Tuesday, December 02, 2003
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

Klitschko eyes Lewis rematch

But first, he must beat Johnson on Saturday

By KEVIN IOLE
REVIEW-JOURNAL

Lennox Lewis will be on the minds of both Vitali Klitschko and Kirk Johnson on Saturday when the latter two square off in an important heavyweight bout at Madison Square Garden in New York.

But Klitschko says prospective plans for a rematch against Lewis are just empty words unless he defeats Johnson.

"Everything depends on this fight," Klitschko said Monday in a conference call for Saturday's HBO-televised bout.

Klitschko's handlers are billing him as "The People's Champion" based on his June 21 fight with Lewis in Los Angeles. In a surprisingly good showing, Klitschko was ahead on the scorecards when the bout was stopped after the sixth round because of severe cuts around his left eye.

Lewis was awarded a technical knockout, but it was unconvincing and immediately prompted cries for a rematch. HBO had set aside Saturday for a rematch, but when Lewis hedged on whether he wants to continue boxing, it matched Klitschko and Johnson.

Lewis remains mum about his future. He was even noncommittal to Klitschko this year when Lewis and his mother, Violet Blake, met with Klitschko in London. But Klitschko came away with a gut feeling.

"I read in her eyes that his mom doesn't want to see him in the ring again," Klitschko said.

Saturday's winner will become the mandatory contender for Lewis' WBC championship. If Lewis retires, the winner would be guaranteed a chance to box the No. 2 contender for the vacant title.

The significance of the bout isn't lost on Johnson's promoter, Dino Duva, whose fledgling company would be greatly aided by a Johnson victory. Duva hoped for a similar boost last year when Johnson fought then-WBA champion John Ruiz at Mandalay Bay, but Johnson handled the pressure poorly and was disqualified for low blows.

"There is no question in my mind that Kirk Johnson is a better and more talented fighter than he showed against Ruiz," Duva said. "He had a mental breakdown. He blew it. I don't think he should have been disqualified, but there's no question he didn't perform up to his ability. He didn't do what he was supposed to do.

"He fully understands the importance of this bout. He had the ability to beat Lennox Lewis, but he got hurt. That was the second strike against him, and he knows three strikes and you're out. Not a lot of guys get this many opportunities. Kirk knows what he needs to do."

Johnson had been slated to fight Lewis on June 21, but had to pull out because of a torn pectoral muscle. Klitschko was elevated from the undercard and gave a rousing performance that drew stellar ratings on HBO.

Though Klitschko said his goal is a bout with Lewis, he insists he's not looking past Johnson. He praised Johnson's ability and says fighting a lesser opponent would have done him no good.

"There is no guarantee Lennox Lewis will be fighting against me again," said Klitschko, who said the cuts around his eyes have healed so well that the scars are barely visible.

"To fight versus a no-name would be a step backwards. Kirk Johnson is a guy who brings a lot of experience and is a very strong fighter. Many experts say this is a 50/50 fight. No one can say who will be the winner."