Bruno waits as Tyson marches on

Boxing

Frank Bruno was considering retirement when he arrived back in London yesterday, as the world champion, Mike Tyson, contemplated more riches and more glory.

"I'm not too sure," he said when asked whether he planned to retire after losing his World Council title. "I'll answer that in a couple of weeks' time. I'm going to try to spend some time with my family, relax, just chill out, and recharge my batteries."

In Las Vegas, however, the talk was of unification of the belts, with Tyson aiming at the World Association champion, Bruce Seldon, at the MGM Grand on 13 July, followed by South Africa's International Federation heavyweight champion, Frans Botha, who first has to meet former champion Michael Moorer.

Botha, who tested positive for steroids after his title victory over Axel Schulz in December, yesterday threw down the gauntlet, declaring: "Tyson's strong and powerful, but he has no skill. I'm the white Muhammad Ali."

Britain's Lennox Lewis, by virtue of Friday's New Jersey court ruling, is next in line for the WBC title, and should find himself back at No 1 in the April list of rankings, although a revitalised Oliver McCall is now jostling him for pole position to take on Tyson.