Send in the clowns

MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- Let’s get something straight, a few years ago this would have been a hellacious sporting event. Two great fighters "getting it on," as they say in the fight game. What’s going down here is entertainment, a spectacle.

Call it shock boxing.

It’s like tuning into reality TV to catch folks buckling under pressure. Here the attraction is cartoon-like Mike Tyson, who basks in playing the vulgar, unrepentant bully. It’s not so much the boxing match, as folks lining up to watch the always unpredictable Iron Mike go off. Is this the time he really goes crazy?

Problem is, as boxers, both Tyson and sidekick Lennox Lewis are flawed. So don’t buy this as being the fight of the century. Or a slugfest for the ages.

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

Tyson was badly exposed by Evander Holyfield in 1997, and has toiled a meager 19 rounds since. We won’t even mention Buster Douglas cleaning his clock. And while we’re ripping, who in his right mind welcomes disgraced ex-trainer Panama Lewis into his entourage?

The other corner features Lennox Lewis (no relation to Panama), a guy knocked out by the likes of Oliver McCall and Hasim Rahman. Sorry, not impressive stuff for the resume. And the Tyson camp is right about at least one thing, the 6-foot-5 Lewis tends to fight overly cautious, like he’s scared.

"Tell Lennox Lewis all hell is coming," rants Tyson co-trainer Stacey McKinley. "Question is how strong is Lennox Lewis mentally?"

Not tough enough according to McKinley, who sees Lewis going down in the first five rounds.

Lewis’ corner boss, Emanuel Steward, counters with Tyson hitting the canvas for good inside two rounds.

"Tyson’s going to come out real explosive the first round or so," Steward says. "Once he finds Lennox is a different fighter than these big clumsy kids he’s been fighting, he’s going to think a little more and that is when Lennox will start stepping it up.

"Everyone knows the key is to put pressure on Tyson. Don’t let him have his little attacks and then rest."

So who’s to be believed, Team Tyson or Team Lewis?

Well, we have split loyalties here. You have a media war with Lewis being an HBO guy (see AOL Time-Warner) and Tyson contracted to Showtime. So since AOL signs my check, it’d be prudent to pull for Lewis.

But then, I grew up in Upstate New York, though a few years before Tyson arrived on the scene. I know a cop who ticketed him for speeding in Albany. And I treked to Catskill to interview his late trainer, Cus d’Amato, who was an odd sight, dressed for a late-afternoon meeting in his bathrobe.

So, our take on the fight is Lewis has more left than Tyson at this stage of his career. If he can handle the early heat from the diminutive slugger, Lewis is the more technically sound boxer and figures to frustrate Tyson. Take your guess on whether Tyson quits or freaks, but we’ll predict Lewis takes care of business inside of eight rounds.

Mike Fish is a senior writer for CNNSI.com.

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