If anything, Lewis was probably afraid that Tyson would show up at the salon when Lewis was getting his hair done and start shooting. I think Tyson was crazy enough at that point to attack a man getting his hair washed in the shampoo bowl.
I think they were both scared of each other. The interview at the end of the fight explains it all. Lennox tells Tyson, that when he was young he was unstopabble, nobody could beat him and Tyson says Lennox is a great fighter Deep down, both had a lot of respect for each other. But they had different ways of showing it
i remember seeing a interview where he talked about sparring Tyson as a kid and he basically admitted Tyson kicked his ass in sparring and he was scarred..than i saw another interview where he acted like he did fine with tyson and wasnt scarred at all. i tend to believe the first one. But im sure lewis was a bit worried before he fought tyson...honestly..im no world champion..but i have been "a bit worried" before every fight i ever fought..i even get a few butterflies before sparring someone, even if its someone i am bigger than and have more experience than.
During the time period that they fought Lewis was not scared of Tyson at all. But there is an interview where Lewis admits that he didn't ever want to fight Tyson during the 80's. They showed it during the build up to the fight. Cus D'mato told Lewis that one day he and Tyson would be the two greatest HW's and that they would fight against one another for the title, Lewis replied "I hope not". But that was 80's Tyson vs 80's Lewis.
Wow, couldn't have said it better myself. You said it all, though I wish more people would realize this. :-((
Video footage used exsit of Mike dropping Lewis in the Catskill. The proof is in the record books of how sacred he really was.
just watched it again, and Lewis found his confidence by the 3rd and was in full control from the 4th on. Tyson was a pathetic & dejected past it fighter who threw nothing back, and yes Lennox was visably worried at the start, but discovered early that this is not the same man who provoked so much fear. Peak for Peak, Tyson murders him everytime!
I watched that fight live and never for a second though Lewis was scared or in anyway intimidated. His total domination of Tyson in that fight is the clear proof. Prime Lewis kos Prime Tyson every day of the week.
Prime Lewis couldn't knock out Ray Mercer and got hit repeatedly.Prime Mike had double, tripple the speed and explosiveness of Mercer. Knock out loss for Lewis early.
Tyson was a front runner. Lewis would do exactly what he did when they did fight and score another ko win.
I know this was a sd/md or something of the sort, but do not recall a major outcry about it??? Was there major grumbling over the outcome??? I am going to rewatch this for the weekend (along with Holmes vs spoon) and might even do a thread...if so hope you will chime in.