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Lewis-Tyson will answer questions
JERSEY CITY, New Jersey (Ticker) -- The only interesting thing about Lennox Lewis' demolition of Frans Botha was that it happened so quickly. Lewis usually destroys his better opponents in two rounds or less while struggling with the guys marked as easy touches. Outside of Evander Holyfield, all the fighters who were given the best chance of defeating Lewis -- Razor Ruddock, Andrew Golota and Michael Grant -- fell within two rounds. The opponents in Botha's league, such as Shannon Briggs, Frank Bruno and Oliver McCall, usually give Lewis early trouble. McCall was little more than a professional sparring partner when he stunned Lewis with a second-round knockout in 1994 for Lewis' only defeat in 38 pro fights. So maybe heavyweight champion Lewis wanted to send a message against Botha, same as he did against Ruddock, Golota and Grant. But this time, the message was likely aimed at Mike Tyson. Remember, Botha gave Tyson a boxing lesson before getting caught and flattened in the fifth round last year. So by taking out Botha in two, Lewis proved he could destroy him faster than Tyson did. And at this stage of his career, the biggest driving force for Lewis is a matchup against Tyson. "Tell Mike Tyson, either put up or shut up," Lewis said after stopping Botha. "He's fighting guys like Lou Savarese and talking about being the best since (Jack) Dempsey and all that rubbish. He gave up his championship a long time ago. He's not even the best in his era. Evander Holyfield beat him twice. I'm the undisputed heavyweight champion. I'm the man at the top." Lewis didn't stop Botha with one punch as Tyson did, but he reeled off an impressive three-punch combination that sent Botha flying through the ropes "like an 80-pound man" as Lewis' trainer Emanuel Steward said. An impressive victory over David Tua later this year would complete the best year of Lewis' professional career. Yet he still needs Tyson. Why? Because there were fewer than 10,000 people in the house for the Botha fight, in Lewis' native England. Tyson attracts more attention than Lewis when he fights in England, and that no doubt bothers the champion. And no matter how impressive he looks against Grant, Botha or Tua, Lewis won't gain widespread recognition among non-boxing fans unless he defeats Tyson. Tyson supposedly didn't watch the Lewis-Botha fight, but he obviously heard about it. Botha isn't the only common opponent that Lewis has fared better against. Tyson struggled twice against Ruddock and lost twice to Holyfield -- a man Lewis dominated in one "draw" and won a decision against in the rematch. Tyson may fight Golota later this year, and he'll have a tough time matching Lewis' first-round knockout over the "Foul Pole."
So as tough as Tyson talks when the subject is Lewis, you can expect him to wait as long as possible before stepping in the ring with the champion. After all, Tyson doesn't need Lewis yet. He made $8 million against Lou Savarese this past month and can expect a similar payday against Golota. And as Tyson twice realized, winning the heavyweight championship doesn't guarantee happiness.
Low blowJulio Cesar Chavez should be ashamed of himself for knocking Willy Wise off the July 29 Kostya Tszyu-Chavez undercard. Chavez already earned and spent millions of dollars from his ring career, and now he's getting a payday he doesn't deserve against WBC junior welterweight champion Tszyu. Wise counts on boxing to supplement his full-time blue-collar job to feed his family, and was to fight for small change on the undercard. Yet when Chavez found out Wise was supposed to fight on the card in Phoenix, he went to the promoter and threatened to pull out of the fight unless Wise was dropped. What did Wise do to deserve such treatment? He had the audacity to beat Chavez this past September. That loss to Wise is one of the reasons the Nevada State Athletic Commission refused to sanction the Tszyu-Chavez fight, and Arizona Senator John McCain expressed concerns over the fight in his home state. Tszyu has spent much of the pre-fight publicity defending Chavez, who is practically no chance of winning by boxing insiders. Chavez, 38, was champion in three weight classes and is 103-3-2 with 86 knockouts, but hasn't been a great fighter in years. He lost twice to Oscar De La Hoya and had several questionable victories before Wise's upset. "The reason is that Chavez did not train," Tszyu said of the Wise bout. "If you don't train, your son can beat you. I just know he is a very tough guy. He is great offensive and defensive fighter. He's always very determined and proud. He has fought the best."
Just a little interestedLittle is known about Mamadou Thiam, the 28-year-old French-based junior middleweight who will challenge WBA junior middleweight champion Felix Trinidad Saturday night in Miami. And even less is expected of Thiam, whose 33-1 record with 30 KOs is filled with unrecognizable opponents. The fight was made as a tuneup for Trinidad, who expects bigger things later this year and early next.
Trinidad could be headed for a December 2 unification fight against IBF champion Fernando Vargas, and he still hopes for a rematch against De La Hoya or a showdown with Shane Mosley in 2001. Whether Trinidad takes Thiam seriously or not, Vargas says he will sweat out the fight because it could cost him his shot at Trinidad. Thiam and Ross Thompson, who challenges Vargas August 26, are the two obstacles to Trinidad-Vargas. "Trinidad goes down fairly easily," Vargas said. "I don't want him to go down (against Thiam), but if he does, I'll be rooting for him to get up and do his thing."
A rematch...of sortsKevin Barry, the New Zealander who defeated Holyfield in the 1984 Olympics by disqualification, wants a rematch. Only this time, Barry wants David Tua to do the fighting for him. Barry never turned pro, but he manages top-ranked contender Tua. Barry sees Tua defeating Lewis, Holyfield winning the vacant WBA title against John Ruiz and then the winners squaring off. "I hope that happens because it will mean that Dave has won (over Lewis)," Barry said. "And if that fight comes off, I guess I'd feel a lot better about my chances this time having David Tua going out and doing the work for me." Holyfield pummeled Barry for two rounds before he was disqualified for hitting on the break.
Trouble at the topWhen promoters Bob Arum, Dino Duva and Cedric Kushner testified against former IBF president Bob Lee in the on-going racketeering trial, they probably figured they could escape prosecution and serious trouble by lining up with the government against IBF officials. While they probably will escape prosecution despite admitting to paying bribes, the promoters could lose their boxing licenses. Nevada filed a complaint against Arum that could cost him his license and a $250,000 fine. Arum testified he paid the IBF $100,000 to sanction a heavyweight title fight between George Foreman and Axel Schulz. Kushner and Duva also admitted making improper payments. If Nevada takes action against Arum, other states probably will follow and the licenses of the other promoters also would come under review. That would be great news for Don King, who was the target when the federal government's investigation began but hasn't been charged with or admitted committing any crime.
Shot of the dayJack Mosley says his son Shane might knock out De La Hoya in the rematch. "There are still things Shane can do that he didn't do (the first fight). He could have knocked Oscar out that night, and he very well may knock him out in the rematch," Jack Mosley said.
© 2003 SportsTicker Enterprises, LP
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