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Overrated
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Mike Tyson's menace
It evaporated in the Memphis night air when he was outclassed by Lennox Lewis. Iron Mike will never seem dangerous again.
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Underrated
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Oscar De La Hoya
He had little to prove as a talent but -- in his resolute flattening of Fernando Vargas -- he finally showed he was committed to the violence of the sport as well.
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Annoying
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The pre-fight press conference
How did that venerable platform for promotional bombast become boxing's dark alley? Now, thanks to a few choice incidents, these affairs have become more thoroughly staffed than an airport check-in. No more plexiglass barriers between fighters, no more platoons of security. Failing that, no more press conferences.
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Breakthrough Performance of 2002
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Memphis!
The world of big-time boxing enjoyed a change of venue for Tyson-Lewis and, although casinos remained integral to the promotion (is there any economy in the world that is not supported by slot machines?), the Beale Street scene was a nice break from Las Vegas.
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Uplifting
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Uplifting?
This is boxing, baby.
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MVP
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Lennox Lewis
Let's give him his props, even though Mike Tyson didn't prove to be much of a test. Lewis' stature in his division ought to be recognized by more than a baubled belt. Look at it this way: What credibility does the heavyweight championship have if somebody else holds it?
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Storyline to Follow in 2003
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Don King
We don't know how he's going to do it, but we will enjoy watching King -- working the fringes with guys like John Ruiz -- somehow regain control of the heavyweight division.
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