LENNOX LEWIS CAN RELAX
LAS VEGAS (INSIDE BOXING) The decision by the Nevada State Athletic Commission to deny heavyweight boxer Mike Tyson a license to fight in their State was a major surprise.
On the surface the decision seemed an easy one. In reality there was heated debate on both sides.
To deny their State the infusion of the millions of dollars that would surely have accompanied a heavyweight championship bout between Mike Tyson and Lennox Lewis was and will be a point of debate for years to come.
To allow the type of lewd gestures and vulgar language that are associated with Mike Tyson to remain in their State for the next few months while promoting the fight was a thought that was simply too much to bear.
If the decision would have GRANTED Tyson his Nevada boxing license there could be little argument that, following the September 11th disaster, the State of Nevada and City of Las Vegas desperately needed the economic windfall.
In DENYING Tyson his boxing license the Nevada Athletic Commission took into account prior shenanigans and subsequent apologies offered by Tyson.
In the weeks leading up to and including fight time there would unquestionably be many more instances of verbal and physical assaults offered by Mike Tyson.
The acknowledgement by Tyson himself that he is “no role model” and that “I deserve the right to earn a living” makes one question our own interest in the sport of boxing. The spoken mentality of Tyson is that of any common thug or street hoodlum. But let’s not forget what boxing, on the professional level, is mainly comprised of.
There should be no argument from even the casual observer that Mike Tyson is a classic sociopath. That he surrounds himself with persons who will never leave the “cash cow” until the money dries up is not surprising. That he goes on verbal and physical rampages is not surprising. The surprise is that we still expect MORE of Mike Tyson!
Mike Tyson is what Mike Tyson has always been. That was further verified by his own statement that if he should ever see Lennox Lewis on the street, that is where the fight will take place.
This is the world where Mike Tyson really exists. The streets are where he comes from. Sadly, his return to those same streets will probably have him meet his own demise as have so many before him.
The Nevada State Athletic Commission was uncomfortable with the realization that at some point someone will be held accountable for the ultimate demise of Mike Tyson. They wanted nothing to do with that accountability.
Lennox Lewis released a statement, after the Commission finding had been released, claiming “a big chunk of my thigh” was bitten by Tyson in the press conference announcing the LEWIS VS TYSON match. Lewis went on to say that he will decide in the next few weeks whether he will fight Mike Tyson in another venue.
Lennox Lewis can relax. He never really wanted to fight Mike Tyson. The huge payday was all he was ever really interested in. Mike Tyson has successfully intimidated, harassed and scared the shit out of Lennox Lewis from day one!
It’s pretty apparent that Lennox Lewis was going to use the Nevada State Athletic Commission finding to support his own agenda. If they vote “Yes” Tyson can fight, Lewis contends look at the animal that has been allowed to fight all in the sake of a few million dollars. If they vote “No” then the decision on whether to fight Tyson at all rests in Lewis’ own corner.
Lewis’ decision on fighting Tyson will not be nearly as hard as the one of the Nevada State Athletic Commission. The “out clause” he was looking for was given to him on a silver platter courtesy of none other than Mike Tyson himself.
So, once again the heavyweight division rests comfortably in the lap of Lennox Lewis. The names Byrd, Klitschko, Whitaker, Ruiz and Holyfield arouse no interest in any true fight fan.
Save those printed posters advertising the LEWIS vs TYSON fight. Those posters can serve as the headstone on the grave of the heavyweight division.
Stephen S. Johnson
01/29/02