Mike Tyson this combination. Expectations for Tyson were extremely high, and he was the favorite to win the heavyweight unification series, a tournament designed to establish an undisputed heavyweight champion. Tyson defended his title against James Smith on March 7, 1987, in Las Vegas, Nevada. He won by unanimous decision and added Smith's World Boxing Association (WBA) title to his existing belt. "Tyson-mania" in the media was becoming rampant. He beat Pinklon Thomas in May by TKO in the sixth round. On August 1 he took the International Boxing Federation (IBF) title from Tony Tucker in a twelve round unanimous decision, with
Lennox Lewis vs. Mike Tyson Lennox Lewis vs. Mike Tyson Lennox Lewis vs. Mike Tyson, billed as "Lewis–Tyson: Is On", was a professional boxing match that took place on June 8, 2002 at the Pyramid Arena in Memphis, Tennessee, United States, between IBF, IBO and WBC heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis and former IBF, WBA and WBC heavyweight champion Mike Tyson. Prior to the event, Lewis was awarded the "Ring" magazine heavyweight title, which had been vacant since the late 1980s and was last held by Tyson. The fight was for Lewis' heavyweight championship titles. Lewis defeated Tyson by knockout in the eighth round. The fight