Clash of the Titans

British boxing legend Henry Cooper weighs up the heavyweight abilities of Lennox Lewis and Mike Tyson.

It is the fight the public have wanted to see for years.

In the red corner lurks American Mike Tyson, the menacing mauler, who tore apart the heavyweight division in the 1980s.

In the blue corner waits Lennox Lewis, the British-born world champion, who regained his belts in splendid style against Hasim Rahman.

Tyson: Still packs a mean punch

On Saturday 8 June the talking finally stops and the two men will square up in Memphis.

So who will win?

Former British and Commonwealth champ Henry Cooper rates each boxer by a number of key criteria.

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The jab:

Lennox Lewis has got the best jab in the business.

At 6ft 5in, it can be a very effective and strong weapon. When he uses it correctly, it opens up guys, as we saw in his rematch with Rahman.

Tyson, by contrast, does not have the greatest jab in the world.

Being a short heavyweight, he doesn't rely on it as much as some of his rivals.

Jab: Lewis 8-6 Tyson

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Power punches:

Lennox has footwork and power

Lewis has got good, powerful punches. When deployed well, his right-cross can be particularly devastating.

If there is one thing Tyson can still do well, it is power punch.

He built his fearsome reputation on big blows and has never lost that punching ability.

Power punches: Lewis 8-9 Tyson

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Footwork:

The edge here goes to Lennox when he fights at the right weight.

In the first fight against Rahman he was 18-and-a-half stone at the weigh-in and would have been approaching 19 stone by fight-time.

The extra pounds made him cumbersome.

But in the rematch in Las Vegas, Lewis was lean and mean and moved his feet well.

Tyson has enough footwork for what he tries to do, but he will never be the most fleet of foot.

Footwork: Lewis 9-8 Tyson

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Durabilty:

They are both durable fighters with flaws.

Lewis has a pretty good chin in general, but got caught out against Rahman and, earlier in his career, against Oliver McCall.

Tyson has also been stopped occasionally - most notably against Evander Holyfield.

Durability: 7-7

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Temperament:

The decisive factor.

Lewis wins on temperament. He is a cold and calculating boxer and that's what sets him apart.

Tyson has been a different fighter since he was released from jail.

He might struggle to get close to Lewis and has proved to be impetuous in the past.

Temperament: Lewis 9-7 Tyson

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Conclusion:

The edge definitely belongs to Lennox Lewis.

Had they fought during Tyson's heyday things might have been different.

The American was a tough and uncompromising fighter in his youth and could land devastating punches.

Today, his powers are in decline and a controlled performance from Lewis will likely tip the heavyweight scales in his favour.

Totals: Lewis 41-37 Tyson