Boxing: Tyson gets incentive to behave

Top British promoter Frank Warren has revealed that Mike Tyson will have a financial incentive to be on his best behaviour when he meets Lennox Lewis in Memphis on June 8.

The former undisputed world heavyweight champion is quoted at just 4/1 by bookmakers William Hill to be disqualified during The Pyramid Arena showdown.

’Iron Mike’ suffered that fate after biting the ear of Evander Holyfield in Las Vegas in 1997.

And Warren also has first-hand experience of Tyson’s wayward temperament having promoted his two fights in Britain in 2000.

The Manchester win over Julius Francis was a relatively tame affair but Tyson was lucky to escape censure for continuing to hit Lou Savarese after their Glasgow contest was deemed over, with the referee even being caught up in the ensuing melee.

And Warren said: ‘‘Let’s hope he doesn’t do any more stupid things.

‘‘If he does, and certainly if he does anything in the ring, I know there is a clause in his contract that means Lewis will get a percentage of Tyson’s purse. So at least he has that incentive to behave himself.’’

However, that may not be enough to appease Lewis’ fears after he was bitten on the thigh during a press conference fracas with Tyson earlier this year.

Lewis originally wanted Tyson to seek psychiatric help before agreeing to meet him in the ring and the Briton’s former manager Frank Maloney said: ‘‘Lewis is frightened of Mike Tyson.

‘‘He’s not frightened of boxing Mike Tyson, but he’s actually frightened of what Mike Tyson could turn up and what Mike Tyson will do in the ring outside the rules of boxing.’’

One man refusing to harbour such negative thoughts, though, is Memphis mayor Willie Herenton.

The former Golden Gloves amateur boxer declared: ‘‘This fight is about entertainment. This is a major sporting event that people all around the world will be interested in seeing.

‘‘I want to look at the positives, and the positives are the fight will be in Memphis, the 18th largest city in America, and the world will be looking at Memphis.

‘‘I think that for those of us who are citizens of Memphis, for those of us who operate airports, hotels and restaurants, let us show the world that Memphis is a good place to come for wholesome entertainment.’’