22 years ago

Date: 8th June 2002

Title: WBC, IBF & IBO World Heavyweight Titles

Promoter: Main Events

Referee: Eddie Cotton

Tv: HBO PPV & Showtime PPV

Lennox Lewis
( 39 - 2 - 1 )
Weight: 249¼ lbs

Mike Tyson
( 49 - 3 - 0 )
Weight: 234 lbs

On June 8, 2002, Lennox Lewis and Mike Tyson faced off in a long-awaited heavyweight showdown at The Pyramid in Memphis, Tennessee. The fight was for Lewis's WBC, IBF, and IBO heavyweight titles. Lewis entered the ring with a record of 39-2-1 and a weight of 249¼ pounds, while Tyson, once considered the "worst man on the planet," brought a record of 49-3-0 and weighed 234 pounds. Despite their storied careers, the tension leading up to this bout rivalled the fight itself, highlighted by a now-infamous press conference in New York City earlier that year.

On January 22, 2002, the official announcement of the fight descended into chaos. Tyson was introduced first, and as Lewis walked onstage, Tyson aggressively approached him. A member of Lewis's security team intervened, only to be met with a wild swing from Tyson. Lewis retaliated, throwing a punch of his own as a melee erupted. Both fighters went to the floor amid the pandemonium. During the scuffle, Tyson bit Lewis on the leg, leaving a mark that would later fuel legal disputes. WBC president Jose Sulaiman was also caught in the chaos, hitting his head on a table and losing consciousness. On August 1, 2002, Sulaiman filed a $56 million lawsuit against both fighters.

The fight almost didn't happen due to the contractual obligations of the boxers. Lewis was aligned with HBO, while Tyson was under Showtime's banner. Negotiations seemed impossible, with HBO's Ross Greenburg declaring the fight would only happen under their banner and Showtime's Jay Larkin scoffing at the notion of collaboration. Nevertheless, an unprecedented agreement was reached: both networks would co-produce and broadcast the fight, with HBO's Jim Lampley and Showtime's Bobby Czyz sharing commentary duties. Delayed broadcast rights were also settled; if Lewis won, HBO would air the replay, paying Showtime $3 million. If Tyson emerged victorious, Showtime would hold the replay rights under a similar arrangement.

Both fighters were guaranteed $17.5 million for the event, which generated enormous anticipation. The press conference brawl was later named The Ring magazine's "Event of the Year," and the fight itself lived up to its billing.

In the ring, Tyson started with aggression, trying to impose his will early. However, Lewis used his height, reach, and tactical brilliance to keep Tyson at bay. Jabs and well-placed uppercuts opened up Tyson's defence. As the rounds progressed, Lewis dominated, wearing Tyson down with precision punching. By the eighth round, Lewis delivered a crushing right hand that sent Tyson to the canvas, ending the fight at 2:25 of the round.

The victory was comprehensive, with judges' scores reflecting Lewis's dominance before the stoppage: all three judges had it 68-64. This knockout was later named The Ring magazine's "Knockout of the Year."

This fight reaffirmed Lewis's place among the greatest heavyweights of all time and underscored Tyson's decline as a serious contender. Despite the controversies, including Tyson's antics and logistical hurdles, the bout became one of the most memorable in heavyweight history, grossing $112 million in pay-per-view revenue with 1.95 million buys.