Deals Are Sealed for Holyfield and Tyson Bouts in Las Vegas

The drawn-out negotiations for the Evander Holyfield-Lennox Lewis II and Mike Tyson-Orlin Norris heavyweight fights have been finalized.

The Holyfield-Lewis rematch for the undisputed heavyweight title is scheduled for Nov. 13 at Las Vegas’ Thomas & Mack Center.

The first fight ended in a controversial draw in March at New York’s Madison Square Garden. In the opinion of most ringside observers, Lewis won the fight. Each fighter will receive $15 million.

Tyson will launch yet another comeback against journeyman Norris at Las Vegas’ MGM Grand Garden Arena on Oct. 23, according to a source close to the fighters.

Tyson knocked out Francois Botha in the fifth round last January in his only ring appearance since losing his license in the summer of 1997 after biting both of Holyfield’s ears in their title rematch.

Tyson was then forced to put a halt to his erratic career when he was sent to jail for assault. Originally, his first opponent upon his return was to be Buster Douglas, the man who handed Tyson his first defeat in 1990. But when Douglas couldn’t get in shape, Norris got his shot at a big purse and the chance for instant credibility.

Tyson will get $10 million for the fight, Norris $800,000.