INSIDE REPORT: LEWIS VS. TYSON IS ON! INCLUDES INSIDE INTERVIEWS WITH HAROLD LEDERMAN AND LARRY MERCHANT

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By Ron Brashear

Inside Boxing Writer

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (INSIDE BOXING 06/07/02) - Memphis has dubbed Saturday Night's fight as "THE RUMBLE ON THE RIVER" and early forecasts are indicating that the LEWIS/TYSON fight will generate between 30-50 Million dollars for the city.

The city has the "DRAMA MAGNET", Mike Tyson, to thank for bringing this type of turnout to the South! The majority of the buzz floating around is "what will Tyson do?".

Mike has the boxing community very tuned in and ALL EYES ARE ON MIKE. Despite Mike's level of activity in the ring over the past couple of years, 19 rounds, in 2 1/2 years, he continues to MAGNETIZE the public to be on hand to watch the DRAMA unfold. Now this is astonishing for a guy that when asked "Are you a role model, replied, "As a role model, I can teach you what not to do." Mike even jokingly told the press that if he wins the title Saturday night, he may even tattoo his face. When asked what would he put on it?, Mike stated "Now you are trying to make me be obscene."

I interviewed Harold Lederman, HBO Judge, and here is what Harold had to say:

Q: Harold- what is your take on Saturday night's fight?

A: "I think its a very tough call, either fighter can win. Lennox Lewis, I thought was a few pounds heavier than I would have liked to have seen him, but still looks in good shape.

Mike Tyson is coming to win, no doubt about it. He is looking to make huge money and wants huge paydays in the future."

Q: Do you think the difference in size will determine the outcome?

A: "I have always felt that Mike has been good against big guys. He proved that recently when he whacked out Lou Saverese in the 1st round, Frank Bruno early, Andrew Golota early. If there was ever a short guy that was great against big fighters its Mike Tyson, plus the fact he hits so hard with that one punch knockout power, makes the fight very interesting."

Q: There are two Lennox Lewis'- which one do you think will show up?

A: "All great fighters, rather Lennox, Roy Jones, etc., they all train to the level of their opposition. If he thought Mike Tyson was going to be easy, he would have took it easy in the gym. But we know better than that. Lennox trained like hell and you are going to see the best Lennox Lewis you have ever seen."

Q: Do you have a prediction?

A: "Its a very close call. I'm sitting on the fence. Of course as a judge, I can not offer a prediction and I will call it just like I see it. Mike could very well win because he has the power. For Lennox, this is his defining fight of his life, he's got to win it or he is not going to be able to live with himself. Everyone is always asking him, when are going to fight Mike Tyson? Well, now he is fighting Mike Tyson. He has to make a statement that hey, I am a great Heavyweight champion, I belong up there with the Ali, Dempsey, Marciano, Joe Louis, etc. Lennox needs this fight and he needs to look good."

Q: If Mike wins in dramatic fashion and sets up a Holyfield III show down, what will this do for Mike as far as the public perception in the boxing community?

A: "Without question, as long as he doesn't do anything wacky, it would be great. I would like to see that fight again. I thought Evander couldn't pull the trigger anymore and then he looked so good against Rahman. I owe Evander Holyfield an apology big time. He saw the openings against Rahman and the punches were flowing. He must be drinking the water from the fountain of youth. I would also like to see the big Russian Vladamir Klitschko get a shot at the title."

Q: Do you feel that Mike Tyson is a drama magnet?

A: "Oh yeah, that's what guys want to see. People want to see a real mean fighter. That's what Mike brings to the ring. He brings that aggressiveness, that ora of invisibility. Watching Mike Tyson come into the ring is like watching all the legendary guys, like Stanley Ketchel, Dempsey, who fought in bars, we haven't seen that in a long time. Mike is a throw back. He comes from Brownsville, Brooklyn, where Riddick Bowe and Mark Breland are from, You don't walk through the streets of Brownsville if you can 't fight. Mike Tyson brings to the ring what a fighter is suppose to bring to the ring, DANGER!"

I was also able to get a few minutes of HBO analyst, Larry Merchant's time and here is his view:

Q: Larry - do you think once Lennox feels Mike's power, he will retreat and go back to being a cautious fighter?

A: "Its possible. But when a fighter goes into the fight respecting the power of the opponent, there is an emotional and mental component of being able to take a punch. He will be better prepared to take a punch. I think the story may be what happens if he gets hit several times, which is going to happen. If he can deal with that, then I think he is going to win the fight." 

Q: What do think it will do for Mike's career if he shocks us all by coming out and starches Lewis?

A: "I think he sees it as a way of redeeming his whole life in some fashion and he is highly motivated. It will keep him going, it will enable him to balance his checkbook."

Q: Especially if it sets up TYSON/HOLYFIELD III. What's your take on this?

A: "I think Holyfield is the last fighter on the planet he wants to see. He knows he can not beat Holyfield."

Q: Do you think the American fight crowd will rally behind Tyson because Lewis is not an American fighter?

A: "I think they will be sentimental on the side of Tyson because he is an American and I think Lewis has never gotten full credit for how good he is because he is not an American."

Q: Do you think Mike would be more approachable by the media if we provided a more balanced approach, i.e. talk about the positive things that Mike does in the community etc?

A: "I don't know that the image of boxers mean a great deal in the communities. I'm a little bit of a skeptic that its sort of like corporations that do a lot work in the community and improve their reputation but who knows what's going on inside their corporation. Tyson's record is Tyson's record. Its very clear what it is both, inside and outside of the ring. Some people will never root for a guy with his wrap sheet."

So, as you can see, there is a lot of BUZZ going on in Memphis and Saturday night, 6/8 will be special!

You have just gone insideBOXING.com.

Ron Brashear can be contacted at brashear@insideboxing.com