Evander has superb record in rematches

Dean Juipe

Thursday, Oct. 28, 1999 | 12:07 p.m.

There is some historical evidence in the belief that Evander Holyfield is an even more formidable opponent in a rematch.

After losing to Riddick Bowe in 1992, he bounced back to win the rematch a year later. And after losing to Michael Moorer in 1994, he turned the tables and won that rematch in 1997.

Now Holyfield is preparing to face Lennox Lewis for a second time, as they'll meet in a heavyweight unification title fight Nov. 13 at the Thomas & Mack Center. When they initially fought, March 13 in New York, most ringside observers and boxing fans felt Holyfield was fortunate to get a draw with the World Boxing Council champion.

Speaking this week on a conference call from his training base in Houston, the World Boxing Association and International Boxing Federation champ said there's a reason he has done so well in rematch situations.

"You can get better by thinking of all the things you can do to be better," he said. "I watch the tapes and I'm very critical of myself. No excuses. You can say you weren't feeling good (the night of the fight), but you have to realize he was jabbing you and he had something to do with all the things that happened."

Holyfield said he didn't feel well in New York and it was one of the factors that contributed to the draw. But there were others.

"I initially told people I was going to get him out in the third round," he said of a third-round knockout prediction that he said was inspired by no less a boxing fan than God. "Then it came to the third round and I didn't get him out and I said 'Shoot, I still have nine rounds to go' and I didn't want to do it."

He's looking to give a better effort this time around, while expecting Lewis to reprise his earlier role.

"It's hard to think Lennox will do something different," Holyfield said. "He does what he wants to do in the ring. I can't see him changing from the performance he gave the first time.

"The only thing I can see that's different is that I know more about Lennox. I have to be patient and have a game plan that's a little more precise. I have to mix up my punches. I have to throw from different angles and I have to be busy inside.

"I can't underestimate him. His confidence is greater now. I know I have to fight a guy who may be better than he was before, but I'm ready for it."

Holyfield credits Lewis with controlling the majority of their first fight.

"He's a very patient guy," Holyfield said. "He might not look like he's doing a lot, but he stands there and taunts you. He was able to do a lot of different things, like holding when he needed to, that other fighters haven't been able to do against me.

"I came out to fight a smart fight against him, but with me feeling sorry for myself I got frustrated at times and all of a sudden I'm fighting a sloppy match.

"So if I minimize my mistakes (Nov. 13), I can win."

Nonetheless, Holyfield is the underdog in most Las Vegas sports books. The most common current number has him at a plus 150, with Lewis a minus 180.

Holyfield, 37, is 36-3-1 with 25 knockouts, while Lewis, 34, is 34-1-1 with 27 KOs.

"It's important for me to do my best, each and every time out," Holyfield said. "I go into the ring realistic. I want to win so bad that I'll do whatever's necessary, within reason. We're all tested at times. I just gear myself that I'm not going to quit, because nothing that could ever happen is more than I can handle.

"I want to fight a good, tactical fight, a fight that may lead to me getting a knockout."

As for Lewis' complaint that Holyfield not only intentionally head butts an opponent but that he practices the maneuver, Holyfield laughed.

"I would never head butt a person on purpose and take a chance on hurting myself," he said. "I'm not tall enough to head butt Lennox. If he thinks there's a problem he should tell the referee.

"Besides, he does something more outrageous when he puts his cup all the way up to his chest."

Holyfield is training twice daily, including an evening session that has turned him into a "night owl." He obviously respects Lewis but has yet to be completely sold on the Englishman's credentials.

"I understand that I made mistakes when we first fought and I try not to get down on myself," he said. "He was able to do a decent job the first time but he's got to prove he can do it again."

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