A note from Tyson to Lewis

What's up Lennox,\nHow does it feel to be the heavyweight champion few Americans care about? With the exception of one punch and a quick stoppage against Oliver McCall in 1994, your career is almost perfect. Still, in the eyes of the American public, you're not as charismatic and haven't defeated the quality of opponents like other great heavyweights.\n Not many people on this side of the Atlantic seem to care that your fame is handled with class or that your name is never found in the police blotter. Sure, you might come across as cocky on television, but what boxing champion doesn't talk boastfully of himself when the cameras and microphones are rolling?\nYou have defeated all comers and have an impressive 37-1-1 record. Instead of crying for an extended period of time after a controversial draw with Evander Holyfield, you went out and easily defeated him in a rematch a few months later.\nFor some reason Holyfield is considered one of the greatest heavyweights ever. Many of the same people who hold Holyfield in such high regard are the same doubters who say you need a defining victory before you are mentioned in the same breath as Muhammad Ali, Joe Louis or even Holyfield.\nYou're easily the United Kingdom's greatest pugilist. But even your fellow countrymen often take your success for granted.\nFor the past three years very few boxers have dominated a division like you -- stampeding through the heavyweight class. Michael Grant was embarrassed by you in April. Grant was supposed to be one of the brightest heavyweight prospects and one of the few fighters who could match your size. But Grant, like many of your previous opponents, quickly discovered he didn't deserve to be in the same ring. \nIn July it took you two rounds to land a brutal combination and stop Frans Botha. There are no heavyweights in the world that mix one-punch knockout power with crafty combinations like you do.\nAndrew Golota couldn't last a round with you. Oliver McCall left the ring in tears in a rematch as you regained the title in 1997. Henry Akinwande was scared of getting hit by one of your punches, so he decided to hug you like a teddy bear. \nNow, you fight David Tua Saturday in Las Vegas. Tua is supposed to be the world's top heavyweight prospect. He will enter the ring with a 37-1 record and is supposed to have more power than any fighter you've faced.\nThe problem with Tua is that he has never faced a fighter like you. Many of Tua's victories have come against journeymen like Shane Sutcliffe, Obed Sullivan and Robert Daniels. \nAnother problem Tua will encounter is the fact he might need a step ladder to land a punch on your face. Tua stands just 5-foot-9, eight inches smaller than your 6-foot-5 frame.\nTua has a chance, but it would take the punch of his life to knock you out. A win against Tua is considered a solid victory, but it won't bring you the greatness you desperately seek.\nTo prove yourself to the demanding American fans and the rest of the world, the one man you need to beat is expected to be sitting ringside Saturday night. Yeah, that's right I'm taking time out of my busy schedule to watch you.\nYou need me and I need you. It would be one of the most eagerly anticipated heavyweight bouts in almost 20 years. It would also be the richest fight in history. You could walk away with at least $25 million for working less than hour.\nBut it's not the money that you desire. Beat me and you're one of greatest heavyweights ever. A loss and the critics are going to label you as a "lame duck" champion. \nI want to fight you. Why else would I show up at your public workout in New York last week and make the trip to Las Vegas to see Saturday's fight? \nAnd if what you say in interviews is true, then you want to fight me. So, do yourself and the boxing world a favor. Pound Tua this weekend. Call my handlers and let's get it on.\nIf this happens, then greatness is only a few months away. Well, it's more like the beating of your life is a few months away.\n-- "Iron" Mike Tyson