Lewis: No talks underway with Tyson
( 2001-06-02 10:11 ) (7 )

Britain's Lennox Lewis has not opened discussions with Mike Tyson about a non-title showdown later this year, the fighter said Friday, emphasizing he expects to next fight a title rematch with Hasim Rahman.

In a statement released here Friday, Lewis emphasized that he wants to fight Tyson, but only after facing Rahman, the American who stopped him with a fifth round knockout April 21 in South Africa to claim the world heavyweight crown.

"There have been press reports to the effect that I have authorized negotiations for a fight with Mike Tyson," Lewis said. "I want to make clear that there have been absolutely no such negotiations by my camp."

Lewis' hopes for a quick chance to reclaim the crown depend on a June 11 lawsuit hearing in United States District Court in Manhattan. Lewis will claim Rahman must abide by a rematch clause in the contract from the prior fight.

From a boxing standpoint, Lewis and Tyson are the most logical foes for each other with Rahman seemingly out of the picture. Tyson advisor Shelly Finkel has said talks have started between the fighters' rival financial backers, HBO and Showtime.

But to bolster his chances in court, Lewis cannot afford even the idea that he has already given up on facing Rahman and started talking to Tyson.

"I have rejected any effort by anyone to deter me from immediately regaining my championship," Lewis said.

"On numerous occasions, I have made clear my great desire to fight Mike Tyson. I very much want to fight Mike Tyson. However I have continuously stated since April 21, and instructed my business manager Adrian Ogun and my attorney Judd Burstein to state, that I will only fight Mike Tyson after I fight Hasim Rahman.

"Put simply, the only time I plan to fight Mike Tyson is in the context of defending my world championship."

Rahman has ditched promoter Cedric Kushner and signed a deal with Don King that will have him defending the International Boxing Federation and World Boxing Council crowns in Beijing on August 5 against Nigeria's David Izon.

Kushner has a lawsuit pending at the same hearing as Lewis against Rahman, claiming King interfered in a binding contract by luring away Rahman with five million dollars and promises of greater riches if he got a piece of future fights with Tyson and Lewis.