Mike Tyson vs. Lennox Lewis, 9 p.m., PPV
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On what is a spectacular Saturday for sports, the main event will be as much a curiosity show as an atheltic event.
Welcome to Mike Tyson vesus Lennox Lewis.
“It’s the same reason why people watch shows like Jerry Springer, which I think is a disgraceful show,” said Tyson’s first trainer and ESPN2 analyst Teddy Atlas, said of why many people will plunk down nearly $55 to see what the volatile Tyson might do next.
“There is a morbid curiosity about this fight. It’s like when going home on a highway and there is a big traffic jam and there seem to be no reason for it. It turns out to be rubber necking. It’s unfortunate, but why are they looking? They are looking to see if there is an accident.
“I think there will be a lot of Super Bowl-type parties where people are going to have people come over and say, ‘Let’s get together and see what this maniac does.'”
The first punch won’t take place until sometime after 11 p.m., after a two-fight undercard and all the main-event hype.
It will end a sports day that can begin, if you please, at 2:25 a.m. with World Cup action. The menu also includes War Emblem going for the Triple Crown (NBC, 5 p.m.), barry Bonds and the Giants at Yankee Stadium for their first meeting with the Bombers since 1962 (Fox, 1 p.m.), the Stanley Cup Finals (8 p.m., ABC), the French Open women’s final (11 a.m., tape delay on NBC) plus the Buick Classic gold tourney from Westcehster Country Club.
All those events are on network television, while the heavyweight championship is on pay-per-view.
Getting your money’s worth with Tyson-Lewis is as much of a gamble as any wager placed at Belmont.
As for the fight, Atlas thinks Lewis shouldn’t come out passive and defensive. Atlas points to Evander Holyfield’s domination of Tyson beginning with Holyfield standing up to Tyson in Round 1.
“The first round will be the most telling,” Atlas said.
Tyson owns a chance because he can still punch, but Atlas said he isn’t much of a boxer anymore. Tyson doesn’t throw combinations, just kookiness.
“They’re not tuning in it for an athletic event,” Atlas said. “I really don’t believe they are.”
