Tyson-Lewis PPV Fight in Jeopardy
By R. Thomas Umstead -- Multichannel News, 1/22/2002 12:54:00 PM
Showtime Event Television's and HBO Pay-Per-View's presentation of the Lennox Lewis-Mike Tyson heavyweight-title fight, slated for April 6, may be in jeopardy after the Tuesday press conference announcing the event turned into a melee.
Representatives from Lewis' camp said the World Boxing Council and International Boxing Federation champion would evaluate his 'options' about participating in the match after Tyson rushed Lewis while on stage during the opening moments of the press conference in New York.
The ensuing brawl left Tyson with a cut on his forehead and a reported bite mark on Lewis' leg.
The much-anticipated PPV event hinges on Tyson obtaining a boxing license from the Nevada State Athletic Commission, which is expected to make its decision regarding the controversial boxer within the next two weeks, sources close to the situation said.
The commission stripped Tyson of his license after the former heavyweight champion bit Evander Holyfield's ear during a 1997 fight.
Given Tyson's press-conference outburst, sources said it's unclear whether the commission will grant Tyson's license.
The fight, if given the go-ahead, would mark the first fight co-promotion between HBO PPV and SET.
'It's likely out of our hands based on today's incident, and we'll have to await a review from the proper authorities,' Home Box Office senior vice president of sports operations Mark Taffet said.
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