MEMPHIS – Vitali Klitschko thinks he deserves the next shot at Lennox Lewis’ heavyweight championship, regardless of the outcome of last night’s fight between Mike Tyson and Clifford Etienne at the Pyramid.
It seems almost a foregone conclusion that a Tyson victory over Etienne would lead to a rematch with Lewis, who knocked out Tyson in the eighth-round of their well-watched championship fight here last June.
Tyson even spent some of his interview time last week to begin some verbal sparring with Lewis, saying the champion’s popularity doesn’t rival his own.
“I don’t need Lennox Lewis to make some money,” Tyson said. “I don’t know how you consider who the biggest fighters are, but I’m here and the crowds are just as big as when Lennox Lewis was here [last June]. Can he come to New York and sell out like I do? He can’t even sell out in London.”
He also warned Lewis to watch his words during all the speculation of a rematch. “He’s never been disrespectful,” Tyson said. “But if he ever says anything disrespectful to me … does that mean he’s a tough guy? I know I’m a tough guy. Me and him can handle it [in the ring] or another way. I don’t want to do that because I respect him. But don’t disrespect me, cause it can come back on you.”
Klitschko (32-1, 31 KO’s) is the one feeling disrespected. The Ukrainian heavyweight thought he had an agreement signed in December to fight Lewis sometime in April, though the actual date and location were left open.
Lewis subsequently announced that he was hoping to fight Tyson in June, not a surprising choice considering a rematch could be easier and more lucrative than a bout with Klitschko, who is ranked No. 1 by the World Boxing Council and the World Boxing Association.
In hopes of getting a title fight, Klitschko has filed suit in U.S. District Court against the WBC, demanding it follow its rules and force Lewis into a mandatory defense by June or be stripped of his title.
According to the rules of the WBC, the champion has to make a mandatory defense every 12 months and Lewis’ last defense was last June when he knocked out Tyson in Memphis.
“We support Vitali in this attempt because he is the No. 1 challenger,” said Chris Rybarczyk, a spokesman for Universum Box Promotion, which represents Klitschko. “We’re waiting for the WBC react to see if there will be a [Lewis-Klitschko] fight on April 12. Otherwise we might take other steps.”
Universum Box Promotion insisted the contract signed in December was binding even though it lacked a precise date and location. Madison Square Garden was among the sites being considered.
“I understand Vitali’s position, and I hope the WBC will understand him,” said Peter Kohl, of Universum Box Promotion. “There is no reason for the WBC to refuse to set up the Lewis vs. Klitschko fight in accordance with its rules, and I hope the WBC will now make the right decision.
“It goes without saying that I, as his promoter, will assist Vitali in all of the efforts necessary to realize this fight, which he truly deserves.”
Added Rybarczyk: “HBO wants the fight. They want a sports decision. Not a decision for money.”
But boxing is all about money, which is why Klitschko could wind up on the outside looking in.
Lewis-Tyson was bought by 1.9 million pay-per-view households. Klitschko’s best hope could be if Tyson doesn’t rush into a rematch with Lewis. He has talked about facing Evander Holyfield next.
“I don’t want to fight anybody until I’m prepared to fight,” Tyson said last night. “I just want to get by one fighter at a time. First Holyfield and then Lennox.”