Boxing: Lennox Lewis has grown into the role, says his manager

LAS VEGAS - It took a while, but Lennox Lewis has grown comfortably into his position as world heavyweight champion, says his manager Frank Maloney.

"I think it was the second victory over Evander Holyfield that did it," Maloney said of Lewis.

"It was after the positive response he got from the American people and from the British people when he went home.

"I see a different Lennox Lewis now. , I see a sharpness and a shine to his body. I've seen a confidence about him that wasn't there before. He's enjoying being the heavyweight champion of the world."

Maloney said that one of the signs that Lewis was comfortable in his spot as the generally recognised undisputed heavyweight champion was his decision to hold a public workout in New York City's Grand Central Station last week.

In the past, Lewis would not expose himself to the uncertainties of appearing in public, especially in New York, Maloney said.

"Everything had to be just right. But now, he's an ambassador to the sport," he said.



"First he conquered Europe, then Britain and the Commonwealth and then he went on to conquer the world."

Maloney's spin on Lewis' lone defeat, when Oliver McCall knocked him out in the second round in 1994, is that "an unbeaten record is not an advantage to you. It's a handicap."

Losing to McCall was part of growing up, said Maloney, who indicated that it took Lewis years to get over it. Now, though, the 35-year-old Lewis has put all the ghosts behind him.

"McCall was part of his development and learning."

Unlike much pre-fight talk before many other bouts, the Lewis and Tua camps mostly have been respectful of each other in the run-up to the bout at the Mandalay Bay hotel.

"Tua's earned his respect. He's earned his No 1 ranking. He's not a manufactured fighter," Maloney said, referring to Michael Grant, who Lewis easily knocked out in the second round in April.

Maloney said he thinks Tua loses concentration in the middle sections of a fight, but added that "of course, when you challenge for a world title fight you pick up your talent 30-40 per cent or you don't belong in the ring."

Maloney made a point of trying to push for a Lewis-Mike Tyson fight, which has been held up mostly because the fighters are under contract by competing pay-per-view broadcasters.

Conceding that there have not been any concrete discussions about arranging that encounter, Maloney said it was "a fight all of boxing wants. It would be a great chapter in Lennox's career. It would be the fulfilment of Lennox's destiny."

Maloney said he thought Lewis' idea for both cable television networks to broadcast the fight was a good one.

Maloney referred to Tyson's last fight, which was marred last month when Andrew Golota quit after the second round, foiling Tyson's hope for an impressive victory.

Tyson was also criticised for continuing to hit an opponent earlier this year after the referee ordered the bout stopped.

There was the ear biting of Evander Holyfield, and the Orlin Norris fight when Tyson knocked Norris down after the bell rang to end the first round.

- REUTERS

Herald Online feature: the Tua fight

The Herald Online is ringside for the countdown to David Tua's tilt at the world heavyweight boxing title. Reporter Peter Jessup and photographer Kenny Rodger bring you all the news, inside information and pictures, leading up to this Sunday afternoon's showdown in Las Vegas.