It is a fight between the two greatest heavyweight boxers of the last 15 years.

It is a fight that the whole world wants to see, and would be gripped by, were it not for the distraction of events unfolding in the Far East.

It is a fight that represents the final defining moment in the careers of Lennox Lewis and Mike Tyson.

But more than anything, it is a fight that should never have been allowed to happen.

The last thing boxing needs now is for its tarnished reputation to be further sullied by events tonight in Memphis.

Can we be sure Tyson will not once again drag the noble sport's name through the mud? No.

But can we be sure Lewis will not follow suit?

After all, Lewis's declaration earlier this week, when he vowed to match Tyson blow for blow if he punches him after the bell, hardly augurs well.

Having taken a chunk out of Lewis's thigh at the farcical press conference to announce the fight in New York, few would bet against Tyson bringing boxing into disrepute again.

The many millions of dollars that are riding on a clash between Lewis and Tyson meant the various factions were always likely to put the pair on a collision course.

But that does not mean such a fight should have been sanctioned.

Those who are profiting from this bout stand accused of accepting blood money.

Tyson's mental state fluctuates from the unstable to the insane. Why else did Las Vegas, Atlantic City and New York - boxing's Meccas - turn down the chance to stage the fight?

Instead, the Lewis and Tyson entourages have had to head to Memphis, a decision that is akin to British promoters moving a corresponding fight staged over here from London to Leicester.

The bout will not be for the boxing connoisseur - it will be the domain of ghouls.

It is the boxing equivalent of watching motor racing, purely to see high-speed crashes.

One would love to be proved wrong; to see a titanic fight that can be compared to those that pitted Muhammad Ali against Joe Frazier and George Foreman in the 1970s.

What a wonderful footnote to the careers of both Lewis and Tyson that would be.

But the fight is a ticking timebomb, and needs just one spark to detonate and send shockwaves across the sport.

Who will win? Who cares? For once, it will be enough for both fighters to retain their honour.

But don't hold your breath.