Lewis ready to solidify spot at top

Dean Juipe

Friday, Nov. 12, 1999 | 9:57 a.m.

For 10 years Lennox Lewis has been an increasingly visible fighter, acquiring titles, stockpiling riches and enjoying the fruits of his conquests.

The good life he has led has been accompanied by widespread exposure and the type of infinitesimal attention to detail that only wealth can command.

But along with the prosperity and the European and, later, World Boxing Council heavyweight championship, Lewis has also stockpiled the type of criticism that isn't easily erased and has, to some extent, negated his many accolades.

Whether deemed "too standoffish" or "too susceptible to a good punch" or "too stiff" in the ring, the complaints have hounded the Englishman since he first emerged as a legitimate contender. Even in getting the best of Evander Holyfield March 13 in New York, Lewis was saddled with varying forms of abuse for his failure to dramatically -- and convincingly -- end the fight in his favor.

But Saturday at the Thomas & Mack Center he can rectify any and all misgivings about his standing in the sport when he and Holyfield are rematched with the unified heavyweight championship at stake. While Lewis could win with a lesser performance, a dominant one would give him the respect that has thus far eluded him.

"I'm going to do everything in my power to make this a great fight," he said of facing Holyfield again, their first meeting having ended in a lackluster draw. "I have an arsenal of punches I can throw at any time."

While not outwardly sensitive to criticism, Lewis has always been aware of it. And while it has yet to impact his fight plans or strategies, that awareness seems to have peaked this week.

"A lot of people in the media want to see me be more aggressive," he said. "They want to see me win by knockout. I'm going to do everything in my power to do it."

The fact that he didn't take that same attitude into the ring back in March all but haunts him.

"I was a bit too cautious in the first fight," Lewis said. "I didn't want to take any chances and leave myself open.

"But now I realize Evander doesn't really have any answers for me. I think we'll go at it a bit more this time, and I know I'm going to stay right in front of his face.

"I've decided not to worry about it."

Lewis, 34, is 34-1-1 with 27 knockouts in a pro career that dates from 1989. He won European (1990) and British Commonwealth (1992) titles before claiming the vacant WBC championship with a decision win over Tony Tucker in 1993 in Las Vegas.

He lost that belt three fights later when Oliver McCall surprised him and took a second-round knockout, yet Lewis rebounded to defeat the crying and mentally fatigued McCall two years ago in Las Vegas with the WBC title once again at stake. He has since defended the championship against Henry Akinwande, Andrew Golota, Shannon Briggs and Zeljko Mavrovic.

Yet while superstar status has been within his grasp throughout the decade, Lewis has sidestepped it with the occasional so-so showing offsetting his blockbuster outings -- such as the night he punished the muscular Golota in a fight that failed to last the first round.

He also failed to capitalize when catching a cramp-weakened Holyfield in New York, although it appeared he did enough to win. Lewis landed 348 punches that night to Holyfield's 130, yet the judges -- since disgraced and subjected to considerable ridicule -- had the fight split three ways and it was scored a draw.

"Looking at the tape, there's a lot of things I could have and should have done," Lewis said. "Overall I thought my performance was good but I could have done more than I did. I played it too safe."

He can't afford to be fearless when facing Holyfield, yet this time he knows what to expect.

"Evander has a style that allows him to do a lot of damage, if you let him," Lewis said. "He doesn't knock you out with one punch; it takes 15.

"But he's a small heavyweight and a built-up heavyweight as well, so it's going to be tough for him to beat a big heavyweight like me."

At 6-foot-5, 242 pounds and with an 84-inch reach, Lewis has an almost commanding physical advantage on the 6-foot-2, 217 pound, 78-inch reach Holyfield. But these are advantages Lewis has held over the majority of his opponents, and, to some extent, they are the same disadvantages the 37-year-old Holyfield has faced and conquered in twice rising to the heavyweight championship and building a professional record of 36-3-1 with 25 KOs.

Holyfield currently holds the International Boxing Federation and World Boxing Association titles.

"Lennox has to be more aggressive," said his trainer, Emanuel Steward. "He doesn't need to change his style, just his intensity. In terms of public perception, he's paid a big price for being too laid back."

In a fight that features a pair of men espousing their determination, Lewis has caught the favor of the bettors even if he has never been truly imposing. He's a minus 190 in most Las Vegas sports books, with Holyfield a plus 160.

"I'm still on a mission," Lewis said. "I think it'll be a good, quick fight. I think the first round will have a lot of fireworks because I'm going to go after him and see what he's got.

"I may not knock him out in the first round but I'm going to build up to it. I'm going to try and give the people what they want." HOLYFIELD VS. LEWIS II