CAN HOLYFIELD FIND THE FORMULA TO BEAT TYSON? : EX-CHAMP DOUGLAS SAYS CONQUERING FEAR IS ANSWER.

Byline: Michael Rosenthal Daily News Staff Writer

Anyone with a foolproof answer to the following question should contact Evander Holyfield here as soon as possible:

How do you beat Mike Tyson?

It can be done. Buster Douglas proved it when he knocked out Tyson - a 42-1 favorite - in the 10th round of their unforgettable 1990 bout in Tokyo. It's Tyson's only loss.

Douglas used a hard left jab throughout, which kept Tyson off balance, and ultimately was able to hurt him with well-timed rights. All the while, Douglas never stood in one place long enough for Tyson to catch him with the exception of a ninth-round knockdown.

It was the perfect formula - for Douglas, not necessarily for those who have tried to emulate him.

``I beat him one way,'' said Douglas, in town to announce he will fight once a month next year with the ultimate goal being a rematch with Tyson.

``There could be many other ways. Anyone who fights Tyson should do what got them to that point instead of trying to be somebody else.''

The most significant tool against Tyson is confidence, which Douglas had in abundance, several trainers agreed.

Three of Tyson's four opponents since his release from prison last year - Peter McNeeley, Frank Bruno and Bruce Seldon - were scared out of their wits from the time they walked into the arena to the time they lay flat on their backs. Buster Mathis Jr. wasn't intimidated but he didn't have the skills - or the punch - to keep Tyson off of him.

It doesn't matter if one has the skills of a Roy Jones Jr.: A fighter with fear has no chance to win.

``Fear - that's most of the fight,'' said trainer Emanuel Steward. ``Tyson is very strong mentally. That's why he's so intimidating. And it's the main reason he's been able to dominate the division. All the best heavyweights, aside from (Larry) Holmes, had that. Ali psyched people out. (Sonny) Liston was the same way. And George Foreman.

``You'd have to get past that to have a chance against him.''

Along the same lines, the trainers agreed, a Tyson opponent can't run aimlessly around the ring and expect to win. Ultimately, Tyson, who's not exactly a slowpoke, will catch him and hurt him.

Of course, movement is important. Even Russell agreed that only a fool would stand and trade punches with Tyson. There comes a time when every fighter has to fight, though, even against a puncher like Tyson unless his objective is merely to survive.

``You gotta be willing to take something to give something,'' trainer Joe Goossen said. ``You have to be willing to get hit and not crumble like so many of his opponents do.

``No one has been able to take the punishment. Only Douglas.''

And if an opponent can take some punishment, said John Russell, Douglas' trainer, it could turn Tyson into a mortal. It did against Douglas.

Russell admitted he was concerned about Tyson's power in the early rounds of the 1990 fight. As the bout wore on and his fighter didn't fall apart, though, he could see Tyson lose confidence. Ultimately, Douglas claimed the psychological edge and never gave it back.

``I can't say I was totally confident,'' Russell said. ``He is intimidating. You don't know how a fighter is going to react until he's in the ring with a guy like that.

``But once Buster got past the first couple rounds, I thought, `Hey, he has a good chance to beat this guy.' I saw him confusing Mike, I saw him taking some of Mike's confidence.''

So what's Holyfield's game plan for tonight's fight?

He wouldn't say. ``You'll see Nov. 9,'' he said with a smile, although he has said repeatedly that he expects the fight to be short one way or another and promised he wouldn't run, which means he won't be backing up.

TYSON VS. HOLYFIELD: AT A GLANCE

Who: Mike Tyson defends his WBA heavyweight championship against Evander Holyfield.

When: Tonight. The pay-per-view portion of the card begins at 6 p.m.

Where: MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas.

How much: The suggested pay-per-view price is $49.95. Some cable companies are offering special rates or other incentives to provide more value in the event of a short fight.

Records: Tyson is 45-1, 39 KOs; Holyfield is 32-3, 23 KOs.

Purses: Tyson will make $30 million, Holyfield $11 million.

Undercard: Michael Moorer (37-1, 30 KOs) defends his IBF heavyweight title against Francois Botha (36-0, 21 KOs); Henry Akinwande (30-0-1, 18 KOs) defends his WBO heavyweight championship against Alexander Zolkin (24-2, 15 KOs); Christy Martin faces Bethany Payne in a women's bout.

THE INSIDE DOPE

History: The Tyson-Holyfield fight was originally scheduled for Nov. 8, 1991, but Tyson had to postpone because of a rib injury. Before the bout could be rescheduled, Tyson was convicted of rape and went to prison. Also, the two were expected to fight after Tyson's tune-up against Buster Douglas on Feb. 11, 1990. Tyson was knocked out. Holyfield later KOed Douglas to win the title.

Quick facts: It has taken Tyson, 30, less than eight full rounds combined to stop all four of his opponents since he was released from prison last year. Holyfield, 34, is 4-3 in his past seven fights and, with the exception of blown up-light heavyweight Bobby Czyz in his last fight, he hasn't knocked out an opponent since he stopped Bert Cooper in 1991.

Questions:Tyson has not been hit with a decent punch since his return. How will he react if Holyfield lands one or two big ones? After all, the only time he was ever in trouble - against Douglas - he crumbled. Holyfield seems to have faded badly. Does he have one more great fight in him?

Tyson says: ``He thinks he's the best fighter in the world. I know I'm the best fighter in the world.''

Holyfield says: ``I'm going to go in here and wipe Mike Tyson out. This thing is more than a fight - this is what the Lord has in store for me.''

CAPTION(S):

3 Photos, 3 Boxes

Photo: (1--color) Mike Tyson weighs in at 222 pounds Friday before tonight's fight against Evander Holyfield.

Associated Press

(2) Tyson

(3) Holyfield

Box: (1) TYSON VS. HOLYFIELD: AT A GLANCE (see text)

(2) THE INSIDE DOPE (see text)

(3) Tale of the tape