JOhnny boy I guess after being ripped off by his accountant and having to start again and then having Kostya owing him a Mil he wanted to kep close so that he knew he was getting his money The realisation that Kostya had some big fights comming up would have also been a lot to do with it as well but if someone owed you that sort of money said I will pay you with the earnings of my next few fights you would have a vested interest in him winning and getting those fights so you were going to get paid
I think that's explained pretty well in the book too... Johhny Boy you should go back to the start where it was instilled in a young Johnny Lewis by his mum that he should see the good in people...like look for the positives....but anyway you debuted on this thread solely for a $hitstir so go for your life....it's all fun.:thumbsup
cedrichw, in that case Lewis chose pragmatism over principles. Nothing wrong with that I guess, as most of us do the same. darkhorse, I didn't really read that part of the book as I was more interested in the Fenech period and beyond. If Lewis did really see the good in people then he would've believed Tszyu that it was all a misunderstanding and, since Tszyu came good on the repayment of the $800k, there was no need to air it in his book. Who do you think gave Lewis the info on the coaster? My bet is Mordey. ps. not here just for the shitstir :bbb, it's the first thread I posted in and I haven't had the time to start on the other threads.
Hey no worries mate.....I'm all for a bit of balance in any argument....as you've probably already worked out I'm a Johnny Lewis man....grew up loving the guy(I'm the same age as Harding and Fenech)....to me he's one of those Aussie sporting icons,much in the same way as Jack Gibson and Wayne Benentt. Lookin' forward to furthur debate... cheerz mate. :bbbhaha....I like all these little smilies on here...pow pow.:tong
Kostya doesn't come out looking that good, and Lewis seems to hold back on him rather than intentionally spray him. The amount was meant to be $1mil according to Lewis, and Kostya offered $800k, and then only on the proviso that Lewis remained in Kostya's corner for 2 more bouts!
I think the effect has been the same whether it was a spray or not judging by what most here are now thinking of Tszyu. Tszyu's could've told Lewis he wasn't going to give him a cent and to take it through the courts. Given that there was no written contract and depending on the evidence in court, either side could've done a lot worse out of this. Both did well resolving it as they did. Lewis could've walked after the two bouts and his payment but didn't. If Tszyu shafted him and Lewis really did believe it then there was no reason (other than 10% of $5mil) for Lewis to stay on with Tszyu for the Hatton fight.
He could've taken it through the courts, bankrupted Tszyu or sought an order for a % of future earnings to guarantee his $1mil.
You'll need to read the whole book to get everything in context JB. The Kostya money saga is about the only disappointing aspect of the book and probably Johnny's career the way I read it. But Lewis is a top shelf guy with enormous character IMO, and he just gets on with life.
and whilst going through the courts as he did with mordey he losses a fight or 2 has no title is washed up no one wants to pay him big money to fight again and johnny gets 10% of a couple of grand not smart to me
ill never forget hearing lewis screaming at kostya to "get on with it" after hattons low blow. I remember being absolutely stunned like what the **** are you doing johnny??? seriously, what trainer in their right mind EVER tells their fatigued, battered and losing fighter who is sucking in the big ones after having his nuts crushed to HURRY UP?? After hearing this things seem alot murkier now
Most of them mate. The great Mick Canavan would say "Stop whinging & get on with it" Complaining diverts focus & makes a fighter vulnerable, even when they have every right to, if the referee doesn't step in, & the fighter shows he's hurt, he'll get pounced on quick smart. I should say though, Johnny is a way from perfect, but he's an Erskineville knockabout. Hardly the home of Mary McKillop.