Boxing: Lewis scales the heights

LENNOX LEWIS weighed in yesterday at 246lb, some 31lb more than Evander Holyfield for their heavyweight unification fight at Madison Square Garden tomorrow.

Asked for his reaction to Lewis's weight, Holyfield, said: "I'm pleased. I never worry about what the other guy weighs. I only worry about what I weigh." Lewis was unavailable for questions from print reporters after the weigh-in. His manager, Frank Maloney, said Holyfield at 215lb was too light to face Lewis. "He'll destroy him," he said.

Holyfield, at 208lb, weighed 49lb less than George Foreman when they fought in 1991. He weighed 215lb when he pulled off one of the biggest upsets in boxing history by knocking out Mike Tyson in the 11th round of their first fight in November 1996.

Holyfield's conditioning trainer, Tim Hallmark, said he was pleased with his man's weight because he did not want large fluctuations in weight from training camp to the day of the fight. He said Lewis's weight can change as much as 6lb a day and that he hadn't eaten lunch yet.

Two weeks ago, Lewis said he weighed 260lb, but yesterday his trainer, Emanuel Steward, said his fighter was "just playing" with reporters. Maybe with Holyfield too.

The veteran trainer Lou Duva said the weight will not make the difference in Saturday's fight.