Preview of Lennox Lewis-Frans Botha Bout

L O N D O N, July 15, 2000 -- — Lennox Lewis can be as cautious picking hisopponents as he is in fighting them. It’s a combination that so farhas kept him from being acclaimed as one of the best heavyweightsof his time.

That’s not likely to change tonight when Lewis defendshis WBC and IBF heavyweight titles against Francois Botha at theLondon Arena. But trainer Emanuel Steward believes Lewis could earnhis place among heavyweight greats if he can cap his career with afew great fights.

“Lennox has not done enough to earn himself a place with theall-time greats,” Steward candidly said. “If he decides to fightfor the next two years and is continually impressive, then Ibelieve he would be considered as one of the great heavyweights.But he has not earned that right yet.”

Steward, like many in boxing, would like Lewis to step up withsome impressive performances in big fights to mark his spot in thesport.

Safe Fighting Style

But at the age of 34, Lewis has shown consistently throughouthis career that he wants to win without taking chances, either inpicking an opponent or in the ring itself.

After demolishing Michael Grant to defend his titles on April 30,Lewis chose Botha, a fringe contender, for his first title fight inEngland since losing the WBC title on a knockout by Oliver McCallin 1994.

Lewis is a heavy favorite to retain his two portions of thetitle, but beating Botha will do little to get Lewis the respect hecraves. That may come only after he meets David Tua later this yearor possibly Mike Tyson in the future.

Future Bout With Tyson?

“I can’t wait for this fight to be over with so I can reallyanswer some good questions about Tyson,” Lewis said. “He needs to stop talking about my kids, how he wants to eat me, and let’s stepinto the ring.”

Whether Lewis and Tyson ever meet in the ring is as questionableas ever. Lewis has a mandatory IBF title defense against Tua laterthis year, and the two heavyweights fight under contract forcompeting American networks.

Lewis will, at least, fight a man who fought Tyson when he meetsBotha. The fight will be televised by HBO on a delayed basis (9p.m. ET).

“It is kind of distancing in a way because I’m concentrating onBotha, but most of my questions are about Tyson,” Lewis said.“This is my focus now. First Botha, and then we will find out ifMike Tyson is serious in what he is saying.”

Botha Ready to Fight

Lewis, coming off a second-round knockout of Grant that cost himthe undisputed title because he wasn’t fighting the top-rankedcontender, gets another fringe heavyweight in his defense againstBotha.

The South African, who now holds U.S. citizenship and is abusinessman in Las Vegas, is best known for his January 1999performance against Tyson. Botha dominated the former championbefore a crashing right hand suddenly ended his night in the fifthround.

“I’m not here to lie down,” said Botha, who is ranked ninth by the WBC, but unranked by the IBF. “I know that is what they’re thinking, but that’s not what I’m going to do. I’m here to take the titles away.”

Disinterested Fans

Lewis (36-1-1, 28 knockouts) is both heavy and a heavy favoriteto retain his titles. He weighed in Thursday at 250 pounds, threepounds more than when he stopped Grant on April 29. Botha weighedin at 236 and seven-eighths.

Lewis has said this will be his last title fight in England,which seems all right to British fans. They have greeted this fightwith yawns and less than impressive sales for tickets priced from$125 to $1,250.

That might be because Lewis, though born in England, fought inthe Olympics for Canada and spends much of his time in Jamaica. Hisenigmatic personality has never caught on here, and he has troubleselling tickets wherever he goes.

Botha, who showed against Tyson that he won’t be intimidated,doesn’t exactly see it that way.

“If I don’t knock him out, it’s going to be a terriblebeating,” Botha said. “I know I’m the sacrificial lamb. But I don’t have any problems fighting in London, in his hometown. I’m used to being the underdog.”

In an odd sidelight to the fight, the referee will be LarryO’Connell, the British judge who scored the first fight betweenLewis and Holyfield; a draw in a fight most thought Lewis won lastyear in New York.