The Manager of World Boxing Council (WBC) heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis said yesterday that Mike Tyson's return to the ring would not affect his fighter's planned unification bout with Evander Holyfield.

Tyson had his boxing licence returned on Monday, 16 months after he was stripped of it for biting Holyfield's ear.

Many expect an explosive and lucrative rematch but Lewis' manager Frank Maloney said that the fight between Lewis and Holyfield, who holds the World Boxing Association (WBA) and International Boxing Federation (IBF) titles, will go ahead as planned. The date and location will be announced by the end of the week.

Holyfield signed the contract last week and is expected to earn around $20 million for the fight. Lewis, the WBC champion, is expected to earn about $7.5 million.

"The world wants a unification fight and the world wants an undisputed champion," said Maloney. "Evander Holyfield and Lennox Lewis are the two title-holders and Mike Tyson must wait his turn in the queue.

"I think Tyson's return is good for boxing. You can't stop a man from earning a living. I just hope he uses it for the good of Mike Tyson and good of boxing.

"Mike Tyson is still the biggest money-maker in boxing," he added.

"They made such a big thing out of something that happened in the most physical and emotional sport we know. We all make mistakes. There are things in my life I wish I hadn't done."

Maloney expects Tyson to have two warm-up bouts before fighting the winner of the Holyfield-Lewis fight.