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What's next?

Scenarios for the heavyweight division post Lewis-Tyson

Posted: Thursday June 06, 2002 3:28 PM

By Evan Kanew, Special to CNNSI.com

MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- The Super Bowl of boxing. The richest bout in the sport's history. The most important heavyweight title fight ever. With $20 million spent on marketing such propaganda, the Lewis-Tyson promotion has pushed the hype envelope for a match featuring a pair of thirtysomethings who should have tested each other at least five years ago.

And it seems to be working. There is no denying that this is a climactic occasion, boxing at its big-event best. There is no question this fight has not only energized boxing fans, but also captured attention beyond its niche audience. There's buzz here in Memphis, which is hosting media -- some 600 press credentials strong -- representing all the populated continents of the globe. During a sports week packed with the final series in the NBA and NHL, a tennis Grand Slam, a Triple Crown chance, not to mention the World Cup, "The Rumble on the River" seems to be holding its own.

The question is, how long will boxing's rediscovered crossover appeal last? How long will it take for the high induced by this Tennessee waltz to become a full-blown Blues City hangover?

Taking a look over the mountain top, there's not much on the other side. So enjoy your fix. It won't get any better than this. Here are some possibilities for the future of boxing's glamour division:

  • Re-run: First of all, it may take the rest of the year for the Lewis-Tyson rivalry to play out. A potential rematch has already been discussed. If it's a clean fight, and especially if Tyson takes Lewis' title, these two will almost certainly meet again. Besides, Saturday night's principals remain the only names with any drawing power.

  • Recycling: There's also 39-year-old Evander Holyfield, lingering after his ugly win over Hasim Rahman last weekend and lining up for a third go-round with whomever emerges Saturday as the champion. Rahman could also be in the mix. Meanwhile, David Tua is hanging out near the top of the ratings, hoping for another payday.

  • Re-unification: Not that anyone in the general public can decipher boxing's alphabet soup, but consolidating the titles may create a swell of manufactured interest. Remember, despite all the good work Team Lewis did to unify the major championships, the heavyweight crown is already splintered, with John Ruiz holding the WBA belt. But the limited Ruiz excites no one, and neither Lewis nor Tyson may be interested in fighting the IBF's mandatory challenger, Chris Byrd, a talented but frustrating southpaw, who has a legal claim to a title shot by the fall.

  • Revolution: Who's got next? Is there a fresh, young challenger to ride the rising tide? The robotic Klitschko brothers, current WBO champ Wladimir and former WBO champ Vitaly, are in the mix. So is one of Lewis' former sparring partners, Jameel McCline. But the most marketable newcomer, 2000 Olympic super-heavyweight gold medalist Audley Harrison (5-0 as a pro), is at least another five fights from any meaningful competition, and according to one respected matchmaker, "I got 50 guys over here who could beat him pillar to post."

    It could be years before the rise of a dynamic talent in the division who can sustain the interest of the general sports fan.

    So, to all of you in the largest pay-per-view universe in history (according to the bout's broadcasters, the fight is available in a record 50 million homes), enjoy Saturday night's main event. Boxing fans, get your big-fight fix. And remember when you wake up on Sunday morning, a good breakfast, plenty of water and some fresh air should cure at least one of the hangovers you may be feeling.

    CNN sports producer Evan Kanew will cover the Tyson-Lewis fight for CNNSI.com.

     
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