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Tuesday, March 16, 1999 Published at 09:56 GMT


Wembley tipped for fight rematch

An incredulous Frank Maloney arrives back in London

Plans have been launched to bring an Evander Holyfield-Lennox Lewis rematch to Wembley stadium.

Lewis vs Holyfield
The Lewis camp are hoping a second world heavyweight unification bout - following Saturday's controversial draw - can be brought across the Atlantic to Britain.

The fight continues to divide opinion in the boxing world, with Lewis' manager Frank Maloney calling for the American judge who awarded the fight to Holyfield to consider her position.


Wembley spokesman Martin Corry wants the fight in London (Radio 5 Live)
New York state has launched three separate inquiries into the outcome of the fight, which most observers say was dominated by Lewis.

"The result has done more harm for boxing than boxing has ever done itself before," fumed Maloney, on arriving back in Britain on Monday night.

'Wembley here we come'

Panos Eliades, Lewis' promoter, has challenged Holyfield to put his WBA and IBF belts on the line again - this time in London, rather than New York.


[ image: The rematch could be a fitting swansong for the old Wembley]
The rematch could be a fitting swansong for the old Wembley
"We would love to have a rematch in Britain. We could fill Wembley Stadium three times over," he said.

"Lennox wants the three belts and he's looking forward to a rematch. My only worry is whether Evander Holyfield will want to fight him again. He may not want to get back in the ring with him."

Reports in The Sun suggested dates in early July or August had been set aside for the rematch, which would be the national stadium's last major sporting event before redevelopment.

And Martin Corry, spokesman for Wembley, welcomed the plan to bring the fight to north London.

"We would absolutely love to stage it," he said. "There's an awful lot of talking to be done, but we're looking forward to talking to Panos and Frank Maloney."

'Crazy decision'

Maloney was furious with both American judge Eugenia Williams, who gave the fight to Holyfield, and Britain's Larry O'Connell, who saw it as a draw.


Frank Maloney in angry mood after arriving at Heathrow (Radio 5 Live)
"The lady judge and the English judge have to question their ability in judging fights at that level," he told the BBC.

"The American judge is sticking by her decision which is crazy - especially in round five."

George Pataki, the governor of New York , has asked the state's Athletic Commission to investigate the drawn bout.

And the New York State Senate Committee on Investigations also said it would hold hearings on the fight - as did New York attorney general Eliot Spitzer.



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