Knockout

Better even than preventing the match from going ahead was that Mike Tyson should fight and be defeated. It was never feasible that the convicted rapist could be denied a venue – somewhere in the world would put the lure of money above disapproval of a man who revels in his criminality. The weekend's result – a (literally, for once) stunning knockdown by Lennox Lewis, the British heavyweight champion of the world – should put an end to the myth of Tyson.

Those who follow boxing closely knew better, but there was a wider perception that Tyson's violence out of the ring was a necessary part of his undoubted prowess in it. We should rejoice in his thrashing by a man who brings a rare dignity to the murky world of boxing. Many regard boxing as an ugly so-called sport – although this is not a good enough reason for banning it. With Tyson down, if not yet finally out, it is now slightly less ugly.