Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, April 13, 1995 TAG: 9504130083
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-4 EDITION: STATE
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: HOUSTON LENGTH: Medium
``The word now,'' the IBF heavyweight champion said, ``is come fight.''
Foreman, meeting with reporters to pronounce himself ready for an April 22 title defense against Axel Schulz of Germany, said he contacted Tyson in prison to set up a $100 million title fight.
But Tyson declined the offer, which would have resulted in a $50 million paycheck for each fighter, Foreman said.
``Mike Tyson was afraid of a 46-year-old man,'' Foreman said. ``Fifty-million bucks Tyson could make right now ... Tyson is hiding.''
Neither Tyson, who was reported to be busy buying luxury cars and a multi million-dollar home in Las Vegas, nor his representatives could immediately be reached Wednesday.
Mort Sharnik, Foreman's publicist, said he was approached by a Tyson representative before that fighter's March 25 release from an Indiana prison, where he served three years of a six-year rape sentence.
Sharnik said Tyson wanted to fight Foreman without involving promoter Don King, and Foreman sent word for Tyson to call him in Houston. But Tyson never called, and Foreman claims ``he won't even return my phone calls.''
Foreman, who became a grandfather last month, said he has decided not to fight again after 1995 and hopes to close his career by boxing Tyson. He said his offer stands should Tyson choose to accept.
``C'mon, let's do it now, because this is the last year,'' he said. ``The word now is come fight.''
As for his upcoming title defense at the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas, Foreman said he was feeling good and had dropped to a lean 250 pounds while training in seclusion in Marshall, Texas, over the past month.
``No steaks and no hamburgers, so I'm in good shape,'' he said, adding that he expects Schulz to be a tough opponent even though he is unranked.
``I'm going to have to fight this thing to the end,'' Foreman said. ``It's going to be a tough fight.''
Choosing to fight Schulz rather than No. 1 challenger Tony Tucker cost Foreman his WBA championship. That body's executive committee voted last month to reject Foreman's appeal to sanction the Schulz fight. Foreman has promised to sue the WBA in response.
``They started that process as soon as I won the title,'' he said. ``They never wanted me to wear it.''
by CNB