Fight of the Century

It’s the war to end all wars. No fight has been bigger in the history of boxing. Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier fought thrice. So did Floyd Patterson and Ingemar Johansson. Ezzard Charles and Jersey Joe Walcott, too. Evander Holyfield and Riddick Bowe figured in another classic trilogy.

But the hype generated by the duel between Lennox Lewis and Mike Tyson at the 32-story tall Pyramid Arena in Memphis this morning (Manila time) has been like no other.

One fight, one war. For Lewis’ three heavyweight championships as recognized by the World Boxing Council (WBC), International Boxing Federation (IBF), and International Boxing Organization (IBO). The match that fans have waited for years to happen. Finally, the time has come to settle who’s boss.

Lewis, 36, is a 2-1 favorite to whip Tyson, nine months younger. Oddsmakers point to Lewis’ huge advantage in height (six inches) and reach (13 inches) to support their choice. Besides, Tyson’s got to be rusty–they argue–as he’s fought only once in the last 19 months and it was against a Danish pastry Brian Nielsen who quit in his stool before the seventh round.

Then there are the usual distractions in Tyson’s topsy-turvy life–the rape cases, the divorce suit (from his wife, pediatrician Dr. Monica Turner), the $45 Million fraud case against Don King, his debt to cable TV network Showtime of about $10 Million, and taking care of his five children from different mothers.

But don’t count out Tyson. He’s fighting for survival–that’s a lot more motivation than Lewis’ quest for glory as the undisputed people’s champion.

Tyson’s asset-rich but he’s far from liquid. He has six houses to maintain–in Connecticut, his mansion or personal hotel has 61 rooms, 38 bathrooms, and the master’s bedroom is surrounded by five giant TV monitors. Tyson’s pad in Las Vegas is where he keeps his pet Bengal tigers. Who will buy Tyson’s ghastly palaces? No one is as rich and mentally-imbalanced as Iron Mike.

Tyson must win or else he’s finished. What’s at stake is his drawing power. If he loses to Lewis, it’s doubtful if Tyson could ever command another big purse. For battling Lewis, he’s guaranteed $17.5 Million. Tyson earned a lot more from other fights–$35 Million for busting up Bruce Seldon in 1996 and $22 Million for his demolition of Peter McNeeley after a three-year prison stay on a rape conviction. The downward trend in Tyson’s purses is ominous.

Lewis has lost twice in his career–to Oliver McCall and Hasim Rahman by knockout. His jaw is vulnerable so that will be Tyson’s target. Neither McCall nor Rahman is formidable yet Lewis couldn’t take their power. Lewis’ trainer Emanuel Steward insists Lewis didn’t train for McCall and Rahman because they were supposed to be patsies. Tyson, however, is a different animal. Steward says Lewis is ready for war.

Tyson is most dangerous in the early rounds. If Iron Mike wins, it’ll be by knockout within the first five rounds. Lewis will probably try to tire out and frustrate Tyson then go for the kill starting the sixth. He’ll use his jab to soften up Tyson before looking for the coup de grace. Lewis is unbeaten when he connects at least 30 jabs in a round. Tyson is easily exasperated–like in the second Holyfield bout where realizing his chances of winning were slim, Iron Mike resorted to biting and was disqualified.

But new trainer Ronnie Shields is convinced Tyson will be under control and patient in the most crucial crossroads fight in his career.

If Tyson manages to intimidate Lewis, that will be his big edge. A frightened and cautious Lewis is the answer to Tyson’s prayers. The height factor may or may not make a difference, depending on how Tyson works to get close. Note that in 1919, six-foot Jack Dempsey poleaxed 6-6 Jess Willard in three rounds for the world title.

The card is expected to break box office and pay-per-view records. The estimate for the live gate is $19 Million, breaking the $17 Million mark in the Lewis-Holyfield rematch. The top-price ticket is $2,400. A pay-per-view connection is $54.95 and at least a million hits are anticipated.

For Filipino fans, what’s more exciting is the undercard fight featuring International Boxing Federation (IBF) superbantamweight champion Manny Pacquiao in his second title defense against two-time world titlist Jorge Eliecer Julio of Colombia.

This is Pacquiao’s opportunity to showcase his skills before billions of fans watching on TV around the world. He can’t afford to lose. Julio, 33, is a tough customer–as dirty as Agapito Sanchez but more talented. At the 1988 Seoul Olympics, he stopped Filipino Michael Hormillosa in the third round. Pacquiao will no doubt keep that in mind.

Julio has never been knocked out–his only losses were to Junior Jones, Johnny Tapia and Adan Vargas on points. His durability is a cause for concern because Pacquiao could lose heart if he fails to hurt the Colombian. It’ll be a test of Pacquiao’s maturity. Julio could be the toughest opponent he’s ever faced.

Brace yourselves for a twin explosion this morning. Lewis versus Tyson and Pacquiao versus Julio. All the marbles are on the line.