TYSON CUT AND PASTED LEWIS SHOWS DOMINANCE, GETS KNOCKOUT IN 8TH ROUND.

Byline: Michael Rosenthal Assistant Sports Editor 

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - Mike Tyson was exposed as what so many refused to believe he is: an illusion.

The former champion is hardly the superstar who steamrollered through the heavyweight division in the mid- to late-1980s. In fact, he's nothing but a plodding, one-dimensional fighter whose only hope of victory was a big punch that never came Saturday.

No, this was Lennox Lewis' night. The big Briton, accused by so many of lacking in passion, rendered Tyson a pitiful, confused, utterly helpless punching bag before finally finishing the job with a crushing right to the jaw from which Tyson could not get up.

The official end came at 2:25 of the eighth round, when referee Eddie Cotton counted out Tyson in front of 15,327 exhilarated fans at The Pyramid. However, it was clear much earlier that this was a mismatch.

Lewis, who retained the heavyweight championship, had hoped this would be the defining fight in his outstanding career and it certainly was. Tyson's eroded skills notwithstanding, it was one of the great performances by a heavyweight in recent memory.

``I think heavyweight fighters mature at different times,'' Lewis, 36, said in the ring afterward. ``Mike Tyson (35) matured at 19, when he ruled the planet. I'm like fine wine, I'm always learning. And I'm ruling now.''

To Tyson's credit, he fought cleanly and never gave up in spite of his hopeless mission. Afterward, he was gracious.

``He's wonderful fighter,'' he said of Lewis. ``He was too big, too strong. I don't know if I could ever beat that guy if he fights like that. ... It was a splendid performance.''

Indeed, it was.

In an effort to avoid trouble, a wall of 14 security guards spanned the ring to divide the fighters as they entered the ring to wild applause, particularly for Tyson. However, Tyson had nothing behind which to hide once the opening bell sounded.

Lewis, taller by about seven inches, fought what even Tyson's handlers admitted was a perfect fight.

His most important punch was his remarkable jab, which he used increasingly as the fight went on to keep a charging, always-dangerous Tyson at a distance and set him up for powerful and ultimately debilitating rights.

Tyson (49-4, with 43 knockouts) fought well in the first round. He jabbed to set up his own punches and found a way to get inside Lewis' long reach. Gradually, however, Lewis' rights wore down Tyson and sapped both his energy and will, leaving him a stationary target.

As in recent fights, Tyson threw one punch at a time - and didn't throw many.

``You saw the game plan in the first round,'' said Ronnie Shields, Tyson's trainer. ``He used his jab to get inside and land punches. And then, in the second round, he just stopped. I don't know why. He just stopped jabbing and started throwing single punches.

``From then on, he fought on just heart and determination.''

The end, in the eighth round, was gruesome.

Lewis (40-2-1, 31 KOs) first landed a right-left-right combination that sent Tyson to one knee for a moment for the first of two knockdowns. Moments later, with Tyson dazed, Lewis landed a chopping right to the challenger's jaw and Tyson crumbled to the canvas.

It was quite a sight: Tyson flat on his back, both eyes swollen and bleeding from cuts, blood trickling down his nose and no more fight left in him. It was clear he wouldn't get up.

When Cotton concluded the count, Lewis strutted around the ring pointing to himself - his way of saying that without question he's the baddest man on earth - while Tyson was helped to his corner.

Tyson's battered face and the punch statistics told the story. Lewis, who won all but the first round on all cards, landed 193 of 328 punches overall, 109 of 205 jabs and an astounding 84 of 123 power punches. Tyson landed 49 punches among 211 thrown.

``I wanted to prove to the people I'm the best in world, on the planet,'' Lewis said. ``... He thought he could get away from my jab. No one can get away from my jab.''

Certainly not Tyson, not at this stage of his career.

Now what? Lewis won't retire, as some speculated he might. He said he'd like to enjoy this victory and then decide what comes next.

Tyson? Immediately after the fight, he said he'd like another shot at Lewis and the champion politely said he'd consider it. However, after such a one-sided beating, a rematch anytime in the near future would seem unlikely.

Shields said that Tyson, too, will digest his fate and then consider his options. And, according to Shields, he seems to be handling the disappointment well.

``He's happy, I'm happy,'' Shields said. ``He told everybody, 'This is our sport, this is what we do. How many times have I had my hand raised? I accept this and I want everyone to accept it.

``I lost to a better man tonight.' ''

--In preliminary bouts: Junior featherweight champion Manny Pacquiao of the Philippines stopped former bantamweight titleholder Jorge Eliecer Julio at 1:09 of the second round to retain his title.

Pacquiao (34-2-1, 25 KOs) knocked down Julio (44-4, 32 KOs) twice in the second round and was about to do it again when the referee stopped the one-sided fight. It was Pacquiao's second title defense since his stunning victory over Lehlohonolo Ledwaba last June.

Former junior lightweight champion Joel Casamayor (27-1, 17 KOs), coming off his controversial loss to Acelino Freitas on Jan. 12, knocked out tough but overmatched Juan Jose Arias (33-3-1, 27 KOs) at 1:44 of the eighth round of a scheduled 12-round bout.

Jeff Lacy (10-0, nine KOs), a 2000 U.S. Olympian, stopped Kevin Hall (18-6-1, 12 KOs) in three rounds in a scheduled eight-round super middleweight bout.

And Jo Ellen Wyman (8-5-1), a 35-year-old personal trainer from Woodland Hills, lost a unanimous six-round decision to unbeaten Corrine Vanryck de Groot (10-0, four KOs) of Atlanta.

CAPTION(S):

2 photos

Photo:

(1 -- color) Lennox Lewis stands over Mike Tyson after a straight right hand sent Tyson to the canvas for good in the eighth round.

Mark J. Terrill/Associated Press

(2) Lennox Lewis, right, used his potent left jab at will Saturday against Mike Tyson.

Laura Roach/Associated Press