Lewis gekk nú lnegra en það og kærði Tyson í bókstaflegri merkingu til að koma í veg fyrir að Mercer-Tyson færi fram og Tyson varð ekkert smá reiður yfir því og kom með eftirfarandi yfirlýsingu:

“I am outraged by Lennox's attempt to interfere with my career. I stepped aside as the No. 1 WBC challenger in November to allow the rematch with Rahman. Lennox makes his own rules only when it suits him. Lennox, if you want me, we can fight on Jan. 19. I am sure Ray Mercer would much rather fight me for the heavyweight crown after I finish you off.”

og síðan hætti hann við mercer bardagann og gaf frá sér þessa yfirlýsingu:

``The heavyweight championship is my destiny, and I need my belts on my waist again,'' Tyson said in a statement today. ``So keep taking those acting lessons, Lennox, because your next role will be playing Cinderella, and I am going to break your little glass chin.''