Mike Tyson for a more lucrative box-office venue, but the Nevada Boxing Commission refused him a license to box as he was facing possible sexual assault charges at the time. Two years prior to the bout, Tyson had made several inflammatory remarks to Lewis in an interview following the Savarese fight. The remarks included the statement "I want your heart, I want to eat your children." On January 22, 2002, the two boxers and their entourages were involved in a brawl at a New York press conference to publicize the planned event. A few weeks later, the Nevada State Athletic Commission refused
Mike Tyson vs. Pinklon Thomas a unification match with Tony Tucker, who was able to capture the IBF Heavyweight Championship by defeating Buster Douglas by 10th round technical knockout prior to the Tyson–Thomas fight. The two men went the full 12 rounds, with Tyson ultimately picking up the victory by unanimous decision to become the first Undisputed Heavyweight Champion since Leon Spinks in 1978. Mike Tyson vs. Pinklon Thomas Mike Tyson vs. Pinklon Thomas, billed as "Hard Road to Glory", was a professional boxing match contested on May 30, 1987, for the WBA and WBC heavyweight championships. In 1986, the three major boxing organizations, the