By Mike Indri
Retired Boxers Foundation
(New Jersey State representative)
June 26, 2003

While an out-of-shape Lennox Lewis was earning 7 million dollars to fight in Los Angeles this past weekend, former Heavyweight Champion Mike Tyson was fighting for nothing on a Brooklyn street at 4am. While "Iron Mike" may have been legally justified in defending himself against a couple of drunks, boxing people know Mike's not "RIGHT". Can anybody save Mike Tyson from his most devastating opponent - HIMSELF? It sure isn't going to be his manager Shelly Finkel. Finkel's only concern is for Shelly Finkel. From his beginning with Alex Ramos to now, he has cheated and hurt many more fighters than he has ever helped. Tyson isn't a 16-year-old prodigy anymore he is a man. He has to start taking care of himself, because nobody else will.

Looks like former World Heavyweight Champion Evander Holyfield will be meeting current IBF Cruiserweight Champ James Toney in a heavyweight bout scheduled for October 4th. Toney, who in his last fight weighed 190lbs while defeating Vasily Jirov for the title, says he will come in at 220lbs against Holyfield.

Sat in on a couple of conference calls this week:
First, a disappointed and still upset Vitali Klitschko stated "Lewis was lucky, if the doctor didn't stop the fight I would have knocked him out". Still shocked that the fight was stopped, Klitschko added "It (his left eye) looked horrible, but I could see. This was a Championship fight, I wanted to show the people I could beat Lewis. I want a rematch." A small consolation to Vitali Klitschko is that this loss provided him with something his 32 victories (31 by knockout) had not - the respect of the boxing community. Vitali's courageous performance definitely calls for the shedding of his "quitter, no heart" label.

Next up was Lewis's original opponent Heavyweight contender Kirk Johnson (34-1-1, 25 KO's). Johnson who pulled out of the fight due to an injury (torn pectoral muscle) was upset at his missed opportunity and at Lewis's insinuation that Johnson's injury wasn't real. "It's stupid and insulting to say that" yelled Johnson, "I will knock out Lennox Lewis, he's a fake - he's not great." Johnson and his promoter Dino Duva are hoping that Lewis will stand by his obligation to fight Johnson. Duva added "Lewis made a commitment to fight Kirk, we will be ready in September. He should fight Kirk Johnson."

USBA Jr. Welterweight Champion Mike "no joke" Stewart takes on former world champion Terron Millet (27-4-1, 9 KO's) this Friday night in Atlantic City, televised on ESPN2. Stewart (32-1-2 with 16 KO's) is looking to make a statement in his first title defense. An impressive win and "no joke" says he wants to fight Arturo Gatti next.

Speaking about Arturo, his three-hour surgery last week to repair a torn tendon and fracture in his right hand (suffered during Gatti/Ward III) went well - according to his surgeon Dr. Melone. The plan calls for Arturo to rest about 5 months, with a possible fight date of December, on HBO.

We all want to wish promoter Lou DiBella a speedy recovery and send him our get-well wishes. Lou had developed a very serious infection a couple of weeks ago after a routine cyst removal procedure. One of boxing's really good people, DiBella has currently taken an 8-count (home resting) but looks forward to his return to work next week.

That's it for this week in boxing: any comments or questions concerning fights, fighters, etc. I can be reached here at "All About Bergen" or via e-mail at RBFNJMIKE@aol.com, keep the faith and never give up - Mike.