Holyfield-Lewis Rematch: Will It Be Real Deal?

Evander Holyfield and Lennox Lewis, who fought to a controversial draw for the undisputed heavyweight championship, must fight a rematch within six months.

The presidents of the IBF, WBA and WBC ordered the action Sunday following a bout many thought Lewis had won.

“I am in disbelief,” said Lewis after the 12-round match ended late Saturday night in Madison Square Garden.

Bob Lee of the International Boxing Federation, Jose Sulaiman of the World Boxing Council and Gilberto Mendoza of the World Boxing Assn. met after the fight.

“It’s a shame there was so much controversy attached to this important fight,” the IBF’s Lee said. ‘But we did what we thought was the most sensible thing by ordering a rematch in six months.”

Holyfield holds the IBF and WBA titles. Lewis is WBC champion.

IBF judge Jean Williams of Atlantic City, N.J., voted 115-113 for Holyfield. WBA judge Stanley Christodoulou of South Africa had it 116-113 for Lewis. WBC judge Larry O’Connell of Britain called the fight even at 115-115.

The AP scored it for Lewis at 116-111.

“I don’t care who the winner was. . . . I scored by the blows that connected,” said Williams, who thought Holyfield won even though he landed 228 fewer punches, according to CompuBox Inc.

Outraged by the decision was Emanuel Steward, Lewis’ trainer who once trained Holyfield for two fights.

“It looks like the judges were rigged . . . almost ,” Steward said.

Gov. George Pataki wants the New York State Athletic Commission to look into the draw. He said his administration worked hard to bring boxing back to the Garden, “but it has to be done in a way that upholds the integrity of the game.”

Promoter Don King and both fighters talked about a rematch even before it was ordered.

However, before a rematch can take place both sides must agree on TV and promotional contracts.

There may not be a big public demand for a second bout. This fight lacked drama, especially the second half when Lewis got cautious, and 36-year-old Holyfield started showing his age. The decision was roundly booed by many in the sellout crowd of 21,284.

“This was a situation where politics was involved,” Lewis said. “When you’ve got a fight of this magnitude--I’m not saying Don King had anything to do with it, but this is one of his shows. I am in America.”

Lewis landed 348 of 613 punches to 130 of 385 for Holyfield, and in each of six rounds, Holyfield landed fewer than 10 punches, according to CompuBox, Inc.