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| | Wednesday, 5 June, 2002, 02:57 GMT 03:57 UK All hell is coming Stacey McKinley supervises Tyson's training
"All hell is coming!" said Mike Tyson's trainer Stacey McKinley. It was just about the only printable thing he uttered during a 10-minute monologue to the media on Tuesday ahead of Saturday's heavyweight title fight against Lennox Lewis. The rest of his rant can only be described as obscenity-filled. McKinley found himself fielding questions at the official Mike Tyson public workout because the subject of the occasion had quickly discharged himself of any responsibility. It was, of course, too much to ask that the former heavyweight champion could stay around after five minutes of mild exercise and offer his views on the bout.
Most of the abuse was targeted at Lewis - "no chin, no heart" claims McKinley of the three-time champion who has fought and defeated some of boxing's biggest and toughest names. The latest addition to the entourage is Panama Lewis, whose grotesque act of 'gamesmanship' some 20 years ago compares favourably with Tyson's heinous ear-biting of Evander Holyfield in 1997.
Lewis was in the corner of Luis Resto when he fought the then unbeaten Billy Collins at Madison Square Garden in 1983. Resto won a decision that night, aided in no small measure by the fact that Lewis removed the padding from his gloves before the fight began. Collins finished the contest with revolting lumps and bruises scattered around his young face. He never fought again, never came to terms with the injuries he suffered and after a bout of alcoholism, fatally drove his car off a mountain.
Lewis was banned from boxing after his act and for many, that punishment was too lenient. He will not be able to work in Tyson's corner on Saturday night, but his recruitment to the team indicates that the team are quite happy to invite scorn from the boxing world in the build-up to their fighter's biggest bout in five years. The unusual choice of Memphis as the venue for the fight means that the array of former boxing heroes that abound in Las Vegas is not in effect here. But two of the boxing fraternity present told BBC Sport Online that Lennox Lewis was favoured. Kevin Barry, manager of heavyweight contender David Tua who lost to Lewis in 2000, is tipping the British fighter to win. "Lennox is too smart - he'll fight at his own range, although he has to get the jab working," said Barry, a former Olympic medallist. "Being the smart, thinking fighter that he is, I'd have thought Lennox would have beaten Tyson six years ago. "I think he'll make him miss and humiliate him to the point where Tyson loses control and makes it easier for Lewis."
"Lewis can find a way to win against everybody," the Croatian said. "He has the ability to know when and where to punch." Mavrovic was spotted by Tyson during the workout and the two hugged in a manner which suggested a common fighting bond. When the Croatian explained he was there as a journalist, Tyson grimaced and returned to his work. | |
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