Lewis is fighting to prove a point

TONIGHT’S much-hyped fight between Lennox Lewis and Mike Tyson - finally upon us after so many delays, so many doubts - may be the richest bout in boxing history, but the outcome has much more to do with establishing and cementing reputations than banking a fat cheque.

Tyson, who, indeed, needs little introduction, considers himself as the greatest fighter to have ever graced the sport, and asked whether beating Lewis would elevate him to the highest echelon, alongside the likes of Muhammad Ali, Joe Louis and Jack Johnson, he calmly replied: "I’m the biggest fighter in the history of the sport.

"It’s interesting that people put me in the same league as those illustrious fighters, but I’ve proved in my career that I’ve surpassed them. If you don’t believe me, just check the cash register. I’m the most popular fighter that ever lived.

"I don’t have to be grateful to Lennox Lewis for giving me this chance of another shot at the world title because I’m the meal ticket here. Everybody is coming to see me."

Tyson’s use of the word "popular" will raise more than a few eyebrows, but it is hard to argue with the bare facts. Of the top 25 richest fights in history, Tyson has featured in nine, including three of the top four - and that is before tonight’s tussle with Lewis.

As he approaches his 36th birthday, it is almost six years since Tyson held a version of the heavyweight world title and over 15 years since he became the youngest ever champion with a second-round victory over Trevor Berbick.

Countless ugly indiscretions outside the ring have been matched by some indifferent displays against moderate opponents in recent times, but Tyson insists he has nothing to prove this weekend.

"I never even dreamed of living this long," said the man who grew up on the mean streets of New York. "I never dreamed of associating with as many beautiful women as I did, I never dreamed of having such beautiful and intelligent children as I have or earning as much money as I did, so I’ve already won.

"I don’t put pressure on myself. I am looking at it as a great fight and to fight competitively. I’m going to crush this guy’s skull and show him who the real world champion of this era is."

Years of wasteful living have reportedly seen Tyson’s vast fortune dwindle to a pittance, leaving some sceptics to suggest that maybe, just maybe, he is merely looking for one last big pay-day against Lewis.

His comments in the build-up to the fight, oozing with determination, however, suggest that Iron Mike is motivated by more than just money. "I haven’t felt this energised for a fight in ten years," he said. "On Saturday night I am going to do my best, and put a world of hurt on Lennox Lewis in a devastating and spectacular show.

"It is my destiny and I will not be denied in reclaiming the world heavyweight title."

It seems on the face of it, then, that Lewis has much more to prove by jumping in the ring tonight as the arguments continue to rage over his elevated place in heavyweight history.

Indeed, Lewis admits that one of the biggest battles he has faced in his long career has been in convincing an often sceptical public that he merits his place in such an illustrious pantheon.

"I don’t expect people to give me respect but I do expect just to go in there and take it," said Lewis, who believes himself that beating Tyson will still prove an historic point despite the former champion’s aura of faded grandeur.

"Even for the second [Hasim] Rahman fight people were saying he was going to go in there and beat me and I was saying ‘you’ve got to be joking’.

"Now I am going to get my respect out of the Tyson fight. I know all the fans love Tyson and believe he is the best out there. But when I beat him I am taking all the respect and showing the world that I am the best."

The fact is that Lewis’ shocking knockout defeats to Oliver McCall and Rahman did a kind of damage that no end of revenge victories or scintillating performances against men like Andrew Golota and Michael Grant can entirely paper over.

Some have doubtless already written their heavyweight obituaries about the man with the dodgy chin who was the best of a bad bunch. But Lewis deserves credit for refusing to duck any of those men who were put in front of him, least of all Tyson.

"I am really focused," said Lewis, who this week admitted that he had been pacing around the patio of his hideout in the gambling resort of Tunica this week at 4am every morning because he could not sleep for thinking about the fight.

"I am just so ready to get it on. It’s taken so long to reach this point that I have not been thinking about anything else."

The belief has clearly been in Lewis for a long time and, after studying old videos of the former champion’s more difficult nights, he came out of his home cinema brimming with desire.

"This is what gives me confidence because looking over history and the last couple of fights, Tyson has done nothing," added Lewis. "He took seven rounds to beat an opponent [Brian Nielsen] who HBO wouldn’t even let me fight. I consider Mike Tyson as my final hurdle. I will take a lot of pride out of getting rid of him."

Small wonder with Tyson’s record that the promoters have taken no chances tonight, with a sizeable chunk of $100million riding on Tyson keeping calm. Since the press conference brawl in New York in January which almost scuppered the bout, the fighters have not been allowed to meet face to face.

They had separate weigh-ins. During the pre-fight introductions they will be separated by a line of state troopers across the ring. They will not touch gloves until after the first bell.

And then who knows what will happen. That air of unpredictability is why nearly 18,000 fans and famous names have flocked here and why the joint pay-per-view broadcasters can charge over $50 and still be confident of a record audience.