: "Lennox was a masterful boxer tonight. I have a lot of respect for him. He's a great champion." But that did not stop Tyson from asking Lewis for a rematch. "I really appreciate Lewis giving me this chance when no one else would," Tyson continued. "But I really would like a rematch. I hope we can get it on again."
Lewis also paid tribute to Tyson. "He was a great champion in his day and he can take one hell of a punch. I hit him with everything but he really can take a punch. But I showed I'm a pugilistic master tonight."
As for a rematch Lewis said: "I'm just gonna take my time. I'm the best fighter in the world. I proved that tonight. I would definitely consider a rematch but it depends what the people want."
A rematch may be what Lewis, Tyson, HBO and Showtime want but the truth is Tyson showed absolutely nothing to warrant one. And there is very little evidence of the outcome being any different next time.
The 36-year-old New Yorker started positively enough, winning the first round on the Seconds Out scorecard but after that it was Lewis all the way.
From the second round onwards Lewis' punishing left jab connected with Tyson's head with alarming ease to set up what turned out to be one of the easiest victories of his career. The inevitable end came at 2.2: of the eighth round when a sickening Lewis right caught Tyson flush on the side of the jaw to send him crashing to the canvas for the second time in the round, stretching him out for the full count.
Lewis is now obligated to meet mandatory IBF challenger Chris Byrd. Quite what the future holds for Tyson is not clear. He will undoubtedly hold out for a return with Lewis but after viewing the fight on tape, both HBO and Showtime may not consider that a viable option.
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