By Andyson Ogugua
04.08 - It is often said that when the ovation is loudest or the chips are down the men are usually separated form the boys. Amid that eventful day, that has been a speculation and debate for so many years, on when there will be an epic chartbusting heavy weight-boxing match between Lennox Lewis and Iron mike Tyson. Judging from the pedigree of both fighters, you could say that this fight was going to be an explosive encounter that one cannot wait to see. Anyway plans for this fight got underway and considering that Lennox was the current world champion there was going to be a lot of foot dragging about fixing a date for the fight, t. v rights and money for this title challenge.
Well, after due negotiations all partier´s agreed in contract to this epic fight and a date and venue was picked for this encounter. The tussle for supremacy started when both fighters granted a press interview and it ended up in a thigh biting show. As usual and as always, mike Tyson’s fight has
generated a lot of hype and this one was not an exception as Tyson was tipped to defeat Lennox and Tyson himself was boasting that he will defeat Lennox Lewis, but Lewis was quiet and even granted a CNN news an interview where he said he knew Tyson’s antic’s and that Tyson was only tying to work on him psycologically.
JUGEMENT DAY
On that pleasant humid night in Memphis, where there had to be a champion, a disqualification or a possible draw match. Lennox Lewis comprehensively and convincingly rattled Iron Mike Tyson in eight rounds in Memphis to retain his word heavy weight title and making a strong statement as the dominant heavyweight boxer of his era. When it was show time the Memphis arena was a powered up with expectation of a great fight as Tyson walked into the ring gracefully and with the cheers of this fans, while Lewis walked in bear-chested, the crowd cheered Tyson, but they forgot that cheer don’t win fights of this magnitude. A 12man team of security stood in the middle of the ring to prevent any confrontation between both fighters according to as agreed in their contract. Referee Eddie Cotton was at the helms of affairs fort this big match and when the bell rang for round on e that was the beginning of another boxing history. Although not too impressive, but Tyson got a left hook off Lewis, while Lewis tries with an upper cut, But this was Tyson’s round.
Round two, twice the referee for holding cautioned Lewis, but he was mounting pressure on Tyson with uppercuts attempts, this continued into the next round.
Round three, saw the beginning of a looming defeat for Tyson, after a spirited attempts from Tyson, Lewis caught Tyson on the top of his right eye.
Round four, a point was deducted form Lennox Lewis for pushing Tyson to the canvass.
Round five, went Lewis’s way as he continued to trouble Tyson with jabs on the cut on Tyson’s right eye.
Round six, continued to favour Lewis, with him rattling Tyson with a combination of jab.
Round seven, saw Tyson trying to make comeback, but Lewis was too strong, authoritative and dominant for him.
The decision making round was in the eight, when Tyson tries a tricky one Lewis, but the champion was too focused on winning this fight an his strong upper cut sends Tyson one knee down, only to be stopped by referee Eddie Cotton form receiving the killer punch, but it was not to long after Tyson tries to gain some balance, that he received the history making right hook punch form the undisputed world heavyweight champion.
COMMENTS AND OBSERVATIONS.
This was a one sided fight, spoken by so many people, even the presence of top Hollywood stars, did not stop Iron Mike Tyson form receiving the biggest bashing of his life.
The Champion’s remarks were that, ”people had to see me against Mike Tyson to believe that I was the greatest fighter in the planet”. “It’s been a great fight, long road and I’ve finally completed what I wanted to do, I am just glad I was able to come through. I’ve been in this game for such a long time I’m a seasoned professional”. Even, Tyson had to acknowledge Lennox’s supremacy saying” he (Lewis) was splendid, a masterful boxer, he is a magnificent and prolific fighter.
PRESS CONFERENCE.
At the press briefing, not surprisingly absent was disgraced Mike Tyson. Tyson’s Trainer Ronnie Shields, spoke and said “that Mike Tyson fought a very courageous fight tonight, he gave the best he could, I don’t know what he is going to do now” and remarked that Lennox Was a great champion.
Lennox trainer was full of praise for Lennox “ he said I taught he fought the prefect, people will now realise that Lennox is the best heavyweight since Muhammad Ali.
FINAL WORD.
What most people forgot when making predictions was that both fight were very good fighter and had equal chances of carrying the day, but Tyson had a stronger punch but lacked the stamina to last losing rounds, but Lennox did not a have a stronger punch than Tyson but had a better concentration, stamina and longer reach, so the possibility of Tyson winning the fight in the early rounds was slim because Lennox could withstand him and take him to the latter rounds of the bout where he could have an upper hand over Tyson.
