Tyson-Schulz Bout Scrapped

By CBSNews.com staff CBSNews.com staff

January 26, 1999 / 4:21 PM EST / CBS Sportsline

Ten days after Francois Botha was knocked out by Mike Tyson, Axel Schulz on Tuesday was knocked off the list of prospective opponents for Tyson's next fight.

Wilfred Sauerland, Schulz's manager, said in Frankfurt, Germany, that Showtime, the cable network with a multiple-fight deal with Tyson, was not interested in the German heavyweight fighting Tyson on April 24 in Las Vegas.

"It's the end of all dreams," said Sauerland, noting a fight contract had been drawn up and had been ready to sign. "The subject is closed. Axel is very disappointed."

"I'm not saying he's in or out," said Jay Larkin, who runs boxing for Showtime and SET, its pay-per-view arm.

Larkin, however, also said, "It would be very difficult for us to sell Mike Tyson against a guy who lost to the guy he just beat. And, Schulz is not exactly a household word in America."

Botha, knocked out in the fifth round by Tyson Jan. 16, outpointed Schulz for the vacant IBF title Dec. 9, 1995, at Stuttgart, Germany. Schulz has not fought in the United States since he lost a decision to George Foreman April 22, 1995, in a bout preceding his loss to Botha.

Larkin said others being considered for the next fight in Tyson's latest comeback included Michael Moorer, former IBF champion; Lou Savarese, who knocked out former champion James "Buster" Douglas in the first round and lost a decision to Foreman; Shannon Briggs, who beat Foreman on a controversial decision; Herbie Hide, the WBO champion from Britain, and Brian Nielsen of Denmark.

Larkin said Donovan "Razor" Ruddock, who has lost twice to Tyson, was not on the list.

Sauerland said Showtime concerned about lower than expected income from Tyson's pay-per-view fight against Botha.

Larkin, however, said, "From Showtime's standpoint it did fine. There were about 750,000 buys on cable and satellite (averaging $45), making it the most successful pay-per-view event in the last 20 months. But Tyson is only measured by his own past success."

The Botha fight in the MGM Grand Garden at Las Vegas was Tyson's first since he bit Evander Holyfield's ears and was disqualified June 28, 1997. The April 24 fight also will be a pay-per-view match in the Grand Garden.