BELTING BOWE FOR A BELT ABOVE THE BELT : BOWE AND GOLOTA FIGHT FOR TITLE SHOT.

Byline: Michael Rosenthal Daily News Staff Writer

The theme for tonight's heavyweight pay-per-view bout between Riddick Bowe and Andrew Golota in Atlantic City?

How about, ``We Learned Our Lessons.''

The promoters certainly hope there is no repeat of the embarrassing brawl that followed the first bout between these fighters, in July at Madison Square Garden.

Bowe, who won by disqualification in the seventh round because of repeated low blows by Golota, hopes he doesn't repeat a miserable performance.

And Golota, who was winning decisively in the first fight, hopes he doesn't blow a tremendous opportunity again by repeating the repeated low blows.

Then again, maybe such a debacle isn't all bad.

``I think any time you have a controversy, people become more interested,'' Bowe said.

The first fight was most controversial - and memorable - because of the riot, in which 22 people were injured and 10 were arrested. Golota was cut on the head when one of Bowe's supporters hit him with a walkie-talkie.

This time, organizers aren't taking chances. Security at the Atlantic City Convention Center, the site of the fight, reportedly is airtight.

Of course, the performance of the fighters is far less certain.

Bowe (39-1, with 32 knockouts) apparently didn't think much of Golota before the first fight. In fact, he said he knew almost nothing about him.

The result? The former undisputed champion stepped into the ring at a blubbery 252 pounds and was not prepared for what evolved into a brutal fight.

Afterward, Bowe's own mother, disgusted with his performance, suggested he quit.

Instead, he became motivated: Bowe, well aware that his credibility - and marketability - is at stake, swears he's changed his ways.

He weighed in Thursday at 235 pounds, his lightest since he beat Evander Holyfield in 1992 to win the title and a good indication that he's in shape and has, indeed, taken this fight seriously. (Golota weighed 239, four fewer than in July.)

And this time Golota won't take him by surprise.

``I think I took Golota for granted,'' Bowe said. ``And by taking him for granted, I didn't give myself the best opportunity to be the best I can be.

``. . . I was embarrassed by the way Golota fought, what I let him do and the aftermath.''

Golota (28-1, 25 KOs), surprisingly agile and quick, seemed on the verge of a stunning knockout in the first fight.

However, in line with his past behavior, he couldn't keep it clean. He bit one opponent, blatantly butted at least one other, and, against Bowe, he turned to punching below the belt.

He was penalized two points in the first six rounds, at which point his handlers told him not to punch to the body. Ignoring them, he went low again in the seventh and that cost him the fight.

Lou Duva, one of his handlers, believes we'll see a different Golota tonight.

``I spoke to him in Spanish, Italian, Polish and . . . about every language in the book,'' Duva said. ``Guess what? He learned. When you're in the heat of battle, you throw punches.

``He's not going to intentionally throw low punches.''

Many observers see this as Bowe's fight now that he's in shape - which is fine with Golota.

The native of Poland said he wants Bowe to be at his best. Then, he figures, a victory will mean that much more.

Golota is very confident that the one thing that will be repeated is his dominating performance. If he can do it, and keep his punches up, he would seem to be a logical opponent for the winner of the Holyfield-Mike Tyson rematch.

``It is the same man,'' he said of Bowe. ``He doesn't change his style. He may be stronger but he is the same man.''

BOWE vs. GOLOTA

Who: Riddick Bowe faces Andrew Golota in a 10-round heavyweight bout

When: Tonight

Where: Atlantic City Convention Center, Atlantic City

TV: Pay-per-view, first televised bout at 6 p.m.

Background: Bowe and Golota fought on July 11. Golota, a relative unknown, was winning when he was disqualified for repeated low blows. The winner of tonight's fight could be in line to face the winner of the Evander Holyfield-Mike Tyson rematch.

Also fighting: Ray Mercer faces Tim Witherspoon in another 10-round heavyweight bout.

CAPTION(S):

Photo, Box

Photo: Tighter security is vowed after a riot erupted following Andrew Golota's disqualification for low-blows against Riddick Bowe.

Associated Press

Box: BOWE VS. GOLOTA (see text)