Tyson v Lewis is a turn off

Published on Tuesday 4 June 2002 01:00

FEARS are growing that this weekend’s world heavyweight showdown between champion Lennox Lewis and Mike Tyson in Memphis is heading for a big-money flop.

After the pair’s altercation at a Press conference in New York, the build-up to Saturday’s bout has been low key, a plan which looks set to backfire on the promoters. Tyson’s handlers claim their man will not attend a press conference and workout today. If he does not turn up, there is a chance Lewis may do likewise tomorrow.

Lewis and Tyson will not attend a head-to-head Press conference - if they attend any at all - and will weigh in separately, three hours apart.

There will be no music when the fighters make their way into the ring. Instead, they will be ushered through the crowd by a police guard. And they will not engage in the traditional touching of gloves before the first bell. All this should guarantee the fight does takes place, but it is not helping to capture the public’s imagination.

Lewis’ team have returned nearly half of 6000 fight tickets allocated to them.