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[BOXING]



Bars bring Memphis to Hawaii


By Dave Reardon
dreardon@starbulletin.com

It wasn't exactly like $2,400 ringside seats at The Pyramid in Memphis, Tenn. But the fans at All Star Hawaii in Waikiki got plenty of bang for their 30 bucks yesterday -- especially since many seemed to enjoy watching Lennox Lewis bang away on Mike Tyson.

Several local sports bars provided some of the proper fistic ambiance for the heavyweight championship bout between Lewis and Tyson. Alcohol, food, boisterous fans ... even a ring girl ... made it the next best thing to being there.

"This is better than watching it at home," said Ernie Rivera of Makiki. "You can't beat the atmosphere ... lots of testosterone going around."

When Lewis, the defending champion from England, knocked out Tyson in the eighth round, the loud cheers at the sold-out All Star Hawaii -- some in British accents -- made it obvious which boxer most of the fans favored.

"I've been following his career for many years. I'm happy that Lennox won," said Dave Murray, who is originally from Great Britain but lives on Maui now. "He can't hold the title forever, it changes hands a lot, so we have to enjoy it while he has it."

Then there was the anti-Tyson factor.

Many root against the former champion because of his bizarre behavior in and out of the ring. They were glad to see Tyson get knocked out.

"Now Mike Tyson and Dennis Rodman can wrestle," said Honolulu bartender Wayne Larrow, who predicted Tyson would win but was glad when he didn't. "That outcome is the best thing that could have happened for boxing."

KCCN sportscaster Bobby Curran said he doesn't think the 35-year-old Tyson will retire.

"What else is he going to do? He's not going to work for NASA in this lifetime," Curran said.

U.S. Rep. Neil Abercrombie said he felt sorry for Tyson.

"It's a terrible shame what's happened to him," Abercrombie said. "The people who really cared about him, who loved him, either died or were pushed out of his life at an early age. It doesn't matter who you are. When you're out there on your own it's hard."

Abercrombie, an avid boxing fan, said the outcome of the fight wasn't a surprise to him.

"It stood to reason, just like (when Lewis fought) David Tua. Tua and Tyson are both punchers, and they always have a puncher's chance. But unless they could get inside and get a good shot at Lewis' jaw, his incredibly powerful and fast left jab, coupled with the powerful right, is something too formidable from a guy that big," he said.

Eastside Grill near the University of Hawaii was also among the closed-circuit venues showing the fight. Owner Robbie Acoba said the crowd was comprised of "hardcore fans, mostly tourists," he said. "I think a lot of local people stayed home and did Pay-Per-View."

Acoba said customers who didn't come for the fight and were turned away didn't leave too disappointed because he gave them coupons for free food on their return.



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