Front Page

UK

World

Business

Sci/Tech

Sport

Despatches

World Summary


On Air

Cantonese

Talking Point

Feedback

Text Only

Help

Site Map

Monday, December 22, 1997 Published at 19:11 GMT



Sport

Battle of the big guys is on!
image: [ Lennox Lewis after retaining his WBC belt ]
Lennox Lewis after retaining his WBC belt

Britain's Lennox Lewis has signed to meet Evander Holyfield in a $50m (£33m) World Heavyweight unification fight in Las Vegas on April 25.

Victory could set up an autumn three-title defence against Mike Tyson, a fight that Lewis' promoter Panos Eliades estimates will be worth $100-150m.

The mega-deal, completed at Don King's Florida home at the weekend, now depends on WBA and IBF champion Holyfield agreeing to a guaranteed purse of around $30m for facing Lewis.


[ image: Evander Holyfield is unlikely to face any ear-chewing problems, as he did against Mike Tyson]
Evander Holyfield is unlikely to face any ear-chewing problems, as he did against Mike Tyson
Holyfield's take-home pay will be even larger if viewing figures hit the jackpot - as will WBC champion Lewis' final cheque.

The deal forms part of a four-fight contract agreed with King by Eliades. It includes the massive fight against Tyson - provided the former undisputed champion has his licence returned by the Nevada State Athletic Commission next July.

Lewis's manager, Frank Maloney, hopes the bout will be the biggest in years. "It will be the most important fight of both fighters' careers," he said.

It promises to be a match that all fight fans will savour and will unify the world heavyweight crown for the first time since Mike Tyson's pre-prison heyday.


 





Back to top | BBC News Home | BBC Homepage

©

[an error occurred while processing this directive] [an error occurred while processing this directive]
  Internet Links

Boxing resource


The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.