Lewis Wins Every Round Before Stopping Jackson With a TKO : Pro Boxing: WBC champion’s size advantage too much for challenger after three knockdowns.

The Chicago Bull coach might have done better against Lennox Lewis on Friday night than this Phil Jackson.

At least the NBA coach has the height to deal with the World Boxing Council heavyweight champion.

Lewis completely outclassed Jackson, stopping him at 1:35 of the eighth round and easily retaining his share of the heavyweight championship. Using his five-inch height edge and seven-inch reach advantage, Lewis won every round on all three judges’ cards.

“I feel like a lot of avid boxing fans realize my true talents,” said Lewis, who has complained he doesn’t get the respect other heavyweights receive. “I went out and won and looked good tonight.”

That wasn’t difficult against this opponent.

“It looks easy on the tape,” Jackson said. “But when you’re standing there looking up at a giant, it’s different.”

It was impossible for the six-foot Jackson, whose “Man on a Mission” theme was flawed from the start. He simply isn’t on the 6-foot-5 Lewis’ level, in height or stature.

“I don’t mind fighting shorter opponents, because they’re going to find it hard to hit me because they have to reach up to hit me. With my reach advantage, it gives them a difficult time.

“There’s a lot more to Lennox Lewis,” said the 28-year-old champion from England, “and a lot more the people haven’t seen yet. As soon as a I get up against a good opponent, you’ll see.”

Lewis’ victory sets up a possible unification bout with Michael Moorer, who beat Evander Holyfield last month for the World Boxing Assn. and International Boxing Federation portions of the title.

“I don’t think Michael Moorer is going to get the respect of the world until he fights Lennox Lewis,” Lewis said/

Moorer, seated at ringside, has shown little inclination to unify the title, but Lewis probably didn’t scare him on Friday night.

Lewis landed 247 punches; Jackson got in 64. Of the 310 jabs thrown by Lewis, 158 landed.

Lewis had won every round when he knocked down Jackson for the third time midway through the eighth. A sharp right followed by a left uppercut did the damage and referee Arthur Mercante stopped the bout.

Lewis also knocked down Jackson 20 seconds into the fight and again in a wild fifth round. That round ended with Jackson on the canvas, knocked down after the bell. Mercante deducted a point from Lewis for hitting after the bell.

“I didn’t ever hear the bell,” Lewis said. “Something clicked and I decided to get off my combination.”

Lewis, who earned $4 million, scored his 25th straight victory and 21st knockout. It was the third defense of the WBC belt he acquired when then-undisputed champion Riddick Bowe dumped it in a garbage can two years ago.

Jackson earned $500,000 while falling to 30-2.