Excitement expected in Lewis- Grant showdown

NEW YORK, APRIL 28. World heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis, Britain's first undisputed ruler of boxing's big men in more than a century, wants to prove he can dispatch pretenders to the throne impressively.

Unbeaten American challenger Michael Grant, who more than matches Lewis' massive size, sees aggressive punching fury as the way to dethrone the king in Saturday's showdown here at Madison Square Garden.

The result should mean excitement from the opening bell rather than another tedious tactical title fight such as Lewis and Evander Holyfield staged twice in 1999, the re-match completing the Briton's 12-year quest for a unified crown.

``You have to jump on him. Punches are going to rain over him,'' Grant said. ``I have the size to catch up with him. It's going to be tough to get out of my way. He's going to have to commit and fight. My advantage is I'm faster.''

Lewis, seven years older than Grant at 34, has a rare reach disadvantage but far more experience in world title bouts, solid counter-punching skills, a strong jab and a powerful right hand.

``I hope he comes at me. It will make the fight shorter,'' Lewis said. ``Michael Grant has never seen a boxer like me.

``It's going to be a shock for him. It's going to be a real action fight.''

Lewis, 35-1 with one draw and 27 knockouts, has rarely faced a rival who will attack from the start. Shannon Briggs staggered Lewis in the first round of their 1998 fight, but failed to finish him and was stopped in round five.

Lewis might have a foe in Grant who can handle an active pace into the late rounds, presenting a challenge that trainer Emanuel Steward hopes will bring out the best in the champion.

``Is Lennox Lewis a warrior? I want that question answered too,'' Steward said. ``I don't think the fights with Evander solidified him as a strong heavyweight. I know the talent is there. I believe this is the fight where it is going to come out.''

Grant, 31-0 with 22 knockouts, said the champion's best days are behind him and predicts a 10th-round knockout, expecting to grow stronger in late rounds while looking for Lewis to tire.

``It's my job to impose my will on him,'' Grant said. ``He tends to slow up in the later rounds, get lackadaisical. I'm going to expose him. I'm going to make this guy fight. If he comes in firing, I will be ready for him. I feel like my time has come.''

Lewis has gone 12 rounds in his past three fights and five times overall, winning four decisions and settling for a controversial draw here last year against Holyfield on dubious judging of a fight most viewers thought he won.

This will be Lewis' 13th world title fight and Grant's first. Lewis has won his past 11 fights since a loss to Oliver McCall in September of 1994 - two months after Grant made his pro debut at the age of 21.

Lewis will make $10 million and Grant $4 million. They will fight for World Boxing Council and International Boxing Federation titles. A judge's ruling stripped Lewis of the now- vacant World Boxing Association crown.

Don Turner, Grant's trainer, guided Holyfield and Henry Akinwande in title losses to Lewis. But he likes Grant's chances better.

``He brings more size,'' Turner said. ``Lewis hasn't fought anybody that looks him right in the eye and punches like him.

Michael is just as big and he's younger. Michael has to crowd him and make it an inside fight to beat him. He doesn't have to (set the pace), but it's easier if he does.''

Grant was knocked down twice in the first round by Andrew Golota last November but rallied to stop the Polish fighter in the 10th round of his most recent fight. Even though Lewis dispatched Golota in one round in 1997, the lesson was not lost on Steward.

``Grant has showed in all his fights unbelievable stamina,'' Steward said. ``In most of his fights he was getting stronger at the end. He has great punching power late in the fight. He is dangerous all the way down the line. He is coming in confident and has the physical strength to make it an interesting fight. But I think Lennox is going to be a little too much.''

- AFP

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Section  : Sport
Previous : Stevens takes early lead over Swail
Next     : Exciting finish on cards