FOR INSIDE INFORMATION, ASK STEWARD.

Byline: MICHAEL ROSENTHAL

If anyone would have a handle on what we can expect when WBA heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield fights IBF champ Michael Moorer in a title-unification bout on Saturday in Las Vegas, it's trainer Emanuel Steward.

The current mentor of Lennox Lewis, the third of the three heavyweight champions, and Oscar De La Hoya, worked with Moorer from 1987 to 1992. He also worked with Holyfield for two fights in 1993, including the only time in three matchups in which Holyfield beat Riddick Bowe.

So who does he think will win?

Well, if one sifts through the myriad factors Steward laid out last week, the answer is Holyfield. It's not that simple, though.

To Steward, this fight - like most in which the combatants are reasonably well-matched - comes down to state of mind.

In this department, Holyfield, one of the sport's great warriors, would seem to win hands down against a notoriously suspect competitor. He wins fights as much with mental toughness as physical toughness and his considerable abilities, which has earned him admiration in and out of the boxing world.

However, consider this: Holyfield is coming off two emotional victories over Mike Tyson, one in which he beat up Tyson and one in which he lost part of his ear. And, remember, Holyfield at times has seemed either disinterested or off-kilter - or both - in the ring. His mediocre performance against Bobby Czyz in May of last year is a prime example.

Will he be up for this fight?

``Holyfield is fighting a fight after he has just come off a great win,'' Steward said. ``He is on a level that is bigger than boxing right now. It is very important that he is mentally and emotionally up for this fight.

``As a heavyweight, he has always been inconsistent. . . . That's the biggest problem possibly in this fight (for Holyfield).''

Moorer? Steward put into words what is apparent: ``He doesn't like boxing.''

That would explain his tendency to be tentative or lethargic in the ring, as if he simply wants to do enough to win and then get out. It also is one reason he's a 3-1 underdog even though he took Holyfield's WBA and IBF titles by decision in 1994.

And no one knows what effect the departure of trainer Teddy Atlas might have on Moorer. In the first matchup with Holyfield, Atlas' ability to goad his fighter into action during the bout might have been the key to victory. (Moorer, who approached Steward about rejoining him but was turned down because of Steward's commitment to Lewis, is trained by Freddie Roach.)

Moorer has told Steward that, for this fight, he plans to return to the aggressiveness of his early career. As a light heavyweight, he was 22-0 with 22 knockouts. (Since moving up in weight, he's 17-1 with only nine KOs.) Steward is dubious.

``Moorer is the strangest kid that you'll ever meet in your life in terms of mental makeup for a fighter,'' he said. ``. . . As he came into his own, I began to realize that deep down, he had a total dislike for boxing. He's totally preoccupied with physically not wanting to be hurt.

``When he's enraged, when he really wants to impress someone, he is totally opposite. He's very inconsistent.''

Holyfield is a better boxer, Steward said. He moves his feet better than Moorer, he's a superior inside fighter, he's a superior outside fighter. If Moorer has an advantage, he said, it's power.

However, as Steward said, all that might not mean much.

Each fighter has his inspiration. Moorer told Steward he desperately wants to knock out Holyfield to erase the embarrassment of losing Atlas and narrowly outpointing journeyman Vaughn Bean in his last fight.

Holyfield's obsession now is to beat Moorer and Lewis to unify the heavyweight crown.

``It's going to be interesting to see where each guy is emotionally,'' Steward said. ``If both guys are up on a high level, it could be a very explosive fight. Moorer is still very powerful as a puncher and he is left-handed.

``Holyfield wanting to unify the heavyweight division and finish off his career could be a big factor. . . . He wants to prove that he can be a consistent heavyweight. . . . He may put his whole heart and soul into it this time and that may overcome this emotional letdown I'm expecting.''

Was he hurt?: Holyfield has said repeatedly that he came into the first fight with Moorer with an injured left shoulder and aggravated it in the second round, which rendered him a one-handed fighter.

Moorer and his handlers say baloney. They're convinced Holyfield was making excuses.

Steward's opinion?

``When I was training Holyfield for the second Bowe fight, one of the sparring partners resorted to a southpaw style,'' he said. ``I was surprised that Holyfield did everything perfect. Then, when he fought Moorer, he looked all confused.

``I believe Holyfield was not in the best of health and mentally I don't think he was that much into the fight. I also think he was on an emotional high from the (second) Bowe fight and it was too soon.''

Holyfield-Tyson III?: Holyfield doesn't seem to be as open to a third fight with Tyson as he once was.

``The fight with Mike Tyson is behind me,'' he said. ``I beat Mike twice. My goal in boxing now is to be the undisputed champion again.''

That's for now. When Tyson is reinstated, Holyfield's goal will be to make $30 million-plus fighting the former champion.

Reluctant warrior: WBC light heavyweight champion Roy Jones Jr. will fight Michael Nunn if he must. Make no mistake, though: He doesn't want to.

It appears Jones must fight Nunn, the No. 1 contender, if he wants to retain his title. However, it's bad business, according to Jones' publicist, Greg Fritz.

Jones has been making $3 million a fight from HBO, Fritz said. American Presents, which won the purse bid for the fight, proposes to pay Jones $1.8 million.

``It's like saying, `Hey, we're going to dock your salary two-thirds, but we want you to do that same work,' '' Fritz said.

Jones wants to keep the title, Fritz said, to attract opponents. As a result, the fight, scheduled for January, could take place in spite of the purse.

Helloooo: A news release from America Presents included predictions of the proposed Jones-Nunn fight by prominent fighters.

Three of the five - Roberto Duran, Bernard Hopkins and Merqui Sosa - predict Nunn, 34, would win and a fourth - William Guthrie - says it's a ``pick-'em'' fight. Hector Camacho picked Jones.

Editor's note: Duran, Hopkins, Sosa and Guthrie have been hit in the head many times. That's the only possible explanation. Apparently, Camacho has retained some of his senses because he's a defense-minded fighter.

COMING UP

Tuesday: On USA, Tim Witherspoon faces Levi Billups in a 10-round heavyweight bout in Tunica, Miss.

Thursday: Larry Donald takes on Ricardo Kennedy in a 10-round heavyweight bout in Biloxi, Miss. Also, Ahmad Abdin faces Ray Anis in another 10-round heavyweight matchup.

Friday: On ESPN, Michael Grant fights Jorge Luis Gonzalez in a 12-round heavyweight bout.

Saturday: On pay-per-view, WBA heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield faces IBF titleholder Michael Moorer in a championship-unification bout at Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas. Also, Wilfredo Vazquez defends his WBA featherweight title against Genaro Rios; Nate Miller takes on Fabrice Tiozzo for Miller's WBA cruiserweight championship, and Uriah Grant defends his IBF cruiserweight title against Imamu Mayfield.

Sunday: On ESPN2, Floyd Weaver fights Fidel Avendano in a 12-round junior middleweight bout at the Country Club in Reseda. Also, Mark Carrier takes on Arthur Weathers in a 10-round heavyweight matchup.

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