MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- Lennox Lewis dominated the headlines, but Memphis was a winner, too.

``We could have spent millions of dollars on all kinds of public relations campaigns and it never would have generated the international visibility we received,'' Mayor Willie Herenton said Monday.

Lewis retained the WBC and IBF heavyweight titles by knocking out challenger Mike Tyson in the eighth round at Memphis' Pyramid arena Saturday night.

The fight, one of the biggest sporting events of the year, came to town almost by default, and many skeptics, locally and elsewhere, questioned if the city could handle it.

``We pulled it off, I think, with great execution,'' Herenton said.

The fight -- and weekend of parties that surrounded it -- came off with no major disruptions, and millions of people around the world were exposed to hundreds of media reports on lots of people having lots of fun in Memphis.

``Something that may be second nature to Las Vegas, New York or Los Angeles ends up becoming of enormous value to Memphis,'' said Kevin Kane, director of the city's Convention and Visitors Bureau.

The fight filled the city's hotels and restaurants and added an estimated $30 million to the local economy.

It also brought in hundreds of journalists from around the world.

With all those media representatives in town for several days, coverage ranged from straight sports reports in major newspapers and on ESPN to comedy bits on the ``Tonight'' show starring Jay Leno.

``We don't have the kind of money to go out and buy that exposure,'' Kane said.

Herenton lobbied hard for the fight, ignoring critics both near and far. Local critics complained about Tyson's criminal past -- a rape conviction -- and skeptics wondered if the city could handle such an event.

The whole weekend should be a source of pride for Memphis residents, the mayor said.

``They've got something to say to their friends and relatives in other cities. 'Hey, it didn't happen in Vegas, New York, Atlanta or Washington. It happened in Memphis,''' Herenton said.

Tyson, known for erratic behavior in and out of the ring, behaved himself throughout his stay and was even gracious in defeat.

``He got nicer and nicer the longer he was here,'' Kane said. ``It's almost like the Southern hospitality rubbed off on him.''

Lewis dominated the fight from the beginning and stopped Tyson in the eighth round.

Though most of the fans at the fight were from out of town, the excitement surrounding the match drew thousands of locals downtown, too.

Police showed an unprecedented presence, and ``we were prepared for almost any eventuality,'' Herenton said. Police made no more arrests, however, than would be expected for a New Year's Eve or other busy night.

``They had metro gang units. They had SWAT teams, cops on horses and the regular Memphis police,'' said Frankie Vi, a doorman at a Beale Street nightclub.

The Saturday night crowd was the biggest he has seen in his six years on Beale.

``But it went off real smooth. I didn't see one fight,'' Vi said.

Rickey Peete, president of the Beale Street Merchants Association, said the 14 clubs and restaurants on the strip were packed all weekend.

``This was definitely a home run for Memphis,'' Peete said.

The Peabody Hotel, a Memphis landmark and the fanciest hotel downtown, drew large crowds of celebrity-seekers hoping for a look at anyone famous.

Many celebrities were in town, such as Wesley Snipes, Denzel Washington and Samuel L. Jackson, but few were seen on the streets, unless getting into or out of their limos.

Kane said the city will use its success with the fight in trying to draw other big events.

``You know an NBA All-Star game in 2006, 2007 or 2008 shouldn't be out of the question, and they shouldn't be worried whether Memphis could handle an event of that magnitude,'' he said.