NEW YORK -- Lennox Lewis is suing Mike Tyson to prevent him from fighting on Jan. 19 or to have the WBC remove Tyson from the mandatory challenger's position if he does fight.

The suit, which also names the WBC as a defendant, was filed in U.S. District Court in Manhattan on Tuesday.

It contends that such a fight for Tyson could hurt Lewis financially. Tyson and Lewis are expected to fight next spring.

Lewis regained the WBC-IBF heavyweight titles by knocking out Hasim Rahman on Nov. 17.

Tyson is scheduled to fight Mercer next month, probably at Atlantic City, N.J. He then is supposed to challenge Lewis in April, although that fight is not yet signed.

In a statement, Tyson said Wednesday that he was "outraged by Lennox's attempt to interfere with my career."

"I stepped aside as the WBC challenger in November to allow the rematch with Rahman," Tyson said. "Lennox makes his own rules only when they suit him."

The WBC mandatory defense was scheduled for November. A federal judge, however, ruled that Rahman, who knocked out Lewis on April 22, must fight Lewis again before he fought anyone else.

The suit contends that the WBC entered into an agreement with Tyson that allows Tyson to engage in a Jan. 19 bout against an opponent other that Lewis, but bars Lewis from fighting anybody before he fights Tyson.

It also is said that the Jan. 19 fight could hurt Lewis monetarily.

"If Tyson fights on Jan. 19 and is permitted to remain the mandatory challenger, it will be impossible successfully to promote a timely championship bout that will maximize revenues -- especially if Tyson is injured in the Jan. 19 bout," the suit states.

"Lennox, if you want me, we can fight on Jan. 19," Tyson said in the statement. "I'm sure Ray Mercer would much rather fight me for the heavyweight crown after I finished you off."

A Lewis-Tyson fight should be worth at least $20 million to each fighter unless the fight went to purse bids. The suit charges that the WBC has ruled that "in event of the purse bid, the split will be just 44 percent to Lewis and 45 percent to Tyson."

Generally, the rule in a purse bid is 75 percent to the champion and 25 percent to the challenger.

A mandatory defense against anyone but Tyson would bring Lewis much less than $20 million.