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CNN Live Today

Possible Tyson Victory Worries Boxing Insiders

Aired June 07, 2002 - 13:59   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: We're talking boxing now, and when Mike Tyson and Lennox Lewis begin trading punches tomorrow night, there's going to be a lot more on the line than just the heavyweight title. A lot of insiders say that boxing's long-term health is at stake as well, and they're afraid that a Tyson victory could be bad medicine. Our Josie Karp explains why.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

LENNOX LEWIS, HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION: Mike Tyson is the last misfit in boxing, and I think a lot of people want that circus show to end, and Lennox Lewis is the man to be able to do that.

JOSIE KARP, CNN "SPORTS ILLUSTRATED" CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Lennox Lewis has a vision of the boxing world order if he wins. But what if he doesn't? A Mike Tyson victory could send the sport reeling in several directions.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I don't think any of us have really considered a scenario where he's champion again. But mindful that it could happen, I think we're in for some weird times.

KARP: When Tyson first won the heavyweight title, becoming the youngest champion in history, as a 20-year-old in 1986, he was credited with reinvigorating the sport. He could do that again.

MIKE TYSON, FORMER HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION: When I win it's just going to be a celebration for all the people that know me -- definitely the people in the ghetto all over the world, the people in the penitentiary. If the people in Trenchtown with no hope or anything.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We love it if someone can overcome something, if they can climb out of a ditch. But what we forget about is, he dug the ditch. See, that's the only thing. He dug the ditch.

KARP: Tyson at 36 is a different fighter and a different personality.

TYSON: You (EXPLETIVE), come and say it to my face, you (EXPLETIVE)! And that goes for everybody!

KARP: Which is why some argue that a Tyson victory would be disastrous for the sport. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He's living his life in such a carefree, reckless, and disrespectful manner that it's not really good for society and for other young athletes.

KARP: The effect of a Tyson title on the business of boxing is not in question. More Mike Tyson means more money. Heading into the June 8 bout, Tyson fights stand out of six of the 10 highest grossing pay-per-view events ever.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Mike Tyson is the most exciting fighter in the heavyweight division for a long time. He has been, and many people he will continue to be, win or lose. He's notorious. He's infamous. And that's what people like to see.

KARP (on camera): The most likely scenario to follow a Tyson victory would be rematch with Lennox Lewis, but there's also the possibility that he could fight the recently victorious Evander Holyfield for a third time. Holyfield is, in fact, here in Memphis to watch this fight. He's fought Tyson, of course, and he's also fought Lennox Lewis. And Daryn, he has gone on the record as saying he thinks Tyson is going to win.

Daryn, back to you.

KAGAN: Yes, I heard him on sports talk radio earlier this week when he was comparing the sizes, that Lennox Lewis is a lot bigger but his style and that chin would play right into Mike Tyson's hands, or his gloves, as the case might be.

Have you heard him say anything like that, Josie?

KARP: Oh, yes, people are saying that the size -- you can use it two different ways. One, you can say that because Lennox Lewis is so much bigger that he has the advantage. He will be able to keep Tyson away. Other people are saying that Tyson will be able to get inside of Lennox Lewis, and then he will have the advantage. So you can look at it Holyfield's way or that other people are saying because of the size that it's Lennox Lewis' fight to lose.

KAGAN: We will see tomorrow, if you're willing to pay what -- the $54 or not -- read it in the paper the next morning. Josie Karp, have a great time at the fight in Memphis.

KARP: Thanks, Daryn.

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