Lewis says Tyson needs, 'some help'

LONDON, Jan. 31 (UPI) -- Heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis said Thursday night he would be willing to fight Mike Tyson anywhere the bout could be staged but only after Tyson gets "some help."

"First of all, you have to realize that Mike Tyson needs some help," Lewis said in an interview on CNN's Larry King Live. "And, I think, you know, he should get the proper help first before he thinks about boxing, you know, because you don't want to step into the ring and all of a sudden it turns into some kind of savage sport."

Lewis, who was speaking from London, said the projected date of April 6, "doesn't look too good," even if the state of California agrees to host the match. A decision is expected next week.

The fight was to have been held in Las Vegas, but the Nevada Boxing Commission refused to reinstate Tyson's boxing license, a move costly to the fighters and Las Vegas.

That decision came a few days after Tyson turned a news conference into a chaotic brawling scene during which punches were thrown, curses were hurled at newsmen and the two fighters engaged in an impromptu wrestling match. Lewis said Tyson bit him on the leg during the melee. The champ told King he got a tetanus shot after the incident.

"Now, if you're going against the rules and you're trying to punch somebody low, head butt, break somebody's arm, bite somebody, that just brings a different context to boxing. That's not what I went into boxing for.

"I don't want to go into the ring with Mike Tyson if it's not a boxing match. If it's just a savage sport where he's trying to bite me, it doesn't make sense to step into the ring with him."

Asked if he thought Tyson wanted to fight him, Lewis said that question would be better directed at Tyson.

"It doesn't seem like he wants to fight at the moment, so he's doing everything to stop it," Lewis said. "But there's, you know, 20 million pounds on the table, and basically he put that at jeopardy."

He acknowledged Tyson was popular.

"They're excited about Mike Tyson just like they're excited about a train wreck. They basically want to what's going to happen."

Lewis said he was not underestimating Tyson, though he felt the former champ was past his prime, and did not believe Tyson could beat him.

"I realize that Mike Tyson is a fighter. You know, he only knows one way," Lewis said. "That's to come in and try and knock you out. And yes, definitely, he does have a great punch. He still can knock out people.

"But, you know, I'm not going to allow that to happen to me. I'm going to use all my talents, all my skill and do what comes naturally, and that's to be the greatest boxer that I know I can be.

"I don't believe Mike Tyson can beat me. I think he's past his prime. I'm the best in the world, and he wants to be where I'm at."