By Ferd Lewis
Advertiser Columnist

Is this where it ends for Mike Tyson? Is this where Lennox Lewis punches Iron Mike forever into the freak show world that threatens to consume the once self-styled "baddest man on Earth?"

The carnival music started for Tyson the curious night he chomped Evander Holyfield's ear five years ago and has gotten louder with each sideshow-like incident.

Now, only the notion that he still possesses the punch — if no longer the heart — of a champion is what allows Tyson to cling to any pretense of a boxing future. At least for one more night.

The thought that, 16 years later, he might still be capable of something approximating the kind of fistic devastation that made him the youngest heavyweight champion in history at age 20 is what gives him any credibility.

The suggestion that he might once more be able to focus the considerable rage that boils within him and channel it into beating his opponent instead of himself is all that keeps Tyson from being much more than a 2-1 underdog tomorrow in Memphis.

It is a tenuous tie at best for a number of reasons. For one, Tyson's last victim of note, Donovan "Razor" Ruddock, was more than a decade ago. Far from a Who's Who of the heavyweight division, Tyson's infrequent fights have been a veritable Who's That?

They have been bouts made noteworthy only by the sadistic or cannibalistic nature of the pre-fight pronouncements or the attempts at breaking an arm or leg in the ring. Not for any retention of skills.

Knocking out the Orlin Norrises and Lou Savareses of the planet is one thing. But Lewis, the reigning World Boxing Council and International Boxing Federation champion, is another. And Tyson comes into this one having fought but 18 rounds since the infamous "Bite Night."

For all the reasons Tyson needs to win this fight — and paying off what has been reported as a staggering debt of $10 million-$15 million would seem a source of inspiration — sometimes you wonder how much he really wants it.

The promoters of this one must wonder, too, which is likely part of the reason they have scheduled press conferences, workouts and even yesterday's weigh-in separately for each fighter, lest Tyson do something to torpedo the show.

Once Tyson was the most menacing pugilist of his time who struck fear into opponents before they got into the ring. Now, more feared for his molars than his fists, he is a sad joke out of the ring and a $20 million question mark in it.

Win this fight and Tyson not only retakes the heavyweight championship, he can reclaim what's left of a career and the promise of a string of big paydays.

Lose it and Tyson is well on the way to writing his boxing obituary. And, we know what awaits Tyson then.

The Jerry Springer Show.