Michael Grants Lewis `best' title

Michael Grants Lewis `best' title

New York, April 30: Undisputed world heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis flattened the notion he lacked a champion's heart and knock-out power by pummeling previously unbeaten challenger Michael Grant into submission.

``There has always been a question about my heart. Lewis has a great big heart.''

Lewis rose to 36-1 with one drawn after his 28th knock-out. He used several devastating uppercuts to flatten Grant, overhead hooks to break out of clinches and took advantage of Grant's inexperience to set him up for hard punches.

``I'm very satisfied,'' said Emanuel Steward, Lewis' trainer. ``He did what I always knew he could do. I think Lennox likes the adulation that goes with the knock-out. I can see him fighting at this level for another three, four years.''

After two tedious tactical fights with Evander Holyfield and a lackluster 12-round triumph by decision in his past three outings, Lewis was anxious to prove he could be an exciting fighter. Mission accomplished.

``Michael Grant was the perfect showcase for my talent,'' Lewis said. ``This was an opportunity to show my aggressive side. I felt if I had the opportunity to land a good shot, not many people can withstand my power.''

``I realised if I kept punching, he was going to be hurting. All I had to do was keep hitting him. If he dared get up against me, I would just hit him more and more. It was just going to be harder and harder for him.''

A high hook to Grant's head produced the first knock down. Uppercuts produced two more. By the time a solid right to the chin sent Grant down for the final time, he realised Lewis had lured him into traps.

``Lennox showed me openings. I wanted to take advantage of them and knock his head off,'' Grant said. ``He knew I would open up and he would be able to take a step back and take advantage.

``I took the wrong mentality into it. I should have used more of my speed and not take it as a grudge match from the door. I was just too anxious. He was swinging wide left hands because he knew I would come at him. He's a smart fighter. He dropped his hands and said, `Take my head off.' I tried and he got me. I just got caught. Lennox is champion for a reason. He's the best.''

Both Lewis and Steward blamed the struggles against Holyfield on the former champion trying to avoid being on the receiving end of Lewis' right hand. In some ways, beating Holyfield's friend and former sparring partner proved more of a career-defining triumph than the victory last November over Holyfield that ended his 12-year quest to become unified heavyweight champion.

``The two fights with Evander were just one step, one step to greatness,'' Lewis said. ``I like to compare myself to fine wine. I get better with age.''