Mike Tyson and Lennox Lewis - The $4 Million step aside Deal

A quick breakdown of the famous step aside deal between Iron Mike Tyson and Lennox Lewis back in May 1996.
A lot of boxing fans are aware of the fact that Lennox Lewis got the payday for allowing Mike Tyson to face WBA champion Bruce Seldon in September ‘96. But then Tyson vacated the WBC belt almost immediately after that fight. So why did Mike Tyson pay Lennox Lewis $4 million to step aside if he was just going to drop the WBC belt right after anyway?
This video documentary will attempt to answer that question.
www.boxingnews24.com/
This episode of Rummy's Corner was written, narrated, and produced by Geoffrey Ciani (aka - Rummy).
Mike Tyson and Lennox Lewis - The $4 Million dollar step aside Deal Explained

[@howiseeit5326]

Thanks rummy for making this public, sick of Mike Tyson fanatics (not fans) trying to rewrite history.

[@richardeicholtz4868]

So in a nutshell you're saying that boxing was, is and will always be a freaking mess. Got it. Good stuff as usual.

[@robruiter7313]

Mike is the best als je verstand van boksen heb weet je dat ie de beste ooit is 3 jaar gezeten en nog was het een beest de rest jaaa geen van hun kon en kan aan Mike tippen grtz vanuit Nederland

[@anthonyanderson9303]

Yup its always been that way. Even worse back in the day when the mob ran things. This is why you need one commission.

[@ymcmbgod1433]

@@anthonyanderson9303 lol tf?? Back in the day we got to see big fights. Today no one wants to fight Wilder or Fury

[@kevinb9830]

@@anthonyanderson9303 We still got better fights back then than we do now.

[@kevinb9830]

@MR Blaze Pukka People forget how good Spinks was because Tyson demolished him. Spinks was absolutely an elite fighter. In that era there just weren;t many people who were greats in their prime. But the eye test tells me that the young, quick Tyson is a big problem for any prime fighter ever. He was never as quick after his jail spell and even a bit before that. He shone brightly but very quickly.

[@ReservoirPunk]

Cos Mike didn't want that smoke. Not difficult to figure out.

[@fiucik1]

I remember watching a documentary before Holyfield vs Lewis fight. And Evander thanked Lennox, because of him stepping aside from fighting Tyson, The Real Deal resurrected his career by stopping Iron Mike. Great video as always, cheers Rummy.

[@callumwarren3342]

do you remember the name of the documentary?

[@fiucik1]

@@callumwarren3342 it was actual full broadcast pre fight. Should be on KZbin

[@JR-qq1rf]

I remember that documentary I’ve still got it on DVD he basically said he is a fighter he is today because of Lennox Lewis because Tyson and Bowe Look at me of the easier option and avoided Lennox and he ended up having Great fights with both

[@thediaz07]

Yeah he stopped Mike with his head...great headbutter... probably the goat.

[@complexfellow4961]

Wow Lewis earned $4 million dollars and didn’t have to come into to work for it. 😂

[@wheelchairmanjon]

Him and Don King thought Holyfield was a easier fight but we all saw how that worked out

[@JoJo-sp7ds]

Holyfield on that trenbolone

[@shaunbat5097]

Yes.... apparently when they got news of a heart issue with EH.... they agreed the fight.

[@doitall36]

The Holy field fight was a much bigger money fight than Lweis and Tyson...Tyson purse was a minimum of 30 million for the first and minimum of 20 million for the rematch.. It was for the money

[@StuartTheunissen]

@@doitall36 How convenient for Tyson that the Holyfield fight was more lucrative than Lewis... Yet he would've received a much bigger payday fighting Lewis instead of chump Seldon, but went for Seldon anyway. Mike's comeback was all smoke and mirrors.

[@kevinb9830]

And yetit probably was the easier fight, because Lennox would have done at least as well.

[@extremeking425]

I wish you would do more videos on different weight classes by each decade, I still watch that History of the Heavyweight Division from the 1990s video from time to time.

[@RingIQ]

Best video ever

[@mauriceromain7849]

Loved that series

[@anthonyanderson9303]

Heck yea like a welterweight in the 2000s or something.

[@shropsiberian]

I watch that video too. Great memories & the video captures the history so well 👏🏻

[@guyincognito1423]

Truth is, Tyson was the greatest fighter of the 80's. But when talking about the 90's, he shouldn't even be mentioned. All he really did in the 90's was pad his record fighting journeymen and wash ups.

[@shaunbat5097]

Correct

[@OGboxing...]

Tyson chose to defend the WBA strap against what he thought was a shot Holyfield instead of losing the WBC strap to Lewis. It's not complicated.

[@timelliott841]

No one wanted to fight Lewis and it's not a surprise.

[@mrspecialk1234]

Galota was a terrible waste of talent and if his head was right he would have reigned supreme

[@jtaco4101]

@@mrspecialk1234 no way.

[@sengwesetogile6054]

Except for vitali. Even after lewis retired, vitali was still pestering him for a rematch

[@monsterleather9621]

Muhammed Ali hala aktif olsaydı o yıllarda acaba Lenox Lewis Ali'nin karşısına çıkmaya cesaret eder miydi??

[@rb5519]

@@sengwesetogile6054 Hell yeah! Vitali was doing great against Lewis.

[@mactheknife7049]

I'd love to see a video about all the machinations behind the Axel Shulz trilogy of title shots. It's a fascinating tale of how the poor guy (a) got robbed by the judges in a longshot title fight against George Foreman, (b) was then given a second shot by the IBF against Frans Botha, (c) lost the fight against a steroided-up Botha, which resulted in Botha having a phantom IBF championship for several months, (d) Shulz getting a *third* shot by the IBF because of it, this time against Michael Moorer, and finally (e) Shulz losing, yet again, to Moorer. It was absolutely wild, and is worth a detailed look.

[@bolieve603]

Every year that passed Mike got slower and Lennox's arms stayed the same length. If there ever was a window where Mike could have defeated Lewis's massive reach advantage with his speed and ferocity it was long closed by this point and everyone in both camps knew it.

[@Jaya365]

Its funny that cos "prime" mike tyson almost always fought guys that were older and slower in the "prime" years

[@rightmunted7538]

@@Jaya365 Yeah Tyson fanboys are pretty quick to call on the "he wasn't in his Prime" thing when talking about his bad performances but never accept that almost every one of his good performances were against guys who were nowhere near their prime or guys who just weren't on that top level.

[@GrubKiller436]

@@rightmunted7538 That's because you don't have eyes. If you just look at his performance with available eyes, you would be able to see he is at the elite level. Guys who were nowhere near their prime or weren't on the top level? Actually unfortunately for you, we do have at least one fight that fits that bill. Mike Tyson vs Michael Spinks.

[@GrubKiller436]

Regardless of what you have to say, Mike Tyson showed that he was heads and shoulders above all good fighters. Doesn't that make him a great fighter? I didn't say best. But being at the elite level... There's no doubt he's there. No man just casually beats Mike Tyson unless they are around the #1-2 level. Mike Tyson was in that position but declined down to the #3-4 level as the years went by. But let's see you try to get to the #4 spot in anything since you want to devalue his performance. See how easy that is for you.

[@richardmurphy8350]

Actually Lewis’s arms grew by around 1.5cm a year. Little known fact.

[@willasrock1]

Jesus, the 90's were such crazy times to be a boxing fan... Contenders taking each other out everytime a superfight was expected, upsets left right and center, quality competition all over...

[@RS-rd7dm]

It is a well kept secret Lennox Lewis was THEE baddest heavyweight of the 90s. Evander was the only one not afraid of Lennox. Even Bowe threw a belt away before a Mandatory against Lewis

[@mmcneil777]

Evander would have fought Lewis any time.

[@bumpsy2358]

@@mmcneil777That is because Evander haa the heart of a lion, period. And yes he did fight Lennox and lost, but he did fight him. Lennox Lewis is the greatest Heavyweight Boxer besides Ali, the boxing game has ever seen . And I said boxer as in pure boxer, not Brawler as in Tyson, Holyfield, and others.

[@thebestnever2127]

Lewis was offered 10 million by King originally and turned it down because he wanted 15 million and King wasn't prepared to offer him that. When King tried to set up a unification fight for Tyson against Seldon they were taken to court by Lewis to force them to give him a shot at the WBC belt. Lewis won that court case but agreed to step aside so that the unification fight could happen with the provision that he would get the next shot at Tyson. After Tyson beat Seldon, King entered contract negotiations with Lewis's camp. King claims to have twice reached a deal for a fight between Lewis and Tyson for $16million and $18million, but that both were ruined by the networks. Tyson had an exclusive deal with Showtime while Lewis had a deal with HBO and the only way the fight could happen was if one of the networks compromised but neither was prepared to do so.

[@kennylopezjeetkunedo5555]

Here's the real truth!!

[@thebestnever2127]

@@kennylopezjeetkunedo5555 yeah brother this guy told partially the truth just to get views imo, but I don't knock his hustle. Why would both men be scared when they sparred and it's a was good sparring.

[@ymcmbgod1433]

@Greenfields 12 chicken bowe😅

[@plotnonyo]

Damn

[@johnaustin209]

@@thebestnever2127 BS...

[@fasasitaiwo5782]

Very nice Video Rummy thanks for this I really enjoyed watching it. Taiwo watching from Nigeria 🇳🇬👍🏿

[@luqmaansaheed6714]

Wonder what the Mike Tyson fanboys are gonna say about this one. The truth is it’s ducking plain and simple. If Lennox Lewis was the one to pay Mike Tyson paid Lennox Lewis 4 million dollars to step aside, All you Tyson fans would be on his back forever saying he ducked. Keep that same energy for Mike Tyson. He ducked Lennox Lewis plain and simple

[@nicholaslynch522]

Tyson would have killed Lewis in his day. Tyson was fat and out of shape when they finally fought. And it still took lewis 8 rounds and getting deducted for fighting dirty to win.

[@raiderbro8663]

he even ducked old foreman

[@nza1804]

@@nicholaslynch522 jokes. Tyson is younger than Lewis lol

[@obama7828]

Lmao if he fought Lewis instead of Holyfield y'all would say he ducked Holyfield

[@msw8966]

@@nicholaslynch522 Your delusional

[@joselozada24]

Mike Tyson was not the monster everyone thought he was. He was selecting contenders he could beat. Finally the truth, he was ducking Lennox Lewis.

[@thebestnever2127]

he's 1st reign as champion, he fought all his contenders. If don't like mike personally just say that. And for mike not being a monster in your opinion, mike was a teenager beating on grown men. What was you doing ??

[@Rapuk]

I can’t see that after twice previously they had arranged to fight but networks in there contracts failed to give in to the contracts at the arranged price plus when Tyson sparred Lennox Lennox said tyson came at him like an animal and he couldn’t believe the speed and power but who knows ye

[@Ehrle6969]

Tyson destroyed lewis 4 days Long when he was 17 and Lewis was 21 when he was at cuz camp lel. Lewis was scared dats why He accepted the 4 mil He could disagree and fight instead and get 10 mil

[@lildbabyy2541]

@joselozada24 I been saying this forever everytime mike fought SOLID competition he LOST in unquestionable fashion❗️ What you said is facts this video in a nutshell basically proves Tyson ducked Lewis like the plague

[@thebestnever2127]

@@lildbabyy2541 and floyd didn't ducked fighters lol who did floyd beat???

[@jarodmathis1353]

Finally the truth a lot of people always say Lennox ducked Tyson but it couldn't be true he knew he was going to lose since the get-go.

[@generalkang1969]

The Tyson superfans think that everybody ducked Tyson... when in reality he never fought and defeated ANY of the great 1990s heavyweights (unless you consider Ruddock a 'great' - which I do not because Ruddock was 0-4 against the top tier)

[@charleslowe522]

Well I was alive during the 90's and I can't recall a single person saying Lewis ducked Tyson. I heard it the other way around. In addition that Bowe ducked Lewis, which wasn't the truth.

[@michael.Briggs]

@@charleslowe522 tyson definitely didn't fancy the lewis fight. I always believed, at the time, that bowe ducked Lewis, but I've since realised I was wrong. At least in part. I honestly think bowe was a little uneasy about it, after amateurs.

[@nurmos1]

Not the truth. Too many omissions and the details are misleading. This fight didn’t happen then largely because of the competing networks. Lewis was offered contracts ranging from $13.5 million to $18 million. Rummy lied on this.

[@ryquelwalker6209]

Can’t duck somebody u fought

[@eddiedevereoxford4995]

Tyson never beat a top-tier heavyweight (Spinks was a light-heavy), they were all journeymen and B and C-class. Post prison he dodged the big boys Lewis and Bowe, thinking he'd do better against ex-cruiserweight Holyfield. That didn't work out. In the ten fights after Holyfield, Tyson fought only one top heavyweight, by this time just for the cash bc he'd been cleaned out by King: Lewis - and not just lost, he was humiliated.

[@LG-ut9fp]

Thanks Rummy! You have the best channel for boxing on KZbin. Real love for the Sport! I love your analysis. See you in your next vid!

[@gibsonlespaul796]

I love watching the slow of the fantom punch against Seldon haha. That was clearly a dive haha !!!

[@StuartTheunissen]

Seldon was an absolute disgrace. Goes down as one of the worst 'champions' in boxing history. How he ever managed a belt in the 90s era remains a mystery that only Don King can solve.

[@billbryant9995]

I always wanted to see a Bowe-Lewis fight, felt like the public lost out big time on that one. What a wonderful era for heavyweight boxing.

[@tman2741]

Bowe ducked unfortunately

[@bumpsy2358]

@@tman2741He did the same thing Tyson did, they wanted no parts of the British Assassin. And I don't blame them.

[@theGodKingg]

Well done sir. I mean you explained it so perfectly and hit on every point. Keep it up!

[@wraithstrongopark]

informative video. great job.

[@donovanwilliams9006]

Subject of many an argument in my teens

[@markanderson9995]

Hey Rummy, Many Thanks again as always !!!!. I'd rather watch any of your videos then follow the current heavyweight scene these days !!!!. Can't remember did you ever do a tribute to the late Earnie Shavers ???. I'd LOVE that !!!!!. Blessings.

[@D2Kprime]

Interesting video. I never heard anything about this. I knew that the waters were murky in the heavyweight-division during that time, but this clarifies a few things.

[@ryanstewart4811]

This video is spot on🔥🔥

[@admir467]

Lewis is the best fighter of that era

[@thisislilraskal]

Would love to see a collab episode in the future with Rummy & OfficeHancho. The production quality of your clips including the editing, storytelling & deep knowledge combined is unmatched by any other boxing channel on KZbin. I reckon the project ideas you guys would come up with would be awesome.

[@ChadBeezly]

Hancho was great until they added the narration. The editing is still amazing.

[@jabber67]

Brilliant rummy 🍀

[@user-ec7jl4fg1p]

great video rummy!

[@nickharmer3049]

Yes Rummy. Really appreciated. I knew it happened, but didn't know why until now. Great stuff. Bless up bro 👊

[@nurmos1]

This video is misleading and has plenty of omissions.

[@cookiebozo]

❤ Love your videos Rummy ❤

[@tully8142]

All this video does is make me miss this era in the heavyweight division. So many great fighters.

[@michaellamp4600]

You should go watch some of the classic fights/videos from the 60s-70s...only era with as much or more talent

[@kwato]

Once again another quality video

[@stevelynch5843]

Say what you want they didn't want Tyson to face Lennox because they knew in their hearts he couldn't beat Lennox and it would bring all their plans to a stand still and Bowe wanted nothing to do with Lennox either and Sheldon looked like a dive

[@capitalcitygoofball1987]

Well, before I get too far into the video let me state the obvious. Everyone in Tyson's camp knew he wasn't ready for Lennox. Tysons comeback had carefully managed to sidestep all worthy opponents even while he was unifying the titles. Problem was, that era was very different from the 80's as was Tyson. He needed to avoid Lewis, Bowe, Holyfield, Mercer, and a few other fighters like Tua that were fairly new on the scene but probably would have beat him. Don King signed Mike to fight Holyfield only because the general consensus was that Evander was a shot fighter.

[@howlinblues]

My thoughts are Tua would Have Beat Up …Beat Up Tyson

[@harindranathghosh1283]

may be this is the "highest possible level of evaluation of a boxer", but Teddy Atlas, on Joe Rogan podcast said, "Tyson failed every time he faced real adversity...." Rummy's Corner is much appreciated for this video

[@bumpsy2358]

Real Adversity=Skilled Boxers Tyson's = victories against sluggers and bums. And a sparing partner took his title from him by KO

[@The_DEN_of_FIGHTS]

Super video you made! like!

[@freezhollywood]

Tyson ducked it is what it is. He knew he couldn’t beat Lennox at this time. Tyson stans will never admit tho. Casuals.

[@castroabuful2468]

Casuals?! You didn't acknowledge tysons 3 year inactivity because of prison and you expect him to fight the best immediately, he had 4 tune up fights to go for the title and yall out here have the audacity to say he is ducking.

[@mr.soystein7849]

​@@castroabuful2468 doesn't matter, Tyson still ducked Lewis.

[@castroabuful2468]

@@mr.soystein7849 so you think tyson should have fought lewis after 4 tune up fights after 3 years of prison?!

[@crimsonchin9632]

@@castroabuful2468 🦆🦆🦆

[@castroabuful2468]

@@crimsonchin9632 yall must really hate this man 🤣

[@user-ec7jl4fg1p]

hey rummy i was wondering what happened to the mike tyson career recap video i still watch that and the longer recaps while i hit the bag but i can’t seem to find the one on mike

[@RummysCorner]

It's back up. kzbin.info/www/bejne/omKzfKiVra1sp9E

[@Samacun]

Rummy is the 🐐

[@samxaiver9852]

THIS VIDEO IS FIRE!!

[@dennisfboston4543]

Tyson knew he wasn't the same after prison. Didn't want anything to do with Lennox or Bowe. Especially after ruddock did decently when Tyson had more left. Tyson admits it now. Great vids

[@JohnnyCage333]

Tyson also admitted in 2016 had he kept or still had Kevin Rooney as his trainer that he would still be champion today. So...

[@BiggieBigLnPac]

@@JohnnyCage333 Garbage. mike never said such nonsense.

[@STiergoofball]

​@@JohnnyCage333 Yeah, that's what he thinks But we never saw it and it's easy to say now so it doesn't mean anything at all🤷‍♂️ Or should we just believe him because of Mike basically giving us the ,,trust me bro" argument?🤨

[@silvagto]

When did they start calling James Buster Douglas “Tokyo Douglas”? I’ve been a boxing fan since the 80s, and I’ve never heard anyone call James Buster Douglas “Tokyo Douglas” until THIS vid

[@minkshultz]

Only big fight Tyson won was against a B+ fighter in Golota, the rest of his wins were against B- and C level heavyweights. A good short fighter can never beat a good tall fighter.

[@charleslowe522]

Rummy terrific upload and content. Since HBO Boxing is no longer on the air and when they were, they were no longer doing specials like they did before the Tyson vs Spinks or Bowe vs Holyfield I or II you've stepped in and are now filling that void. Please keep up the good work. There is probably not a lot of demand for this, but I remember back in the late 90's and beyond so called boxing fans were barking and saying that Chavez ducked Whitaker. First that makes no sense, because they did fight on September 10th, 1993. Whether or not Don King didn't want the fight, I am not sure. However, there was an article in either KO or Ring Magazine in 1991 where Georgie Benton was being interviewed and he said himself that they didn't want the fight with Chavez just yet. They, Lou Duva and Benton, wanted Chavez to get a little older before the fight took place. Whether or not Chavez would've had a chance against Whitaker at 135 or 140, of they fought in 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990 or 1991 is irrelevant in this discussion. My point is Benton and Duva deferred the fight, because Chavez was seen as too much of a bull in the ring according to Whitaker's brain trust.

[@danielturner7015]

Awesome analysis, that is why I figured he paid the 4 mill he didn't get enough rounds under his belt post prison. Also why Don King used Ritchie Giachetti as a bandaid is beyond me. Giachetti might not of been able to bring Mike back to 86-88 form, but he could keep Mike in incredible shape. Yet he was only used as a bandaid after Tyson would lose.

[@synergyhowacquisition3821]

for all of you delusional Tyson fanboys/ worshippers, Tyson was made to order"..... moreover all sports are fixed/ scripted" including boxing".... what a joke it is that so many of use have bought into this Tyson mythos/ myth".... hook line and sinker....

[@MaccaveliPL]

Even if Tyson fought Moorer he wouldn't become undisputed as George Foreman was still the lineal champion. And we know how Tyson felt about fighting him.

[@msw8966]

Tyson walked away from $50 million dollars to fight George. It would have been the biggest money making fight in history at the time. These Tyson fan boys always ignore that Mike DUCKED Big George.

[@dylanburston7453]

@@msw8966 He ducked just about everyone decent

[@Imspammedout]

@@msw8966 I don't know if calling it a duck is fair. Remember how he felt about Holmes fighting Ali? Maybe he thought he'd be doing the same with Foreman.

[@castroabuful2468]

@@msw8966 didn't George confess of being scared of tyson?! Also didn't tyson want to fight evander, but evander avoided mike back in 1990 and fought George instead.

[@Dxmi.A]

@@msw8966 don king offered foreman $20 mill to face tyson . Foreman declined . Go figure . In 1996 foreman was finished what would Tyson have gained fighting him. Oh great he brutalised an old man. Or he loses to an old man. Lose lose situation

[@barrettmabile1020]

good stuff

[@mattysquizzato7094]

It's funny to me; Tyson & King thought they were playing it smart by paying Lewis $4million to step aside. They were sure Holyfield was an easy night's work. Then Holyfield proceeded to fight the fight of his life, and put a wrinkle into those plans. They were SURE Holyfield was shot. NOPE! Good job Evander! 👏

[@Azner101]

Hey Rummy love your videos can you do a dream fight between Lennox Lewis vs Larry Holmes!!

[@samarthur1847]

Man that is complicated, you can smell Don King all over it. Mind you the current crop of heavy weights with the exception of Wilder/Fury and Usyk/Joshua are avoiding each other. Great video btw, thanks 😊

[@danddee1299]

Peopl always say ''Prime mike would ko Lewis'' but how about this, Passed prime Lewis would KO in prime Mike. And i'm not even exaggerating, passed prime Lewis was able to beat prime klitscko, prime briggs, and several others, he would've always had enough for Mike.

[@dylanburston7453]

Past prime Lewis beat past prime MIke when LL had a broken hand. The thing about Lennox is, as his physical prime went down, his technical prime went up. He was always dangerous, he always had one of the biggest right hands and a dominant jab. Hed probably do a number on Wilder, joyce, whyte, chisora and any of the other HW contenders. Hell probably wilder as well

[@GuruJudge21]

I love Lennox, but the win over Vitali was a doctor stoppage when he was up on the cards.

[@castroabuful2468]

Prime lewis went the distance against a drug addict tony tucker, tyson fought tucker in his prime and beat him.

[@daveyboy_]

When Mike was undisputed champion, Lennox still hadn't been to the Olympics.

[@Scientists_dont_lie]

I agree with you a thousand percent.. I've been saying a prime Lewis would beat a prime Tyson. I've entertained the idea an out of prime Lewis beats a prime Tyson.

[@MarkyCannoli]

Such a shame that Tysons prime was so short. He made so many mistakes….

[@reubenjacobson4543]

He ain't heaven materiel.

[@357SWAGNUM_MAGA_X]

And that's just it. Tyson didn't have true champ attributes. Muhammed never drank and it conserved his mind and body to be a true champ for a long time.

[@clenjones5748]

@@357SWAGNUM_MAGA_X too bad Ali was a muzloid

[@michaelhubbard4023]

His first mistake was Don King. His second mistake was firing Kevin Rooney. His third mistake was firing people that held him accountable and bringing in a bunch of "Yes Men"

[@david-lm7iu]

@@357SWAGNUM_MAGA_X don king really needs to answer how that happed

[@sumboy6183]

heyo hope you see this but could you do a video on benny lynch? love combat sports history but don't know much about my Scottish country men who were successful in boxing and would mean alot as im looking to research our greatest fighters n boxers

[@faulkrichards8044]

Awesome video as always Rummy! Do you think it would be possible to one day do a video about the fascinating and bizarre trilogy between Terry Norris and Luis Santana (where Santana faked being KO'd after fouls by Norris and won the belt by being carried out on a stretcher the first 2 fights)? Or possibly a video on the unrealized mega fight showdown Don King had in the works that would have pitted #1 P4P at the time Julio Caesar Chavez against #2 P4P at the time Terry Norris at the catchweight of 147 (they co-headlined the largest boxing audience fight in history at Azteca Stadium in Mexico, 134,000 people, when Chavez crushed Greg Haugen & Norris destroyed Maurice Blocker). They also almost brawled at Chavez's victory party in Las Vegas after he beat Terrence Alli.

[@federicostorms1541]

I really loved those few minutes of heavyweights history. I'm sure a documentary from Rummys Corner about its entire recent history (championship fights, belts and negociations included) would be highly apreciated from all rummys fans and boxing fans.

[@physicsariel9237]

Thanks rummy

[@WarioSaysSo]

2:13 - Tyson twice was off a fight with Evander Holyfield as Tyson was claimed injured with-out any medical evidences given and then the Ruddock rematch. 3:25 - Bowe could never come to an agreement because her & Rock Newman was constantly low-balling Lewis to get near nothing. And when Lewis even accepted there low offer he was met with a response from Newman; "Sorry to late, the boat have sailed and we will go elswhere". So after that they dumped the WBC title all in all to avoid Lewis. Bowe never wanted to fight Lewis just like he never wanted to fight any thretning opponents. Bowe was lazy and also did not want to risk losing. 3:36 - Lewis was actually at the time in negotiations with a unification fight with Lineal/WBA/IBF world champion Michael Moorer and before that had been robbed out of a multi-million fight with popular WBO champion Tommy Morrison, but his freak-upset KO 1 loss to Michael Bentt threw that out the window. And when the Moorer fight was somewhat stalled, Lewis was forced to fight WBC 1# Oliver McCall, however he was only focused at Moorer & after that taking on his nemesis Bowe. 5:31 - Lennox Lewis had been the mandatory WBC title contender since 13 May 1995 when he in an official WBC world heavyweight title elimination contest knocked-out WBC 3# Lionel Butler, so when Tyson fought Frank Bruno on 16 March 1996, Lewis had been THE mandatory challanger for over 10 months. Lewis was side-lined by WBC due to Don King's contract he had signed with Frank Bruno to fight his Tyson. That was a contract Bruno signed in late 1995 to get a volontary title shot against then champion Oliver McCall who King had issued in the print that; "The winner between McCall-Bruno MUST in there next title fight defend the WBC title against Mike Tyson and no one else". With-other words, Frank Bruno was on his very last chanse to fight for a world heavyweight title after 3 previous failures so he had no choise but accept the terms if he ever wanted to become a world heavyweight champion. That is why Lewis's camp was so frustrated afterwards when Tyson had won over Bruno the WBC title so now he wanted his earned shot. But the side-step pf $4 million was free money and Lewis had meenwhile readying himself against a dangerous puncher by fighting Ray Mercer. After that Lewis had Bowe in sight but as already know, Bowe struggled with Andrew Golota and had to prove himself in a rematch. So Lewis again was screwed out of a big fight. 7:04 - Tyson claimed in the entire career after 1995 that he never felt "ready" for fighting his era rival Lennox Lewis. Even claimed the same in 2002 after lost to Lewis that he again "never felt ready". To add, Tyson could between 1999-2002 at ANY point been given a fight against ANY world title holder but Tyson wanted easy fights only where he could easily KO his opponents and early as well. 8:31 - Yes that is true. BUT Bowe was schedulated to fight Lewis (now the new WBC champion) in later 1997, but then Bowe shocked evreyone by announcing his retirement and the fight was AGAIN off. So Lewis had to settle with the man who had given Bowe the struggles in Golota....and Lewis finnished him off in 1 round like an bulldozer.

[@borderlord]

The Seldon Fight...Blown off his feet by the wind from Tyson's missed punch! 🤣 Easy money..Smart lad!!

[@guywilliams6569]

Bowe with a mustache and part in his hair could TOTALLY sell me some carpet..

[@sugabearchiraq5755]

Seldon took a dive in that fight😂 So did Clifford Etienne 😂😂👌🏾

[@dansden10]

You should make a top 5 notable win video on Bernard Hopkins

[@james7700]

Tyson and king knew he couldn’t beat Lennox so kept him away so he could beat easy opponents and make more money. Lennox was the man he could’ve beat prime Tyson and is one of the greats

[@barrybarnes96]

Buster Douglas's win was no "fluke". He beat him fair and square.

[@JohnnyCage333]

🤣🤦🏻‍♂️...well anyway.

[@StoneTheCr0w]

Watch the ref count again and try saying that again with a straight face

[@trendofficial3641]

​@StoneTheCr0w hold a straight face with mikes nuts in your mouth. Whos his best win... frank bruno?

[@shaunbat5097]

​@@StoneTheCr0wMichael also had a long count the fighter listens to the ref only. Your idol was easily smashed , he also avoided the biggest rematch in history.

[@waylow83]

So tyson wasn't ready for Lewis but was ready for Holyfield. Clear duck.

[@ritchski1]

It was good for Tyson he didn’t fight Lewis at this point, he clearly would have lost. Post prison Tyson was a bit of a phoney in my eyes, against top opposition anyway.

[@nastynaz3376]

Tyson also supposedly got injured in training to fight Holyfield for the title, so the fight was cancelled

[@J.D.1.]

Tyson would have stood a far better chance in 96 against Lewis than when they eventually fought. If he hadn't gone to prison, he'd likely have fought Holyfield in 91 and against a new to heavyweight Holyfield, probably would have won as that was the young prim Tyson. Say he wins that, he likely fights Lewis earlier and good chance he wins that if he hasn't lost his sharpness as Lewis hadn't peaked yet. So. That leaves Bowe. Could Tyson in say, 94 if never out of the ring, beat Bowe? I think that would have been 50/50

[@billybob9961]

Great video I sure would like 4 Easy dollars

[@reubenjacobson4543]

That Right hand from Spinks was the worst overhand right I ever seen from a pro champion.

[@wyattblackwood3927]

This guy's got a few facts wrong. guys that Tyson fought on his way to the unified titles were washed-up old men in the twilights are their career. Buster Douglas was not a tune-up fight Tyson Evander Holyfield to fight Buster Douglas. The fight between Holyfield and Tyson didn't didn't happen not because Tyson went to jail Tyson backed out of the fight saying he had a" ribcage injury " from training. And let's be honest, anybody who washed at Bruce Seldon fight Saw the biggest dive in boxing history and everyone there knew it because when they announced Mike Tyson the winner I have never heard a crowd boo Mike Tyson the way the fans did that night.

[@nicholasdalby5178]

Ah, so a lovely Don King maneuver!

[@mz.joette9105]

Oh OK I get it now thanks😉

[@masterfulsky]

are we just gonna ignore old bruce seldon taking a dive

[@shaunbat5097]

Ive always known he paid Lewis. 86/7/88 he was great never the same again. The facts are Tyson avoided top fighters Bowe Tua Morrison Mercer Ibeabuchi Mcall Klitschko's Rahman Foreman Brigg's etc, he took Seven years from prison release to fight Lewis. Forget Tyson's early style as a 20/22 year old and compare his CV with Lewis. Baddest man on the planet....really!

[@MultiKadafi]

Lennox was offered $12M he refused and wanted to fight in court. King offered the money to Holyfield who wanted to fight Tyson in ring and not in the courts. Lennox never even had a belt and got beaten by Tyson sparring partner Mccall.

[@hombre-lobo5673]

Tyson fanboys assemble with your excuses for this one😂

[@ritchski1]

I’m a Tyson fan but I’d say he didn’t stand a chance against Lewis in 96.

[@J.D.1.]

The fact the Internet regards Tyson higher than Lewis now is a joke. Lewis is massively underrated in heavyweight history. Post Ali, nobody has been on Lewis's level

[@jtaco4101]

@@J.D.1. the cult of Tyson is absolutely huge.

[@johnaustin209]

@Thou Swell Revisionist bs.

[@Gen965]

FYI Tyson was way outta his prime when he fought lewis. Always Remember that it was Buster that took the iron away from mike, not Lennox & the Lennox fight was nothing but a Money making exhibition event, and + they're longtime friends just in case you didn't know. SO GIVE IT A REST BRUH. IT'S OLD.🥱💤

[@FerraristDX]

8:10 Or how about Mike Tyson vs. Axel Schulz? Would have definitely been interesting to see that match, as I think Schulz is slightly underrated as a boxer. Would he have beaten Tyson? No, but he wouldn't have been a first round loss either.

[@michaelbooth2890]

At 5:27 I think there is a time traveller with a smartphone.

[@GlorifiedTruth]

Rummy, as much as I love you, I have to insist: please, please, never say "oof, madone" again.

[@brocklanders3616]

This is no secret, and part of boxing. Lennox himself refused to rematch (Prime) Vitali in 2003-2004. Lennox's reason? He was waiting on Mike Tyson to make a decision for their rematch! In 1996, Lennox had Emanuel Steward. Was in his prime, while Tyson showed signs of rust and obvious decline. Yes, Tyson paid step aside money to Lewis. Who, despite being a great heavyweight. Was not a big draw. Certainly not on the level of Holyfield. For reference/comparison. Tyson Fury attempted to pay Wilder step aside money so the 3rd fight wouldn't happen. So Fury instead could face Anthony Joshua. Which many would say is an easier fight, and a much bigger pay day. Wilder declined what Fury offered, and we instead got an epic trilogy fight.

[@howiseeit5326]

Are Mike Tyson fanatics (not fans) even fans of boxing or just the man? Fruity lol.

[@thediaz07]

Imagine Mike kept Rooney, didn't do drugs or go to prison? Even if Tokyo Douglas still won (I doubt it) Mike could've fought Holyfield and Lewis..which I do believe those fights would've been wayyy different ..

[@ericgatlin6414]

In Tysons defense, he was already talking about retirement before he ever went to prison. Tyson was already 37-0 by the time Lewis turned pro. They was the same age. Lewis was also bigger than Tyson. This could be that Lewis waited until Tyson was declining before he turned pro

[@spirituallyconscious7774]

Tyson in 96 was still in his prime so stop it plz stop making excuses.

[@theinformationbomber7102]

@@spirituallyconscious7774 Tyson in 96 wasn't in his prime he was already declining

[@ruzcelbeltran]

Lennox lewis on the thumbnail looks like showing some chicken instead of money haha

[@RAZVANJUSTIN1]

Bowe vs Tyson would of been nice.

[@J0HNJ0RDAN]

It's a good thing boxing is so much fun to talk about.. if it were dependent on the right fights getting made, at the right time, we'd all be in trouble 😂

[@tswrench]

Sidebar: Lewis would have smoked Bowe.

[@woolybag1884]

Glad it happened. How many fights would we have missed if he didn't pay lewis?

[@pastorkoger1350]

Here!

[@simoneors]

bel video

[@jamesross7675]

Baddest man huh 😏

[@Scientists_dont_lie]

Hmmm. That punch that Tyson "landed" on Sheldon. What do you guys think? Wow watching it again... Guys... That fight was clearly.... Come on guys. Look at that punch that "landed". Look how seldons arms bounce.

[@Hetstaine]

Everyone knows the Seldon fight was a dive.

[@sawyermaitland]

▶️2:19Sanctioning belts

[@BigBoss69420]

Since boxing will never improve, "step aside" fights should be arranged more often. Especially considering the size of the purse these days.

[@ministerward7780]

Lennox Lewis had a great boxing career but I bet all I have that 40 years from now Tyson name will be mentioned more than anyone in his era Tyson is bigger than Boxing he's well loved Lennox Lewis is barley mentioned now a days