Tyson and Lewis weigh in
without incident

Separated by three hours and a State line, Lennox Lewis and Mike Tyson weighed in without incident on Thursday for what is expected to be the richest heavyweight world title fight of all time.

Stepping on to the scales at the Memphis Convention Centre three hours after Lewis, a smiling and chatty Tyson weighed in at a beefy 234 1/2 pounds (16 stone 10 1/2 pounds) as a woman's screams of "I love you Mike" echoed through the packed hall.

Only once before in 52 fights, when Tyson entered the ring at 239 pounds last October against Brian Nielsen, has the former champion weighed more.

An expressionless Lewis, who will defend his WBC and IBF titles against Tyson on Saturday, had earlier weighed in at a muscular 249 1/4 pounds (17 stone 11 1/4 pounds) before quietly exiting the stage under armed police escort.

"The scales were six pounds over and I don't think Lennox weighed that much either," said Tyson's trainer Ronnie Shields afterwards.

"Mike wants this fight, he wants it for himself. Just look at him. He's in shape."

In a departure from boxing tradition whereby both fighters usually weigh in at the same time, Lewis was back at his training base in Tunica, Mississippi by the time Tyson made his appearance three hours later.

UGLY BRAWL

Promoters have gone to extraordinary lengths to keep the two fighters apart in effort to avoid a repeat of the ugly brawl that marred the January press conference to announce the bout.

The melee, triggered when Tyson stormed across the stage to confront Lewis, very nearly scuttled what is expected to be the richest fight in boxing history when the former champion was denied a license for Las Vegas, original venue for the bout.

Both fighters have branded each other as cowards and responsible for the situation, which has seen them conduct separate media conferences and means there will be no traditional touching of gloves before the opening bell.

But Adrian Ogun, Lewis's business manager, explained it was but co-promoters HBO and Showtime who had imposed the restrictions to help ensure the fight goes ahead.

"It was television," said Ogun. "They received criticism around the world after the last press conference and they were not going to step into that trap again.

"The networks have so much invested that both camps think that maybe this situation is better.

AT STAKE

"The networks have a lot at stake and they have insisted on certain precautions and I'm not going to argue with them.

"We were willing to appear with Mike, television didn't want that and we accept that."

Lewis, who will defend his WBC and IBF titles against Tyson, arrived for the weigh-in from his Mississippi training camp in a motorcade escorted by police cars and motorcycles.

The convention centre was under Olympic-type security with metal detectors, bag searches and police posted in elevators and garage entrances.

Wearing sunglasses and a baby blue sweat suit, Lewis stripped down, stepped on to the scales and left without making any comment.

"Lennox Lewis is in good shape," said trainer Emanuel Steward. "I'm satisfied with his condition."

At 249 1/4 pounds, Lewis was well under the 253 pounds he weighted in for his first fight against Hasim Rahman when lost titles in a shock fourth-round knockout.

"Lennox Lewis is in good shape," said Lewis's trainer Emanuel Steward. "I'm satisfied with his condition."