In working on the farm he has rediscovered his vocation

In working on the farm, he has rediscovered his vocation.”At the same time as Hinault was being fêted, Broons’ own population had expanded beyond its normal 2,800. “I think we had maybe four thousand today,” said M Deniel, as his cleansing department swept up the débris left by the incomers and the Tour Caravan, the publicity machine which hits every town on the route an hour before the riders.Everything was showered on the spectators from the convoy of vans belonging to the army of tour sponsors. Caps, cheese and even sachets of coffee (only Maison du Café, the official Tour coffee, of course), prompting a mad scramble in the sodden flowerbeds. It was a far cry from the convoy which Broons welcomed 12 months ago. Then, a fleet of armoured cars commemorated the 55th anniversary of the liberation of Normandy and Brittany by following the route of General Patton’s army. On Wednesday, a twist of fate saw the Germans advancing: stage winner Wust comes from Cologne..

Frank Maloney has been doing his bit to help uplift our sagging sporting spirits. The little man with the big heavyweight has been parading at Wimbledon in his Union Jack suit, urging the Pimm’s-quaffing punters to buy tickets for next Saturday’s world championship defence by Lennox Lewis against the South African Frans Botha at the London Arena. Frank Maloney has been doing his bit to help uplift our sagging sporting spirits. The little man with the big heavyweight has been parading at Wimbledon in his Union Jack suit, urging the Pimm’s-quaffing punters to buy tickets for next Saturday’s world championship defence by Lennox Lewis against the South African Frans Botha at the London Arena.
“Support our boy,” he exhorted, handing out promotional leaflets. No doubt he soon discovered that Lenmania was not quite as contagious as Henmania, although Lewis certainly has far greater prospects of being there in the final round.Despite his sweet dispatch in two rounds of Michael Grant, hitherto touted as the best young heavyweight around, the large and likeable Lewis remains a hard sell. Such is the intensity of manager Maloney’s tub-thumping that you suspect there are still shoals of seats at all prices – which range from £75 to £750 – available at the Docklands Arena.For one thing, try as he does to lace his transatlantic twang with a few well-chosen cockney phrases, Lewis remains about as British as maple syrup.

A better man than Bruno he may be, but he will never be a true Brit. Perhaps he hasn’t lost often enough.For another thing, he’s rarely seen here, except on Sky Box Office, who will again be screening next Saturday’s show. The last time he boxed in what he insists is his motherland was almost six years ago when he walked into one from Oliver McCall (“I’ve climbed a mountain since then”).Saturday’s engagement is a welcome enough return, but he admits himself it is as much farewell as hail. It is highly unlikely he will ever be seen in action here again because of his contractual commitments with his US TV promoters.But perhaps the most damning reason of all for the apparent apathy towards him is not personal It is more to do with Mike Tyson’s double whammy. Tyson’s two appearances here this year resulted in débâcle rather than spectacle, the recent affair in Glasgow leaving a taste of bile in the mouth that has soured appetites for boxing. Which is why Lewis, and to some extent Botha, see themselves as missionaries, intending to put on a decent enough show to reconvert the departing congregation.”If I can help restore some pride and dignity to the sport after what has happened, I will,” vows Lewis, now that rarity in boxing – an undisputed champion.

The trouble is, the restoration of pride is a traditional rallying call whenever the beleaguered game falls from grace. Lewis and Botha may pick it up, but who is to say Tyson won’t be back (although not in Britain) to knock it down again?”Let’s not talk about Tyson,” said Lewis down the telephone from his US training retreat last week “Let’s talk about me and Botha. A lot of people are realising I’ve answered all the questions about myself, that Lennox doesn’t have no heart, doesn’t have stamina, can’t take it on the chin I’ve answered all that. Now the only question is when I’m going to retire.”So will it be before or after he fights Tyson, providing the political handcuffs can be unlocked? “Who knows?” he sighs enigmatically.Botha, on the other hand, is more than happy to talk about Tyson; perhaps rather toowilling. Or maybe it’s just because they are rather better acquainted.When they fought in January last year Botha was giving the former champion an embarrassing boxing lesson before Tyson reverted to type. When the referee called break Tyson did exactly that – only it was Botha’s arm he was trying to break.Botha recalls: “Mike was getting frustrated and angry because I was taunting him That was my mistake He stuck his fist under my elbow and kept lifting it up.

I felt a sharp pain in my arm and I said to the ref, ‘Look what he’s doing He’s trying to break my arm’. He did it two or three times and I got a bit upset and lost my concentration. That was when he nailed me.”Yet such is the brotherhood of boxing that the California-based Botha will not breathe a bad word about Tyson “You know what, Mike’s a nice guy at heart. There may be some people he can’t get along with, but when you get to know him he’s down-to-earth, likeable even. He may have the wrong people around him, but he’s not a bad guy I really believe he’s misunderstood And he’s good for boxing.