(Now that’s a headline we never thought we would be writing)
The boxing legends are set talking of a rematch this September some 19 years after their first and with a combined age of 109, the two will stand toe-to-toe again (if they can get through the news conference without a nibble)
After a successful return to the sport against Roy Jones Jr last year the 54-year-old American was on the hunt for another opponent.
Rival Evander Holyfield and Tyson had been set for a third fight in Miami this May, but the deal fell apart as they failed to agree on money.
But now Tyson has confirmed he will face Lewis, 55, in September, having lost to the Brit earlier in his career.
He simply told TMZ: “I’m gonna fight Lennox Lewis. September.”
Lewis retired after beating Vitali Klitschko in 2003 but recently admitted he could stage a sensational comeback.
Earlier this year, Lewis revealed he was keen to take on Tyson again having watched his comeback to the ring.
“If the public wanted it then we would probably talk,” he told TMZ.
“I don’t know. I don’t really have nothing pushing me in the ring right now.
“People would love to see that fight but I don’t know.”
Lewis defeated the American back in 2002 in the 8th round with a knockout, with Tyson (what Lewis claims) as still in his prime.
Tyson at the time had not lost since 1997, when he was disqualified for biting Evander Holyfield’s ear.
Lewis was the unified heavyweight king and the build-up was filled with bad blood. I t had taken 2 years since Tyson called out Lewis after beating Lou Savarese in just 38 seconds.
“I’m the best ever. I’m the most brutal and vicious, and most ruthless champion there’s ever been,” he said.
“There’s no one can stop me. Lennox is a conqueror? No, I’m Alexander (liking himself to Alexandra the Great). He’s no Alexander. I’m the best ever.
“There’s never been anybody as ruthless. I’m Sonny Liston. I’m Jack Dempsey. There’s no one like me. I’m from their cloth. There’s no one that can match me.
“My style is impetuous, my defense is impregnable, and I’m just ferocious. I want your heart. I want to eat his children.”
Mayhem became of a standard pre-fight face-off when Tyson marched toward Lewis and swung a punch at his bodyguard.
Lewis later recalled: “All of a sudden I saw him take his hat off, throw it on the ground and start marching towards me.
“Boom. I was on it – the first three punches were mine and the first bite was his.” (Biting his leg)
Tyson had to pay Lewis around $360,000 for biting his leg, and the brawl almost saw everything cancelled. Tyson clearly wasn’t mentally stable after the long line of personal upsets.
Tyson suffered six defeats in his 56-fight record, with Lewis losing two of his 44.
Forty-four of Tyson’s 50 wins came by way of KO, with Lewis amassing 32 KOs from 41 wins.
Lewis has one draw to his name — that came against Holyfield in 1999.
The Brit has a huge size and reach advantage when the two fight. Tyson is 178cm with a 180cm reach, while Lewis is 195cm with a 213cm reach.
