Tyson vs Lewis: why it didn't happen(1996)

Danny · Feb 3, 2011

Beeston Brawler said: ↑

King wasn't prepared to put a ring rusty Tyson in with a prime Lewis (and pay big bucks to both) without a water tight contingency plan - basically a long term agreement to promote Lennox.

Given that Lewis was always fully in control of his own affairs and had seen the state other boxers had gotten into when under King's control.... seems like a smart move to me.

Taking this into account King manoevred Tyson towards Holyfield, who was pretty much in limbo, having not long been stopped by Riddick..... and because King felt that Holyfield was done it was a pretty safe, big money ticking over affair until they could come to some agreement with the Lewis camp.

Obviously what happened happened, Tyson lost badly twice, Lewis kept winning and ended up colliding with Holyfield himself. From that point on, Tyson was fighting joke opponents on a European tour...... the Lewis fight wasn't even on the radar until the shock KO loss to Rahman, by which time Mike was broke and TV wanted the fight big.

It's a bit lazy to assume that either ducked the other...... sure King offered Lewis a career high payday, but with what conditions?

Lewis always had the get-out of being able to fight big names in England and generate huge $$$$$. The American HW's didn't really have that and were forced to dance to King's tune as and when he wished.
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No doubt there would have been conditions & you can't blame King for that. That's Business & any Promoter with an ounce of common sense would include an option or options in the offer made to Lewis!

However, an offer, a career-high offer up to that point of his career, was made to Lewis!

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Tyson vs Lewis: why it didn't happen(1996)

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Tyson vs Lewis: why it didn't happen(1996)

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