Sporting Chance

Lennox Lewis is the world's undisputed heavyweight boxing champion. Lightheavyweight Roy Jones, Jr. is the only other titleholder to claim global recognition in the fight game whose prominence is diluted by the proliferation of so-called alphabet soup sanctioning bodies.

Lewis claims he's the best there is. Officials of the World Boxing Council (WBC), World Boxing Association (WBA), and International Boxing Federation (IBF) agree because Lewis happens to sit on their thrones.

But somehow, Lewis doesn't enjoy the respect that predecessor Evander Holyfield once did. Or even the respect that Jones has gained in pulverizing every 175-pounder who dares to cross his path. If there's one thing keeping Lewis in the ring, it's his hunger for respect. And respect is what he hopes to earn in facing Michael Grant at Madison Square Garden this morning (Manila time).

Both Lewis and Grant are coming off close calls. So they're eager to prove their worth. For Lewis, it's his first defense of the unified championship. He's not likely to take too many chances against Grant - there's just too much at stake. Nobody wants to lose the title in his first defense, particularly if it's a unified title. For Grant, it's a chance of a lifetime to show he's more than just a big slab of beef.

Last November, Lewis outpointed Holyfield for the unified crown in Las Vegas. I thought Holyfield won. I figured the judges owed a favor to Lewis who was robbed of a decision in the Holyfield draw eight months earlier. For sure, it wasn't a convincing triumph for the 1988 Seoul Olympic gold medalist who is a Jamaican born in England and raised in Canada.

That same month in Atlantic City, Grant survived two trips to the canvas in the first round and trailed in the three judges scorecards when the Polish roughhouser Andrew Golota quit in the 10th. It was a do-or-die scenario for Grant who floored Golota as the fight drew to a close. The Pole got up then walked back to his corner after referee Randy Neumann asked twice if he'd like to continue. Golota could've held on to win on points - he led, 86-81, 85-83, and 87-80 but showed lack of heart in surrendering under fire.

Grant, 27, was outboxed by Golota most of the way and that's probably why he was picked by Lewis to be his next challenger. Lewis is an excellent long-range boxer who uses his left jab and 84-inch reach to good advantage. If the awkward Golota could pile up points poking Grant from a distance, imagine what the stylish Lewis can do.

Lewis, 34, has the ability to stifle Grant's attack. He's got shifty lateral footwork and the handspeed to keep Grant on the defensive. If Lewis doesn't get careless, he should breeze to a win on points.

Grant's only hope is to score a knockout and that's not a far-fetched proposition. Grant is huge - at 6-7, he's two inches taller than Lewis. He's got the body width to smother Lewis and cut off the ring to put him in a tight spot. If Grant lands a big shot, Lewis could go down - remember he's not unbeatable. Oliver McCall took only two rounds to expose Lewis' vulnerability in 1994.

Lewis shouldn't take Grant lightly. Sure, Grant had only 12 amateur fights before turning pro and was more interested in football, basketball, and baseball in his teens. But you never underestimate a heavyweight with a big punch. Grant, after all, has knocked out 22 opponents in carving out an unblemished 31-0 record.

There is talk that Lewis is looking beyond Grant. He's rumored to be conjuring visions of a megabuck showdown with Mike Tyson or another Holyfield duel. If Lewis' focus isn't on Grant when they square off, he might just blow it.

If the fight goes the full route, Lewis should win because he's the more skillful boxer. If it ends inside the distance, Grant might just become the new undisputed world heavyweight champion.