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Fight preview
Posted: Friday November 12, 1999 12:48 PM CNN/SI's Evan Kanew analyzes Saturday's heavyweight unification fight between Lennox Lewis and Evander Holyfield.
Matchup to watch, Part 2: Holyfield vs. referee Mitch Halpern. Holyfield likes to use his head -- literally and figuratively. Lewis even charged last week that Holyfield practices head-butting with a target drawn on a heavy bag. Halpern is a well-regarded, experienced referee. Buzzwords: Work Rate. In the first fight, Lewis out-punched Holyfield by a ratio of three-to-one. At his training camp in Houston, Holyfield focused on throwing punches in bunches. On Saturday night, his corner wants him to outwork Lewis. They Said It, Part 1: Emanuel Steward, Lewis' trainer: "I think the style and the physical strength of Lennox Lewis is -- and would have always been -- a problem for Evander Holyfield." They Said It, Part 2: Kenny Weldon, Holyfield's assistant trainer: "Lennox Lewis is not going to get fast feet overnight." Second time around: Holyfield is 3-0 in career rematches, although he did lose his third fight against Riddick Bowe. Lewis has only fought one rematch as a pro, beating Oliver McCall after the Atomic Bull's nervous breakdown in 1997. Lewis wins if: He stays out of early trouble, keeps his distance and makes it a boxing match. Also, if Holyfield takes too many chances, Lewis may catch him coming in with a big right and Holyfield's night could end prematurely. Holyfield wins if: It's a firefight. Lewis' ability to take a punch has
been inconsistent. Remember, Lewis' chin was nearly shattered by Shannon Briggs
in March
1998.
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