The Disrespect shown to Lennox Lewis

[Kid McCoy]

Lennox Lewis DID NOT HAVE TO ACCEPT step-a-side money, he could have said NO and went ahead with fighting Tyson for a career highest payday and a guaranteed title shot

No he wouldn't because Tyson then vacated the belt anyway.

Btw, Sonnyboy, how/where do you rate Rid**** Bowe?

[sonnyboyx2]

Bowe was a good fighter and i would rate him on a par with Lennox Lewis, both 15-20 All time heavyweights

what about you Kid?

[Sugarj]

Hi Sonnybox, only a few days ago you said:

'Lewis just does not match-up to Bowe in any department of the sport of boxing'.

and today:

'i would rate him on a par with Lennox Lewis, both 15-20 All time heavyweights'

You are consistent only in your inconsistency!

And I very much doubt that Chris Byrd or John Ruiz offered any threat to Lewis's crown. The public were happier seeing him fight Grant and Tua who were seen as real threats!

[TheGreatA]

Lennox Lewis DID NOT HAVE TO ACCEPT step-a-side money, he could have said NO and went ahead with fighting Tyson for a career highest payday and a guaranteed title shot

BOXING; Deal With Lewis Frees Tyson to Seek Title

By GERALD ESKE****
Published: Friday, May 17, 1996

Mike Tyson's march to regaining the unified heavyweight crown was back in step yesterday. And all it took was $4 million.

As a result of the deal for that amount he made yesterday with Lennox Lewis, Tyson is now free to go after Bruce Seldon's World Boxing Association title while Lewis, the British challenger with the crushing right, will meet Rid**** Bowe in a nontitle affair in September.

Tyson has already regained the World Boxing Council belt following his three-year layoff in prison. After he presumably defeats Seldon, in a bout on July 13, he can go after the holder of the International Boxing Federation crown, which is vacant. Michael Moorer and Axel Schulz will meet for that title June 22 in Germany.

Meanwhile, Bowe -- who said yesterday he kept fighting because "I must fight Tyson one day" -- will face Andrew Golota on July 11 in Madison Square Garden. It is the showpiece of another attractive Garden card, which includes Ray Mercer, Shannon Briggs and Arturo Gatti.

Lewis had been mandated by a New Jersey court to be Tyson's next opponent. But Tyson isn't quite ready for Lewis. His three fights since his return 14 months ago have been walkovers in which he has earned more than $60,000 a second.

So Tyson settled with Lewis to step aside. As part of the deal, Lewis will be permitted an interim fight -- the September bout with Bowe -- and Tyson can go on to fight for the I.B.F. title.

http://www.nytimes.com/1996/05/17/sp...rssnyt&emc=rss

[sonnyboyx2]

BOXING; Deal With Lewis Frees Tyson to Seek Title

By GERALD ESKE****
Published: Friday, May 17, 1996

Mike Tyson's march to regaining the unified heavyweight crown was back in step yesterday. And all it took was $4 million.

As a result of the deal for that amount he made yesterday with Lennox Lewis, Tyson is now free to go after Bruce Seldon's World Boxing Association title while Lewis, the British challenger with the crushing right, will meet Rid**** Bowe in a nontitle affair in September.

Tyson has already regained the World Boxing Council belt following his three-year layoff in prison. After he presumably defeats Seldon, in a bout on July 13, he can go after the holder of the International Boxing Federation crown, which is vacant. Michael Moorer and Axel Schulz will meet for that title June 22 in Germany.

Meanwhile, Bowe -- who said yesterday he kept fighting because "I must fight Tyson one day" -- will face Andrew Golota on July 11 in Madison Square Garden. It is the showpiece of another attractive Garden card, which includes Ray Mercer, Shannon Briggs and Arturo Gatti.

Lewis had been mandated by a New Jersey court to be Tyson's next opponent. But Tyson isn't quite ready for Lewis. His three fights since his return 14 months ago have been walkovers in which he has earned more than $60,000 a second.

So Tyson settled with Lewis to step aside. As part of the deal, Lewis will be permitted an interim fight -- the September bout with Bowe -- and Tyson can go on to fight for the I.B.F. title.

http://www.nytimes.com/1996/05/17/sp...rssnyt&emc=rss

Lewis never went ahead with the Bowe fight claiming he was concentrating on regaining his WBC title

[TheGreatA]

Lewis never went ahead with the Bowe fight claiming he was concentrating on regaining his WBC title

I'd say it's rather because Bowe was destroyed by Golota and retired.

[sonnyboyx2]

Hi Sonnybox, only a few days ago you said:

'Lewis just does not match-up to Bowe in any department of the sport of boxing'.

and today:

'i would rate him on a par with Lennox Lewis, both 15-20 All time heavyweights'

You are consistent only in your inconsistency!

And I very much doubt that Chris Byrd or John Ruiz offered any threat to Lewis's crown. The public were happier seeing him fight Grant and Tua who were seen as real threats!

no inconsistency there.. i dont think that Lewis matches up to Bowe in any department and would rate them both in the 15-20 positions... IMO and many other boxing fans opinion both Ruiz & Byrd posed a huge threat to Lewis, i would favor Byrd to easily win a UD over Lewis, Lewis would also have had his work cut-out with Ruiz who would have put up a far better show than Michael Grant

[sonnyboyx2]

I'd say it's rather because Bowe was destroyed by Golota and retired.

Rock Newman offered Lewis $10 million `Live` on BBC television which was turned down

[TheGreatA]

Rock Newman offered Lewis $10 million `Live` on BBC television which was turned down

When did he do this?

In case you didn't read the article I posted, Lewis was supposed to fight Bowe for the WBC interim title but Bowe went onto get whipped by Golota in two brutal fights that ended his career.

Lewis then fought for the vacant WBC title which Tyson had vacated to fight Seldon and Holyfield instead of Lewis.

[Sugarj]

Sonnybox, read the English 'does not match' does not mean 'on a par'! Your own wording.

Why dont you start a poll? Lennox Lewis vs Chris Byrd or Lennox Lewis vs John Ruiz. Lets see who agrees with you!