Boxing: Lewis rules boxing world

LAS VEGAS - Lennox Lewis became the first British-born undisputed heavyweight boxing champion of the century yesterday, using his size and power to dominate Evander Holyfield through 12 rounds to win a unanimous decision.

But once again controversy surrounded a Lewis-Holyfield fight.

While Lewis was announced as the undisputed champion, it was later revealed that he was not given Holyfield's International Boxing Federation belt in a dispute over the $US300,000 ($590,000) sanctioning fee. It was not immediately clear why the cheque was rejected.

The IBF, whose president, Bob Lee, was recently indicted for taking money to fix fighters' rankings, refused the cheque moments before the fight. So technically, the IBF title is vacant.

But in the eyes of just about everyone, Lewis is undisputed heavyweight champion, adding Holyfield's World Boxing Association crown to his World Boxing Council title.

The last heavyweight to hold all three belts was Riddick Bowe, who took them on points from Holyfield on November 13, 1992, seven years ago to the day.

Lewis used his three-inch (7.6cm) height and 25-pound (11.3kg) weight advantages throughout the bout, even leaning on Holyfield at times in a bid to wear him down.

Lewis, aged 34, began to find the range with his strong left jab early in the second round. He was still his cautious self through much of the fight but when pressed he countered very effectively and was generally far more aggressive in this rematch then he was in their first bout last March that was judged a draw to the outrage of most fans and boxing experts.

Judge Chuck Giampa scored the fight 116-112, Bill Graham had it 117-112 and Jerry Roth scored 115-113. All the judges were from Nevada.

"I couldn't let my fans down. I couldn't let myself down," Lewis said. "I went through some trials and tribulations in there with him."

Lewis was simply too big and too strong for the 37-year-old Holyfield.

There were no knockdowns. Lewis was cut by a head-butt in the fifth round, and time was called for the ringside doctor to examine the Briton.

"This was a little tougher than the first fight," Lewis said immediately after the bout fought in front of some 17,000 fans, including 6000 Britons who were waving the Union Jack and roaring for their man.

Immediately after the decision was announced a cannon shot went off and a blizzard of multi-coloured confetti fluttered from the rafters, as Lewis' manager, Frank Malone, dressed in a Union Jack suit, raised his hands high and cheered.

Holyfield's immediate reaction was to say: "I won. I won the thing."

But later he said: "Decisions are decisions. I was just fighting, the judges make the decisions."

The best round of the fight was the seventh, in which the two men slugged it out toe-to-toe and both boxers received a standing ovation at the end of the round.

Lewis was cautious at times, for which he has been criticised, even by his own corner.

But when pressed by Holyfield, he fought back strongly, using his height and weight advantage. Throughout the fight, Lewis landed the hardest blows.

"I realised that he wasn't doing nothing with me in the beginning," Lewis said. "At times I was playing with him because when I was jabbing him he was coming in with his head."

Holyfield said: "Of course I'm disappointed in the decision. But life is life. I hit him with some shots and I thought it would catch up with him. I do all that I can."

Lewis is now 35-1-1 and Holyfield dropped to 36-4-1. Both men were paid $US15 million ($29.5m).