Tyson Question

[ThatOne]

Did he duck Lennox Lewis in 1996 to fight Bruce Seldon?

[Controversial]

From NY Times dated July 4th 1996

"The World Boxing Council wants Tyson to defend against Lennox Lewis of England, a former champion and now its No. 1 contender. Lewis turned down a $13.5 million guarantee to fight Tyson. Lewis then accepted $4 million from King to step aside and allow Tyson to fight Seldon, with the proviso that Tyson, assuming he beat Seldon, would fight Lewis next. Tyson is expected to receive $30 million for fighting Seldon"

Tyson fought Seldon on the 7th September and was stripped of his WBC belt before the fight for not fighting Lewis who was the mandatory contender

[SteveO]

Tyson reluctantly relinquished the WBC version of the title on 24th September 1996 (a couple of weeks after the Tyson-Seldon WBA title fight) because he was unable to fulfill his mandatory defence obligation against Lennox Lewis.
Neither Tyson nor Lewis could accept the fight due to contractual problems between the U.S ‘HBO’ and ‘SHOWTIME’ T.V. stations.
The WBC announced Lewis v McCall for the vacant title.
Hope this helps :-)

[Goodnight, Irene]

It's a shame this fight didn't happen. For mine, it's the only time a fight between the two is difficult to call.

In 2002, it was all Lewis. Had they met any time prior to Tyson's prison stint, it's all Tyson, &, in a prime-for-prime hypothetical, I think Tyson just obliterates him with the speed factor, scoring an early knockout.

In 1996? Tyson was on the down-swing, but still had reflexes & a punch, & Lewis, getting better with each fight, on the way up. Neither were truly prime (though, within about twelve months, Lewis had made that transition). It's interesting to imagine who would've taken it.

[SteveO]

Yes, it would have been a great fight in 1996. Shame the rival TV networks couldn't sort out their differences at the time.

[Goodnight, Irene]

Yes, it would have been a great fight in 1996. Shame the rival TV networks couldn't sort out their differences at the time.

Funny how a little thing like more money on the table can change that

[Rocky Balboa]

It's a shame this fight didn't happen. For mine, it's the only time a fight between the two is difficult to call.

In 2002, it was all Lewis. Had they met any time prior to Tyson's prison stint, it's all Tyson, &, in a prime-for-prime hypothetical, I think Tyson just obliterates him with the speed factor, scoring an early knockout.

In 1996? Tyson was on the down-swing, but still had reflexes & a punch, & Lewis, getting better with each fight, on the way up. Neither were truly prime (though, within about twelve months, Lewis had made that transition). It's interesting to imagine who would've taken it.

If it happened in 1996, I see value in putting money on Tyson to win. He was still fit, ferocious, powerful & fast then. His defense was not what it was, but if he caught Lewis flush I'm afraid it would be over!

It would be interesting to see if this version of Lewis would come out to meet fire with fire? Shame it did not happen in 1996! The 2002 version was shit. Tyson was shot to bits!

[Goodnight, Irene]

I don't agree Tyson was fit during his comeback in the mid-90's. Think that was dispelled when he met Holyfield during the year in question. Lewis was a little clumsier & more at-risk then, though.