Lewis wants title back before taking on Tyson

Larry Fine

Lennox Lewis does not want to fight Mike Tyson unless there is a title at stake, and the British boxer's attorney fervently believes that could be arranged by August.

Lewis, who lost his World Boxing Council and International Boxing Federation titles to American Hasim Rahman in April, issued a statement Friday disputing reports that he was negotiating to fight Tyson in a battle of former undisputed heavyweight champions.

First he wants to block Rahman's bid to defend against David Izon of Nigeria in Beijing and force the American to honour a rematch clause in the pact he signed to fight Lewis.

"There have been press reports to the effect that I have authorised negotiations for a fight with Mike Tyson," Lewis said in the statement.

"I want to make clear that there have been absolutely no such negotiations by my camp, and I have rejected any effort by anyone to deter me from immediately regaining my championship."

"It is true that, on numerous occasions, I have made clear my great desire to fight Mike Tyson. I very much want to fight Mike Tyson.

"However...I will only fight Mike Tyson after I fight Hasim Rahman. Put simply, the only time I plan to fight Mike Tyson is in the context of defending my world championship."

Lewis's lawyer, Judd Burstein, said the Briton hopes to win back his titles in a rematch with Rahman on August 18 as mandated in the original contract.

The former champion will have to be victorious in U.S. District Court first.

Lewis is taking Rahman to court on June 11 to block the new champion's scheduled August 4 defence against Izon.

"We're getting ready for trial. I feel very comfortable with our position and Lennox is looking forward to his day in court," Burstein told Reuters.

"Mr Rahman got a chance to fight for a world championship at a purse that was 80 times larger than the purse preceding his championship fight," continued Burstein.

"One of the things that was insisted upon was that there would be a rematch provision. After taking the money he decided he didn't have to live up to his obligation and there will be a heavy price to pay for that."

Burstein said Rahman was facing the prospect of fighting the rematch for $3.15 million, which "would be a pittance of what he could have had."

The lawyer said Lewis had no back-up plans to put in place should he lose the suit.

"I keep searching for some rationale for why this contract is not enforceable. I haven't been able to find one yet," he said.