DECEMBER 2000 SPORT HEADLINES

Thursday, January 25, 2001 - Web posted at 9:22:04 AM GMT

Tyson and Lewis set for SA in July

JOHANNESBURG - The fight of the new millennium between Mike Tyson and Lennox Lewis has landed in the lap of South African promoter Joe Manyathi."

"This is the break every fight promoter dreams of," Manyathi told Nampa-Sapa on Wednesday when he revealed that he had received the go-ahead to stage the world heavyweight bout between IBF and WBC champion Lewis and Tyson at the MTN Sundome in Johannesburg July 21.

The Johannesburg-based Manyathi was given the go-ahead last October by the Lewis camp to stage the fight against Tyson after Lewis' defence against Wasim Rahman in Las Vegas in April.

Manyathi was yesterday finalising negotiations with Tyson's business manger Mark Macpherson in Las Vegas."

"This fight heralds an exciting replacement for our loss of the Soccer World Cup bid to Germany."

" said Manyathi.

"I also want to stress that a contribution of R1-million is planned for an Aids awareness campaign to be administered by Pastor Ray McCauley and Ron Steele of the Rhema Church."

"A further R1-million has been earmarked for boxing development in South Africa," Manyathi said."

"We have done our logistics and Lewis is committed to fighting in Africa.

This will also be an opportunity for companies to come on board."

"Emanuel Steward, the president of the Kronk Gym where Lewis trains has given Manyathi the go-ahead to complete the fight negotiations.

The fight also has the blessing of WBC president Jose Chagnon Sulaiman, whose statement reads: "The WBC and its Board of Governors pledge our absolute support and commitment to this fantastic fight in such a great country."

"Manyathi, who started organising fights in Soweto in the early 1960s and who is co-founder of the Soweto Homemakers' Fair, said the tournament will be dubbed the "Warriors of Africa versus The World"."

"We have an agreement with the Lewis management and are in full negotiations with Tyson's representatives," Manyathi said.

Manyathi also revealed that Lewis had committed a donation of US$2 million (about N$15 million) to a South African children's charity that will be announced soon. - Nampa-Sapa

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