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Surprise Tyson shows up to watch Lewis's workout in Manhattan
NEW YORK (Reuters) -- Lennox Lewis can't seem to avoid the specter of Mike Tyson. The current heavyweight champion sparred three rounds on Tuesday in a mid-town Manhattan workout to publicize his November 11 fight against David Tua. But typically, Tyson loomed over the proceedings -- this time literally. Tyson reportedly eased into the large anteroom of the ornate Grand Central Station on 42nd Street where Lewis worked out and stood in the back of a crowd of about 300 people. "He was wearing a black cap and a black leather jacket," said Brian Little, a spokesman for Media Works, which is handling publicity for the Lewis-Tua fight at the Mandalay Bay hotel in Las Vegas. "I don't know if he saw Lennox spar or not," Little told reporters after Tyson had left. "I just happened to see him in the back, and I went up to him to see if we could bring him over. But all he said was, 'I'm not talking. I'm not talking.'" A relaxed, affable Lewis was asked why he thought Tyson had appeared. "I'm an enigma to him. He's trying to figure me out." And then with a smile, Lewis said, "It's nice of him to grace my workout." Despite Lewis' insistence that he didn't want to talk about Tyson, the one-time youngest heavyweight champion ever obviously was on his mind. "The mystique is gone for Tyson after Evander Holyfield beat him. I don't see him having the [testosterone] to get in and box me," said Lewis, before conceding that Tyson has "a great name behind him" and would "definitely be a challenge for me." Lewis referred to Tyson's last fight earlier this month when Andrew Golota quit after the second round and stalked out of the ring. Golota later complained of head butts. "Obviously, I'm not the kind of guy to walk out of the ring because of a little head-butt," Lewis said. "I can assure people I definitely won't walk out of the ring and David Tua won't walk out. He's got the warrior instinct," said Lewis who will receive about $10 million to Tua's $4 million. Next week's fight is important for boxing, said Lewis in a reference to Tyson-Golota, so fans won't wind up "feeling ripped off." Lewis said Tua, 28, deserved the title shot as the mandatory opponent and that he couldn't wait for Tyson, "a guy who doesn't want to fight me." Lewis (36-1-1) also said he and likely boxing fans had little interest in a third bout with Evander Holyfield. "Holyfield is an old man," Lewis said. Once again Lewis was asked about the possibility of fighting Tyson, a bout generally regarded as a huge moneymaker for both men. There has been talk of a Lewis-Tyson fight early next year, assuming that their rival pay-per-view networks can reach agreement on broadcasting the bout. "Obviously, Tyson's got a fanfare," said the 35-year-old Lewis. "It would be a great fight for this era, for this time." But Lewis, who holds the World Boxing Council and International Boxing Federation titles, said he wanted to concentrate on Tua. "If I don't beat David Tua, I can't talk about Tyson." Lewis played down the 37-1 Tua's much-heralded punching power, especially from his left hook. "Obviously, I'm concerned about it, but I realize that's his only asset. "David Tua has been boxing against guys who couldn't take a punch," said Lewis, adding, "David Tua thinks he can come all the way from New Zealand, box a couple of cruiserweights and box Lennox Lewis." Lewis was asked whether he thought it was fair of people to want more out of him, for him to be more exciting. "I deal with the sweet science of the sport. I'm not just out there to knock people out," he said, adding that he displays speed, defense and offense. "I'm giving them more as it is. They need to open their eyes."
Copyright 2003 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved.
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