[0] TUA MEDIOCRE FOR LEWIS CHAMP TOO WILY FOR RAW CHALLENGER.

Byline: Michael Rosenthal Staff Writer

LAS VEGAS - Lennox Lewis was too good for David Tua here on Saturday. More important, he was too smart.

Lewis fought his fight against his powerful, but squat opponent, refusing to allow to Tua to get inside to land his potent punches. At the same time, the champion did plenty of damage himself to retain his heavyweight titles in what turned out to be a boring fight before 12,085 at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino.

The judges scored it 117-111, 119-109 and 118-110 but it could've been a shutout. The Daily News had it 119-109.

``The problem with David Tua tonight was Lennox Lewis,'' Lewis said. ``... He's never seen a boxer like me.''

Lewis, seven inches taller and with a 15-inch reach advantage, stuck out his left jab at the opening bell and didn't pull it in until the mismatch was over.

Tua, bobbing and weaving throughout, tried desperately to find a way to get through it but generally failed. He simply did not have the skill and speed to do so. And, on the occasions he got close, Lewis either held the challenger or moved quickly out of harm's way.

It wasn't the kind of performance that will win Lewis (38-1-1, with 29 knockouts) any fans, as sporadic boos from a crowd craving action would indicate. After all, he essentially won the fight with one punch - the jab - and a minimal number of hard rights that usually came at the end of quick flurries and never hurt the durable challenger.

However, perhaps he shouldn't be judged too harshly.

He fought the perfect tactical fight from start to finish and beat, with ridiculous ease, a truly fearsome fighter deemed his most legitimate possible challenger.

It got so bad that Lewis left his arms at his sides at times, so sure was he that Tua (37-2, 32 KOs) couldn't solve the riddle he presented.

The punch stats told the one-sided story: Lewis landed 300 punches, Tua only 110.

Lewis' fight plan - and his ability to execute it - might not have pleased the fans but it would have been foolish to exchange punches with Tua. To do so might very well have meant giving the valuable WBC and IBF belts to the Samoan.

Again, Lewis is too skilled - and too smart - for that.

Ironically, Lewis' next meaningful fight could be against a similar opponent - Mike Tyson.

If it happens, it could be a repeat of Saturday night. Then again, the fans might get lucky. Tua, at this point, is a much better fighter than Tyson. Most experts believe Lewis would finish the job by knocking out Tyson.

Lewis could probably use such a result. For he certainly will hear the complaints of frustrated fans who believe it's not just important to win, it's important to win in style.

Lewis was awarded the WBC version of the championship in 1992 after Riddick Bowe threw the belt in a trash can and Lewis knocked out Razor Ruddock in what amounted to a title bout to fill the void.

He defended three times before Oliver McCall stopped him with one stunning punch in 1994. Lewis was dazed but many wonder whether the fight was stopped too soon.

Lewis rebounded with four consecutive victories before regaining the title from McCall, who quit in the second round after having an emotional breakdown.

Lewis hasn't lost since. He defended the WBC belt five times before outpointing Evander Holyfield to win the undisputed championship last November. The two had fought to a controversial draw eight months earlier.

The WBA withdrew its belt when Lewis refused to fight No. 1-contender John Ruiz. Lewis stopped Michael Grant and Francois Botha - his last bout - in defense of his WBC and IBF bouts.

In preliminary bouts, Clifford Etienne (19-0, 13 KOs) easily outpointed 1996 U.S. Olympian Lawrence Clay-Bey (12-1, nine KOs) in a brutal 10-round bout between undefeated heavyweights.

Both fighters got in their damaging shots but Etienne was the much busier of the two.

``I'm not worried about it,'' said Clay-Bey, whose has fought sporadically because of injuries. ``It could have been a lack of confidence on my part. I felt good and strong. I just couldn't let my hands go.

``I give myself a lot of credit. This is my second fight in a year's time. My fights are too spaced out. I'll still be here.''

Veteran John-John Molina (52-6, 33 KOs) defeated Ben Tackie (21-2, 13 KOs) by a split decision in a 10-round junior welterweight bout.

Molina, a 35-year-old former junior lightweight champion, has been among the elite fighters in his weight division for more than a decade. The Puerto Rican gave Oscar De La Hoya one of his toughest fights - losing a close decision - when the two met in 1995. Tackie, from Ghana, trains with Joe Goossen in Van Nuys.

And another long-time contender, 34-year-old James Leija, looked sharp as he easily outpointed tough Ivan Robinson in a 10-round lightweight bout.

Leija (41-5-2, 16 KOs) was coming off a close loss to Juan Lazcano in August. Gabriel Ruelas of Sylmar outpointed Leija in 1994 to win the WBC junior lightweight championship.Lennox Lewis (right) lands a body shot on David Tua during their heavyweight championship bout, held Saturday at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino.

CAPTION(S):

2 photos

Photo: (1 -- color) Lennox Lewis (right) lands a body shot on David Tua during their heavyweight championship bout, held Saturday at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino.

Eric Risberg/Associated Press

(2) David Tua (left) unleashes a left hook during his loss to Lennox Lewis Saturday night.

Mark J. Terrill/Associated Press