Boxing: Lewis works out in Iron Mike's shadow

NEW YORK - Lennox Lewis can't seem to avoid the spectre of Mike Tyson.

The heavyweight champion sparred three rounds in Manhattan yesterday in a workout to publicise his fight against David Tua.

Typically, Tyson loomed over the proceedings - this time literally.

The former champ eased into the large ante-room of the ornate Grand Central Station on 42nd Street where Lewis worked out and stood at the back of a crowd of about 300 people.

"He was wearing a black cap and a black leather jacket," said Brian Little, a spokesman for Media Works, which is handling publicity for the Lewis-Tua fight.

"I don't know if he saw Lennox spar or not. I just happened to see him in the back, and I went up to him to see if we could bring him over. But all he said was, 'I'm not talking. I'm not talking'."

A relaxed, affable Lewis was asked why he thought Tyson had appeared.

"I'm an enigma to him. He's trying to figure me out."

And then with a smile, the 35-year-old Lewis said: "It's nice of him to grace my workout."

Despite Lewis' insistence that he did not want to talk about Tyson, he was obviously on his mind.

"The mystique is gone for Tyson after Evander Holyfield beat him. I don't see him having the [testosterone] to get in and box me," Lewis said, before conceding that Tyson had "a great name behind him" and would "definitely be a challenge for me."

Lewis said Tua deserved the title shot as the mandatory opponent and that he could not wait for Tyson.

Lewis played down Tua's much-heralded punching power, especially from his left hook.

"Obviously, I'm concerned about it, but I realise that's his only asset.

"David Tua has been boxing against guys who couldn't take a punch," Lewis said.

"Tua thinks he can come all the way from New Zealand, box a couple of cruiserweights and then fight Lennox Lewis."

- REUTERS

Herald Online feature: Tua v Lewis