NEW EXPERIENCE: Lewis is a stranger to the really big event,
but not so Holyfield; could nerves affect the WBC champ in
the unification clash?
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Lewis TKO6 Gary Mason, 6 March 1991, London:
"This fight showed that the big occasion wouldn't get to Lennox. It was only his
15th fight and it was the first time that Wembley Arena had been sold out in I don't
know how many years. And it was a very pro Mason crowd. Although he was only a young
fighter at that stage, Lennox showed he could listen to his corner and follow a
gameplan."
Holyfield TKO7 Smokin' Bert Cooper, 23 November 1991, Atlanta:
"Cooper hadbeen called in at the last minute, a third-choice substitute, but he
nearly knocked Holyfield out. If it wasn't for favourable refereeing and the ropes,
Holyfield's championship reign would have been over."
Lewis KO2 Razor Ruddock, 31 October 1992, London:
"When everyone was writing him off, with not one paper tipping him
[Editor's Note: BM's preview had Lewis to win on points, actually Frank]
in a fight against a guy who was supposed to be one of the hardest punchers in the
heavyweight division, Lennox showed no fear of Ruddock's power or reputation.
In this fight Lennox showed his single-mindedness, he showed that he can't be
fazed."
Riddick Bowe W12 Holyfield, 13 November 1992, Las Vegas:
"This one proved, with Bowe at his best, that a good little guy can never beat
a good big guy if the big guy's on form on the night. Bowe beat him to the jab,
outworked him on the inside, and was too strong for him."
Lewis TKO7 Frank Bruno, 1 October 1993:
"People see negatives in this fight, but to me it didn't prove anything
other than that when as the favourite, with the script not going to plan, Lennox can
turn the tide of a fight with one punch. Everyone talks about Lennox's right hand,
but he also has one of the sweetest left hooks in the division - ask Bruno."
Michael Moorer W12 Holyfield, 22 April 1994, Las Vegas:
"Holyfield seemed to lose interest in this fight, and his corner at the time - led
by Don Turner, with no Tommy Brooks - didn't know how to deal with the cut. When a
cornerman tells you: ‘Don't worry, you've got God on your side,'
you've got a problem. Lewis-Holyfield could be won in the corners. We've got a
man - Emanuel Steward - who knows Holyfield inside out, and that gives us a tremendous
head start. And don't forget, Don Turner was in the corner when Henry Akinwande lost
to Lennox."
Lewis KO8 Phil Jackson, 6 May 1994, Atlantic City:
"This one proved Lennox has patience and I still view it as one of the best wins
of his career. He showed he could dictate a fight with the jab and then produce the
finishing punch that was necessary, taking him out in his own time."
Riddick Bowe TKO8 Holyfield, 4 November 1995, Las Vegas:
"When Holyfield had Bowe in trouble, after he'd dropped him with that hook at
the end of round five, he wasn't able to capitalise. Bowe was out on his feet and
at that time Bowe was well beyond his best, but Holyfield couldn't take him out."
Lewis W10 Ray Mercer, 10 May 1996, New York:
"This win answered any questions that any journalists, or anyone else for that matter,
had about Lennox's heart. We'd heard doubts expressed about Lennox's desire
and commitment to sport, but that fight answered all those questions."
Lewis W12 Zeljko Mavrovic, 26 September 1998, Uncasville:
"People like to question Lennox's stamina, but I've been with him since 1989
and he's always fought with his mouth open - that's the way he breathes. People
forget how hot it was in that tent in Connecticut. It was over 90 degrees, with the TV lights
and everything. And I didn't exactly notice Mavrovic putting pressure on. Stamina
problems? What stamina problems?"
