NEW YORK -- Mike Tyson called off his January fight against Ray Mercer so he can challenge heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis in April.

	Tyson throws punches at fights ... and press conferences.

"This is a business, and I'm sure Ray understands why I need to take Lennox out now," Tyson said in statement Friday. "Lennox made me an offer than I could not refuse, and it is time to give the people what they want."

Shelly Finkel, Tyson's adviser, said, "It was worthwhile to go directly to Lewis."

As the No. 1 contender, Tyson is in position for the WBC's mandatory challenge against Lewis, who regained the WBC and IBF titles by knocking out Hasim Rahman in the fourth round of a rematch Nov. 17 at Las Vegas.

On Tuesday, Lewis sued in U.S. District Court in New York to have Tyson drop the Mercer fight or have the WBC remove him from the mandatory challenger's position

"The heavyweight championship is my destiny, and I need my belts on my waist again," Tyson said. "So keep taking those acting lessons, Lennox, because your next role will be playing Cinderella, and I am going to break your little glass chin."

Lewis' only two losses were on one-punch knockouts -- by Oliver McCall in 1994, and by Rahman last April 22.

Tyson stopped Brian Neilsen after six rounds Oct. 13 at Copenhagen, his first fight since Andrew Golota quit after two rounds Oct. 20, 2000.

The Jan. 19 Mercer fight was to have been telecast by Showtime, which had no comment about the cancelation.

The cancelation indicates that Showtime, which has a deal with Tyson, and HBO, which has a contract with Lewis, are close to agreeing on what would be a major pay-per-view fight.

They have had many meetings.

"I'm hopeful," Finkel said. "It's not done yet."

The career clocking is running down for both Tyson and Lewis. Tyson will be 36 on June 30. Lewis, of Britain, turned 36 on Sept. 2.