Evander sees rematch as time for redemption

Dean Juipe

Tuesday, Nov. 9, 1999 | 10:09 a.m.

With an air of invincibility that comes with being a reigning heavyweight champion, Evander Holyfield strode toward the ring through a crowd of enthusiastic well-wishers.

Wearing a terry-cloth robe and nodding in the direction of those who addressed him, this was Holyfield at his imposingly relaxed best.

It may have only been Monday night and it may have only been his training crew awaiting him in the ring, yet Holyfield took full advantage and used a well-attended open workout at the Las Vegas Hilton as something of a dress rehearsal for Saturday's unification showdown with Lennox Lewis at the Thomas & Mack Center.

But rather than trading punches with Lewis, he went through a light session that showcased a few skills while tinkering with some others.

A plus 160 betting underdog in the Hilton sports book, Holyfield looked typically fit and strong despite his advancing age (37) and extended mileage.

"You would think with two champions coming together it will be a good fight," he said of putting his World Boxing Association and International Boxing Federation belts up against the World Boxing Council title held by Lewis. "For me, it's a chance to redeem myself."

Holyfield, 36-3-1 with 25 knockouts in a professional career that dates from 1984, was happy to escape New York with a draw when he and Lewis tangled March 13. And while he is still reluctant to add his voice to those who believe he deserved to lose that earlier bout, he has acknowledged the need to do a few things better.

"There's more than one way to get a guy," he said. "Fights are as easy as you make them. It's not like the last fight I thought I did anything wrong, but I've got to be a little more precise.

"I'll be better this time."

Toward that goal he has reclaimed the services of Kenny Weldon, a veteran boxing trainer who has been brought in as a technical advisor of sorts. Weldon, working under lead trainer Don Turner, specializes in footwork and balance and is back with Holyfield after several years of tending to fighters such as Raul Marquez, David Gonzales and Eric Griffin.

"My reputation is as a technical teacher," Weldon said. "I worked with Evander for five and a half years when he first turned pro, and he asked me to rejoin him for this fight.

"Don Turner is a great strategist but he and Evander felt the need to focus on Evander's feet and getting in position.

"After two years of fighting Mike Tyson and having to face a guy who jumps right into you, now Evander's facing a man so tall it's hard to reach him, plus he sits back and waits for you.

"Evander would probably say he needs more movement for Lewis, and he needs to get back to fighting with the rhythm he had before."

Lewis, 34, is 34-1-1 with 27 KOs and is a minus 190 favorite at the Hilton. He will hold his own open workout today at Mandalay Bay.

"Everytime I swing I want to hit the guy hard," Holyfield said without implying he was revealing any secret strategy. "Once I saw the tape (of the March 13 fight) I realized that when I wanted to get in, I did. I just stayed too far away (too often)."

Holyfield said what really ailed him in the first fight with Lewis was his sickly health.

"I had stomach cramps," he said. "I probably shouldn't have fought, but this is boxing. If you only fought when you felt good, you might never fight.

"You make that decision when you become a fighter. You have to fight with what you have."

With his health OK and a little extra help in his corner, Holyfield trusts he has more at his disposal this time around.

"I'm going to beat Lennox," he said. "There won't be any controversy."