Keep away

Promoters keep distance between Tyson, Lewis at weigh-in

MEMPHIS -- This keeping your distance business borders on silliness. First, Lennox Lewis and Mike Tyson refused to get together for a news conference earlier in the week. They weighed in three hours apart Thursday and now, it seems, the bad boys won't be touching gloves in the ring before the heavyweight tilt Saturday night.

Presumably, they're agreeable to climbing in the same ring. Stay tuned.

The only thing they had in common Thursday was an issue with the official weights. Lewis weighed in at 249 1/4 pounds, a tad heavy but still four pounds less than when he was knocked out by Hasim Rahman last year. Tyson tipped the scale at 234 1/2 pounds, second heaviest of his pro career.

Analysis and Stories  • Lewis KOs Tyson in eighth • Closer Look: Lewis knew after one • Round-by-Round results Mike Fish • Tyson gracious in defeat • Send in the clowns • From speedbag to mailbag • Lewis, Tyson separated at weigh-in • Will Tyson be on his medication? • Memphis throws its hat in the ring • Lewis sticks to low-key approach • Tyson skips news conference • Holyfield says Tyson isn't crazy • Steroids large on boxing's radar Evan Kanew • What next after Tyson-Lewis? • A lowdown on the showdown Richard Hoffer • A true battle of good vs. evil Frank Deford • It's an exhibition, not a contest Tim Layden • Tyson's glimmer of greatness gone Lester Munson • Tyson fighting for more than career SI Features  • On the Record: Potent Quotables • SI Scrapbook: Mike Tyson • SI Photo Gallery: Tyson | Lewis Video Click the image to launch the clip Lennox Lewis reacts to a surprisngly easy win over Mike Tyson Play Video Mike Tyson ponders his next career move after the loss to Lewis. Play Video Other Features  • Official Site: Lewis vs. Tyson

"I'm shocked, cause I know Mike is not that heavy," said Ronnie Shields, co-trainer of Tyson. "Lewis is not that heavy, either."

After billing Tyson as fit and leaner than ever, Team Tyson scuffled to explain how he could top 230 for only the second time. Tyson was 239 last October for his fight with Brian Nielsen, but his previous top weight was 223 pounds.

Shields estimated the weights were off by five or six pounds. Not that it appeared to bother Tyson.

The ex-champ was a bit fidgety on the podium after weighing in, while taking shots at Lewis and his longtime trainer, Emanuel Steward.

"I'm just ready to get it on, crush this guy's skull," Tyson said, swaying side to side.

Tyson predicted he'd take Lewis out within three rounds. As for his plans between now and fight time, "Just pray [Lewis] doesn't die of a heart attack."

Steward, the closest to a trash-talker in the Lewis Camp, may have irked Tyson with earlier comments about characters added to his entourage here -- notably cheerleader Steve "Crocodile" Fitch and disgraced former trainer Panama Lewis.

"Mike is probably the most decent guy in that crowd," Steward cracked.

Steward dared to suggest Tyson isn't the fighter that he once was. A powerful puncher, yes. But other than a big punch, the Lewis mouthpiece portrayed Tyson as washed up.

His style has betrayed him, much like what happened to Joe Frazier.

"Their style is youth, head-bent-forward type, lunging, attacking, don't think, don't hesitate," Steward said. "Compared to a fighter who fights with his weight evenly balanced like Joey Maxim. Lennox is a good example. Even [Evander] Holyfield. They can fight a lot longer than a fighter who fights with his head right up there.

"At this stage, with his style, he is very fortunate. If he had fought continually without getting incarcerated for those years, his career would have been over with. So actually it was good for him that he was locked up."

With those fighting words, the camps must wait until Saturday night to come face to face.

 

Related information

Stories

Tyson skips news conference to focus on Lewis Q&A with SI's Richard Hoffer SI's Frank Deford: Sideshow CNNSI.com's Mike Fish: Memphis throws its hat in the ring CNNSI.com's Mike Fish: Lewis stays low key Lewis recalls sparring with Tyson On the Record CNNSI.com's Mike Fish: Tyson off his meds?

Multimedia

Visit Video Plus for the latest audio and video