Why Lewis will win
April 20 2001 at 06:25PM
by Gordon Prentice
Had I been one of the high-rolling punters who frequent Carnival City, I would not spend my money on the roulette wheels or the "Black Jack" tables.
Nor would I spend the proverbial dime on the slot machines.
Instead, I would take my money and put it on Lennox Lewis retaining the heavyweight championship of the world.
I would like to see challenger Hasim Rahman win - just as I wanted to see George Foreman whip the pants off Michael Moorer on November 5, 1994, and he did - but I don't think it can happen.
Let me tell you why. Lewis is too big and too strong for the American. His jab, I believe, will be the biggest factor in this fight. He will use it as both an offensive and defensive weapon.
Lewis will use it to keep Rahman at bay in a defensive mode. And as a launch pad to set up his attack ... and with it that massive right hand that I believe will be the punch which will end the fight.
I suspect Rahman could take the opening few rounds. He's keen enough and confident enough but unless he produces a miracle, he will return to Baltimore, Maryland, with $2-million in his back pocket while I return home to watch "Homicide - Life on the Street" (a series about Baltimore murder detectives).
For Rahman to win, he has to get on the inside of Lewis - and that means getting past the champion's jab. If he can - and Fort Knox might be robbed at the same time - then, perhaps, he can deliver the punches that will dethrone the heavyweight champion of the world.
Rahman will have to get in early if it is going to happen. Lewis has learnt from his failings against Oliver McCall (his only defeat as a professional).
A high-roller I am not. I am the "nickel and dime" sort of gambler ... and an infrequent one at that. I might wager on the horses (living and working in Durban, it could only be the July). Still, I might spend this year's July bets on Lewis retaining the championship. But only if the odds are good enough. |
