Why did Mike Tyson duck Lennox Lewis in 1996 after beating Bruce Seldon?

[BangEM]

In 1996, Lennox Lewis was Mike Tyson's mandatory for the WBC belt. But he paid Lennox Lewis $4million to step aside so he could fight Bruce Seldon in a unification fight. And Lennox was promised his shot after the fight.

But after beating Bruce Seldon, Mike Tyson ducked Lennox and dropped the WBC belt to fight Holyfield.

[Chuckguy]

In 1996, Lennox Lewis was Mike Tyson's mandatory for the WBC belt. But he paid Lennox Lewis $4million to step aside so he could fight Bruce Seldon in a unification fight. And Lennox was promised his shot after the fight.

But after beating Bruce Seldon, Mike Tyson ducked Lennox and dropped the WBC belt to fight Holyfield.

Why more money to fight holy at the time right? Those two fights remain in the top 10 or so in PPV numbers
Can’t compare the Lewis one because that over marinated

[BangEM]

Why more money to fight holy at the time right? Those two fights remain in the top 10 or so in PPV numbers
Can’t compare the Lewis one because that over marinated

The Lennox fight generated more money than both Holyfield fights. And he kept ducking Lennox until he was 36 and in debt.

Why's that? The baddest man on the planet shouldn't be ducking the "English muffin" (the name Americans used to call Lennox) since he was eager to fight Frank Bruno twice.

[4truth]

Tyson was already well into decline before he went away to prison in 92. He didn't get out till 95 and you are talking about 96 like this is some kind of vintage Tyson.

[Larry the boss]

At the time Holyfield was worth more money to fight..Lewis was not really a big name then and more risk....pretty easy explanation

[BangEM]

Tyson was already well into decline before he went away to prison in 92. He didn't get out till 95 and you are talking about 96 like this is some kind of vintage Tyson.

He was just 30. HWs don't decline at 30.

[BangEM]

At the time Holyfield was worth more money to fight..Lewis was not really a big name then and more risk....pretty easy explanation

So you agree it was a duck, no?

[4truth]

He was just 30. HWs don't decline at 30.

I was thinking that lifestyle and dedication might affect an athletes performance but it's only about age then?

[Chuckguy]

The Lennox fight generated more money than both Holyfield fights. And he kept ducking Lennox until he was 36 and in debt.

Why's that? The baddest man on the planet shouldn't be ducking the "English muffin" (the name Americans used to call Lennox) since he was eager to fight Frank Bruno twice.

Dude the Lewis fight generated more money because it marinated for years ****** I fawking told you that in the first post.
In 96 Lewis was a no one that fight would have been 99% Tyson
God you are slow

[MartialMind]

He was just 30. HWs don't decline at 30.

Was Mike like most heavyweights? He had mentally self-destructed by 1990 at least.

He lost most of his original team who guided him to becoming a champ, had gone through a bitter public divorce, was admittedly suffering from mental illness and was on a lot of prescription meds and lost the Buster Douglas fight because he didn't train and spent the night before the fight partying with Bobby Brown and **********s until the early morning.

Him going to prison for **** was more a symptom of his decline than what caused it.

His fights post-prison were the equivalent of muscle memory at most.