But he was a sucker for a sob story. Those who got to him with their tales of woe often found a direct link between his heart strings and purse strings. In November, when Lynne Carter, a boxing judge and Streets Department official, was trying to raise money for children with autism, we called Butch.
He delayed a business trip to Dubai and showed up for our fundraiser with two of his children and with Michael Spinks and Fareed Ahmed, a close associate. He wrote a check for more than we had requested.
"I wouldn't do this for anybody else," he claimed. Both of us knew that wasn't true.
Don Hubbard, who first partnered with Butch in promoting two Leon Spinks vs. Muhammad Ali fights, recalled the hard bargainer and the soft touch.
"I've seen him bawl a guy out about a $10 meal ticket and then turn around and give the guy $500 for his light bill," Hubbard said. "That was Butch."
He went toe-to-toe with Don King and hotel mogul Barron Hilton in a contract dispute that ended up in federal court before Butch finally prevailed. That was Butch, too.
The battle splintered a short but productive partnership between BLP and Don King Productions. They had combined to co-sponsor the heavyweight title unification tournament that ended with Mike Tyson in possession of all three belts.
It wouldn't be the last time they'd do business together. The fight game is like that. Guys brawl to the final bell then embrace when its over.
The final bell tolled for Butch Lewis on Saturday at daybreak. His heart stopped as he rested at his sprawling beach house near Rehoboth Beach, Del.
