LENNOX LEWIS has revealed that 15-year-old Mike Tyson was a ‘large’ who was ‘knocking individuals out simple’.
The Lion memorably beat Iron Mike after they collided in 2002 however they first shared a hoop collectively as teenage sparring partners.
Lennox Lewis sparred Mike Tyson for numerous days in Catskill, New York
The Brit later shared a hoop with Iron Mike in a 2002 grudge match
Lewis prevailed with an eighth-round knockout in opposition to Tyson
The British icon left Canada with his first trainer Arnie Boehm to drive to Tyson’s New York base after successful the World Junior Championships.
And Lewis lifted the lid on his first expertise assembly the Baddest Man on the Planet – who on the time was a yr youthful than him at age 15.
He informed the Guardian: “I appreciated him. We bought to know one another fairly nicely. We spoke, we went right down to the city, went to a dance collectively.
“He was a large as a result of throughout coaching within the Catskills you’d watch him knocking individuals out simple. I believed he was nice.
He was a large as a result of throughout coaching within the Catskills you’d watch him knocking individuals out simple. I believed he was nice
Lennox Lewis on teenage Mike Tyson
“When the time got here I knew we’d meet within the ring. I needed to know if what Cus (D’Amato) stated would come true.”
Each Lewis and Tyson went on develop into heavyweight champion of the world quite a few occasions and at last fought in 2002.
Brit star Lewis got here out on prime with an eighth-round KO however they have been additionally concerned in a infamous press conference brawl ahead of the fight.
Tyson was pressured to pay a fine for biting his rival’s leg during the scuffle – which almost saw the mega-fight cancelled altogether.
But regardless of this, Lewis wasn’t left feeling too apprehensive at going through Iron Mike after he was promised it will be his best battle.
He added: “Sure and no. Sure, as a result of TV made him appear to be King Kong. However, no, as a result of Manny [Lewis’s legendary trainer Emanuel Steward] at all times informed me Tyson can be my best battle.
“I’d say: ‘Come on, now. He’s going to be a little bit tough.’ However Manny stated: ‘No. It’s your best battle.’”
