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Lewis backs Sanders
22/04/2004 08:30 - (SA)
Los Angeles - Lennox Lewis said on Wednesday he is surprised to see Vitali, and not his younger brother Wladimir, carrying the Klitschko family honour in the heavyweight division.
"I always thought Wladimir was the better of the two because of the way he moved in the ring. But, evidently I was wrong," said Lewis, who is in Los Angeles for Saturday's fight for the World Boxing Council title which was vacated when Lewis retired two months ago.
Lewis' change of heart comes after Wladimir's second consecutive shocking defeat earlier this month when he was beaten by journeyman Lamon Brewster.
That loss followed another stunning second round knockout a year ago to Corrie Sanders, who is Vitali's main-event opponent at the Staples Centre arena on Saturday.
While Wladimir has been left to ponder his boxing future, Vitali tries to avenge the Sanders' defeat as he takes his impressive 33-2 record into the ring against the left-handed South African.
"Now (Vitali) has to prove himself each time he fights, and that is what happens when you are at the top," said Lewis, who is helping promote the Los Angeles fight as well as working as an adviser to Sanders.
"Two great boxers are going to fight for my belt and then it won't be mine anymore. But I am holding onto it for now," Lewis said.
Lewis is backing Sanders to beat Vitali, who Lewis defeated in a controversial decision 10 months ago at the same venue. Vitali was leading on all three judges scorecards when the fight was stopped on cuts.
'A lot of pressure'
"There is a lot of pressure on him (Vitali)," Lewis said. "He has to live up to the family name after what happened to his brother."
Lewis reiterated that he is happy being on the other side of the ropes and has no plans to come out of retirement.
"This is great being at the podium and not having to fight in a few days," Lewis said at Wednesday's pre-fight news conference.
"I have been there and done that. At this point I can say I am not coming back. I am done."
Lewis has been giving Sanders tips on how to penetrate Klitschko's defence.
"Boxing is the survival of the fittest. You have to be able to deal with cuts, getting hit on the chin and the outside pressures," Lewis said.
Lewis feels the cuts suffered by Vitali in their fight could come back to haunt the senior Klitschko.
"Once you have been cut really bad in boxing and you have had three or four cuts in the same area, it can happen again," Lewis said.
- AFP
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