FOR NOW, HOLYFIELD LEADS FIELD : HEAVYWEIGHT'S HOLD ON SPOT IS TEMPORARY.

Byline: Michael Rosenthal

Evander Holyfield shook up the heavyweight division, not to mention the boxing world, by bringing down bully Mike Tyson to win the World Boxing Association championship and the hearts of all right-thinking people last week.

What better time to shake up the Daily News' heavyweight rankings?

No brainer: Holyfield is No. 1. He certainly earned it with his inspiring, history-making performance at the MGM Grand.

His victory did as much for the division as it did for Holyfield, though.

Whether he deserved it or not, Tyson had been elevated to a realm all his own. He seemed untouchable. By losing, he rejoined the ranks of the mortals - Holyfield included - and injected some intrigue into the division.

Remember, Holyfield is not the monster Tyson was thought to be. He's 34 and he's lost twice to one fighter on this list (Riddick Bowe) and once to another (Michael Moorer). He won't be around long.

Indeed, the title of world's baddest man is up for serious grabs.

Who comes after Holyfield?

Bowe, perhaps the most talented of the bunch but a fighter who has yet to display the commitment it takes to become great, edges Tyson for the No. 2 spot. A convincing victory Dec. 14 over Andrew Golota, whom he defeated by disqualification in July, would renew his fading credibility. A loss would destroy it.

Tyson is No. 3. OK, he just got his butt kicked. And, yes, Holyfield exposed a ring-full of weaknesses, most notably eroded skills and a lack of resourcefulness.

At the same time, the power, the ferocity, the innate ability is there. If he gets the proper guidance, if he can correct his mistakes of last week - and survive the trauma of such a whopping - he will rise again.

To a good extent, a rematch with Holyfield would make or break his career.

After that comes a significant drop off. No. 4 Moorer, the International Boxing Federation champ, is skillful but can't take a big punch, and No. 5 Lennox Lewis talks better - and more - than he fights.

Tim Witherspoon, who has been sharp since his return to boxing in 1994 after a two-year layoff, gets the nod at No. 6. But he's 38. No. 7 Golota must beat Bowe again - or give him a good fight - to establish himself as a factor.

No. 8 Henry Akinwande is rising but has yet to fight one of the big boys; No. 9 is Oliver McCall; and No. 10 David Tua is loaded with power but is only 23.

A year ago: The most recent Daily News rankings, published on Oct. 31, 1995, were as follows: 1. Bowe; 2. Holyfield; 3. Tyson; 4. Lewis; 5. Moorer; 6. Frank Bruno; 7. Bruce Seldon; 8. McCall; 9. Akinwande; 10. Larry Donald.

Strong opinions: Kevin Rooney, the former trainer of Mike Tyson, didn't hold back when asked to assess the former champion's performance against Holyfield.

``He looked like a jerk,'' Rooney said. ``He was unprepared, he didn't know what to do. He didn't move his head, he didn't know how to get away from a punch.

``He's just an ordinary fighter now. Everyone and their mother is going to go after him. The intimidation factor is gone. . . . I'm sorry to say, very, very few fighters ever come back from a beating like that.''

Rooney wasn't through. He said promoter Don King ``has ruined'' Tyson with questionable guidance, referred to co-managers John Horne and Rory Holloway as ``two (expletives) from the gutter'' and said trainer Jay Bright and his crew are incompetent.

``They're clowns. They don't know anything about the Cus D'Amato-style of fighting,'' said Rooney, referring to his late mentor and Tyson's first trainer. ``He was a special fighter because of Cus' style. I learned under Cus. Jay (another disciple) didn't learn anything.

``With me, when he paid attention, he was unbeatable. Now he's just a palooka.''

Rooney probably won't be rejoining Tyson any time soon. He recently was awarded $4.4 million in a suit against Tyson for breach of contract.

Rabbit punches: Lewis and Oliver McCall are expected to fight Jan. 24 or Feb. 1, possibly in London, for the vacant World Boxing Council title. McCall knocked out Lewis in 1994. . . .

George Foreman's battle with Ron Lyle, in which both fighters spent as much time on the canvas as they did on their feet, will be shown at 6 p.m. Tuesday on Classic Sports Network. . . .

The Dec. 14 pay-per-view card in Atlantic City is worth the time and money: The Bowe-Golota rematch is the main event and Witherspoon and Mercer fight on the undercard.

DAILY NEWS' TOP 10 HEAVYWEIGHTS

1. Evander Holyfield

Age: 34. Title: WBA.

Record: 33-3, 24 KOs.

Comment: Who else? He made an indelible mark on boxing lore with one of the sport's greatest performances. And he fits the definition of the word ``champion.'' At 34, however, how long can he remain on top of a tough sport?

2. Riddick Bowe

Age: 29. Title: None.

Record: 39-1, 33 KOs.

Comment: His stock went up when Holyfield put Tyson down, but his poor work habits continue to bring up disturbing questions. If he can beat Andrew Golota convincingly, as he should, he'll do wonders for his waning credibility.

3. Mike Tyson

Age: 30. Title: None.

Record: 45-2, 39 KOs.

Comment: One defeat does not a loser make. He might not be the monster some believed he was, but how many heavyweights can stand up to his punches? The talent and ferocity is there. Now, if he gets the proper guidance. . . .

4. Michael Moorer

Age: 29. Title: IBF.

Record: 38-1, 31 KOs.

Comment: His stock went up, too. OK, Holyfield was bothered by a sore arm when Moorer outpointed him. Still, Moorer beat boxing's greatest warrior. He's a fine boxer with a decent punch. However, his chin remains a glaring flaw.

5. Lennox Lewis

Age: 31. Title: None.

Record: 29-1, 24 KOs.

Comment: They've been talking about his immense talent for years, but he has yet to show it with any consistency. He should beat Oliver McCall and win the vacant WBC title early next year, although McCall beat him once.

6. Tim Witherspoon

Age: 38. Title: None.

Record: 45-4, 30 KOs.

Comment: There's a reason people seem to be avoiding him. At 38, he doesn't have many fights left. However, he has been crafty and consistent since returning in 1994 from a two-year layoff. Keep an eye on him.

7. Andrew Golota

Age: 28. Title: None.

Record: 28-1, 25 KOs.

Comment: His rise in stature is the result of one fight: He beat up Bowe but was disqualified for low blows. If he can do it again on Dec. 14, and win this time, he will be extremely marketable. He's big and very strong.

8. Henry Akinwande

Age: 31. Title: WBO.

Record: 31-0-1, 19 KOs.

Comment: He, not Lewis or Frank Bruno, might be England's best heavyweight. He's 6-foot-6-1/2 and has an 86-inch reach, but he also knows how to fight. An effective jab and potent straight right are gaining credibility.

9. Oliver McCall

Age: 31. Title: None.

Record: 28-6, 20 KOs.

Comment: A loss to lame Bruno last year notwithstanding, he has a knockout victory over Lewis and the big punch that gave it to him. He becomes a significant player again if he can beat Lewis one more time.

10. David Tua

Age: 23. Title: None.

Record: 25-0, 21 KOs.

Comment: This is a hunch. The Samoan is reminiscent of Tyson. He's aggressive, his punches hurt people and he's very confident. It's early, though: He must beat a big-name opponent or two to be taken seriously.

COMING UP

Tonight: Nestor Garza faces Roberto Villareal in a 10-round junior featherweight bout at the Forum. Also, Shibata Flores takes on Ernie Artango in a 10-round junior middleweight bout.

Thursday: Lionel Butler faces a fighter to be announced in a 10-round heavyweight bout at the Country Club in Reseda. Also, Jeremy Williams and Louis Monaco fight in another 10-round heavyweight bout.

Friday: On HBO, Mike McCallum faces Roy Jones Jr. for McCallum's WBC light heavyweight title in Tampa, Fla. Also, Marco Antonio Barrera defends his WBO junior featherweight championship against Junior Jones.

CAPTION(S):

Photo, 2 Boxes

Photo: Evander Holyfield

Associated Press

Box: (1) COMING UP (see text)

(2) DAILY NEWS' TOP 10 HEAVYWEIGHTS (see text)