Why did Tyson refuse to fight Lewis in 1996?

**Truth** · 02-25-2005, 04:23 PM

Originally posted by Anorak

Apologies if this is old news (I know I'm going back ten years) but I just came across it on boxrec. I wasn't following boxing so closely at this stage. I seem to recall that after the match he took instead (Seldon) Tyson said "I'm coming for you". Would this also be the period where Lennox's "put up or shut up" comment came from?

I thought Tyson said "I coming for you" after the Savarese fight in 2000 during his famous eat you children interview

, he was thinking of fighting Holyfield in 1996 not Lewis.

**Guest** · 02-25-2005, 04:41 PM

Originally posted by Mayweatherfan

I thought Tyson said "I coming for you" after the Savarese fight in 2000 during his famous eat you children interview

, he was thinking of fighting Holyfield in 1996 not Lewis.

Yeah, on Boxrec it says that Lewis was WBC mandatory at the time, and they stripped Tyson for fighting Seldon instead. Never knew that. I knew Lewis was paid money by King NOT to fight Tyson, but I thought that was a different period...

**Sir_Jose** · 02-25-2005, 04:43 PM

Originally posted by Anorak

Apologies if this is old news (I know I'm going back ten years) but I just came across it on boxrec. I wasn't following boxing so closely at this stage. I seem to recall that after the match he took instead (Seldon) Tyson said "I'm coming for you". Would this also be the period where Lennox's "put up or shut up" comment came from?

High risk low reward.

**The Fix** · 02-25-2005, 04:46 PM

i think it is for the same reason bowe didnt fight lewis.... why risk a loss to somebody who wont get you money

**Kimmy** · 02-25-2005, 05:27 PM

In a mandatory match Tyson only recieves 75% of a purse that had to be close to a combinded 60 million! Lewis was a dangerous opponent so why not Tyson just give up the WBC belt ( he had won the WBA from Seldon ) and feast on an old decaying Evander Holyfield for 30 million dollars ( Holyfield recieved 8 million for the first Tyson fight ). King believed Tyson would smash up the shot and faded Evander Holyfield, then bash up Micheal Moorer and face Lewis for the WBC title in 1997 sometimes, then Tyson would be able to command the lion share of the pay per view purse! Very good business actually!

**Sir_Jose** · 02-25-2005, 05:32 PM

Its not that he wouldn't have gotten money. Mike Tyson was going to make 20 Million no matter who he fought its just they didn't want to risk there meal ticket before they cashed in.

Bowe didn't fight Lewis because Rock Newman didn't think Bowe could win. They even took two fights that paid them much less had they fought Lewis.

**Run** · 02-25-2005, 06:06 PM

Lewis would have Knocked Bowe, and Tyson out at any point in their careers. Lewis punked Bowe in the Olympics, and Punked tyson out on PPV. Anyone who says "Tyson was washed up" is full of it. Lewis was older and more washed up. Lewis is just a superior fighter to the two, who are nothing but PPV attractions plain and simple.

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**Kimmy** · 02-25-2005, 06:32 PM

I agree that Bowe was made for Lewis. If Lewis had fought Tyson in 1996 i`d have gone with Lewis but i think Tyson still had something left. Not enough to outbox or out smart lewis but he could take a few licks and maybe land a punch....in 1996 it may have been possible and lewis doesn`t re-act well when hit does he!

**Zn1** · 02-25-2005, 08:37 PM

Originally posted by Kimmy

I agree that Bowe was made for Lewis. If Lewis had fought Tyson in 1996 i`d have gone with Lewis but i think Tyson still had something left. Not enough to outbox or out smart lewis but he could take a few licks and maybe land a punch....in 1996 it may have been possible and lewis doesn`t re-act well when hit does he!

lol yeah if mccall can do it tyson could.

tyson probably had more chance of beating lewis than holy
based on chins...skillwise tyson has one way.

ko or nothing

Why did Tyson refuse to fight Lewis in 1996?