Mike Tyson has been guaranteed a minimum of $30 million, about £20 million sterling, to fight Lennox Lewis in what looks certain to be the richest boxing contest of all time.
The staggering offer was made in the wake of Lewis' devastating two-round victory over the South African Francois Botha at the London Arena on Saturday night.
It would equal Tyson's biggest pay day, for his world title rematch with Evander Holyfield, from which he was disqualified for biting the then world heavyweight champion's ear.
Lewis, the present champion, increased the pressure on Tyson to step into the ring after another devastating victory in defence of his title. "Tyson should put up or shut up," he said.
Warming to the Tyson-baiting theme, Lewis said: "The message was sent to him a long time ago. He talks about being the best since Jack Dempsey but he is not even the best in his era; Evander Holyfield beat him twice. The glamour's gone off Tyson. He's turned into a circus show."
Lewis may feel Tyson's image is tarnished but Seth Abraham, the powerful head of the American television network HBO, says it will be the biggest-money event in the sport if Tyson's backers can be persuaded to take the fight.
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