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'I will win this fight' CNN/SI goes one-on-one with the 'Real Deal'
Posted: Friday January 21, 2000 11:10 AM
They fought a controversial draw in Madison Square Garden on March 13, and now eight months later to the day, they meet again. Evander Holyfield and Lennox Lewis set to unify the heavyweight division Saturday night at the Thomas and Mack center in Las Vegas. CNN/SI's Johnny Phelps went one-on-one with Holyfield and talked about the upcoming bout. Johnny Phelps : Evander, how much have you studied of that first fight and what have you learned that might help you this time? Evander Holyfield : I've watched the fight numerous times. I made some mistakes and always figured that if you can correct your own mistakes your chances of doing better are great. Phelps : How disappointed were you that you didn't get that knockout in Round 3 when it appeared that you were close to getting it done? Holyfield : I was disappointed enough to think about walking out of the ring. But I thank God for giving me the encouragement not to get out of the ring because sometimes we want to quit when things don't turn out our way. I'm thankful that I was able to think about what the word of God says. He never gives you more than you can handle. So I went through this fight and I made it through. Phelps : Your record in return bouts is phenomenal [3-0]. Why are you so good the second time around with the same fighter?
Holyfield : I've always been to face the fact that a guy out-jabbed me, a guy moved this [way] or I didn't do enough of this. And so when you can be able to admit to your mistakes, then that's a big part of changing. And anytime one is changing, than one is getting better. And so I'm willing to pay the price that's necessary to make the change and be the very best that I can be. Phelps : As a result of that, are you better prepared for the Lewis left jab this time? Holyfield : Well, I'm prepared for anything that Lennox may do or may think to do or already done. I'm prepared to be led by the Holy Spirit and there's no doubt in my mind that I will win this fight and I will win it very handily and no one has to worry about any confrontations. The best guy won. Phelps : Evander, there's a perception that Lewis is the favorite and you are the underdog this time. And that would be the opposite from the first fight. Who's going to benefit from that perception? Holyfield : I don't know. One thing I can say, I've never been an underdog in my life regardless of what people say who's the best. I'm where I am at because God has given me the strength to be the man that I am. I am going to continue to grow. I'm going to continue to get better. And if one doesn't believe it, then click on the pay-per-view and go ahead and get it. Because you know what? I'm the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world whether they like it or not. Phelps : Evander, thanks very much. Good luck Saturday night. Holyfield : Thank you.
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