IN THE CLUTCH, THAT'S ALL HE DID : COMING UP.

Byline: MICHAEL ROSENTHAL

Boxing didn't need this.

Only two weeks after the Evander Holyfield-Mike Tyson disaster, Henry Akinwande stepped into the ring against WBC champion Lennox Lewis, decided he didn't want to fight and was disqualified.

To say that everyone connected with the fight - the viewers included - were frustrated is an understatement.

``We just can't have too many more of these days,'' Marc Ratner, executive director of the Nevada State Athletic Commission, told The Associated Press.

``. . . I could just see everything happening all over again. I love the sport as much as anybody in the world, but today I could feel tears welling in my eyes.''

I'm not sure it's time to cry for boxing. The sport, whatever strange turns it takes, always seems to survive.

At the same time, consecutive DQs - only the third and fourth times in more than 100 years that a heavyweight-title fight has been decided by a disqualification - are going to turn people off. The more so coming shortly after other debacles, including fights ended for refusal to fight, low blows and punching opponents while they're down.

The result of Saturday's matchup is particularly frustrating because it could've been a fine fight. Lewis' skills are well established and Akinwande, undefeated coming in, seemed to be talented and well-schooled - a legitimate threat.

However, at the biggest moment of his career, he froze: Referee Mills Lane, who worked the Holyfield-Tyson fight, repeatedly warned Akinwande for excessive holding, but he refused to stop. Finally, in the fifth round, Lane stopped it.

Why did Akinwande bother?.

What's up?: What are fighters like Akinwande, who act in a bizarre manner, thinking?

The guy works his entire life to be in the position he was in on Saturday - fighting for a major world title - and once he's finally there, he says, in effect, ``I want my mommy'' and goes home.

Imagine such behavior in other sports. Roger Clemens stands on the mound in the World Series and says, ``Uh uh, I ain't gonna throw it.'' Or Michael Jordan before a NBA Finals game: ``You can't make me go out there.''

Oh, it happens outside boxing: Other athletes do snap. Take Juan Marichal when he bopped John Roseboro on the head with a bat.

However, it seems to happen so often in boxing. In the past year, Andrew Golota twice was DQ'd for hitting Riddick Bowe below the belt, Oliver McCall (while crying) quit against Lewis, Tyson bit off a piece of Holyfield's ear and Akinwande held on for dear life.

What is it about boxing?

The only thing that comes to me is the life-and-death nature of the sport: When a fighter's in trouble, he reverts to his survival instincts. In other words, anything goes.

If they don't find a way to control those instincts, however, the sport is going to suffer.

The upside: Some good came out of Saturday's fight.

One, Lane took decisive action.

In the Holyfield-Tyson fight, he should've stopped it after the first time Tyson bit Holyfield's ear. On Saturday, he improved: He not only warned Akinwande repeatedly, he went to his corner and explained the possible ramifications of the fighter's actions to trainer Don Turner.

When nothing worked, he did what he had to do in spite of the negative impact another DQ would have on the sport.

And, two, the commission withheld Akinwande's entire $1 million purse - taking advantage of a new law allowing it to do so - and temporarily suspended him pending a hearing this week.

The message: Fighters should know that they won't be paid unless they give an honest effort.

For the main part, boxing is trying to get its affairs in order.

Next for Holyfield: It appears IBF heavyweight champion Michael Moorer is the front-runner to be Holyfield's next opponent.

It would give Holyfield the opportunity to avenge one of the three losses in his career. Moorer beat him by a decision in 1994.

``Now that Moorer is free,'' said Jim Thomas, Holyfield's attorney, ``it appears as if November would be a good time for him and Evander to meet.''

One problem: Promoter Don King has the rights to the next fights of both Holyfield and Moorer. However, if there's money to be made - either as promoter of the bout or by giving up the rights for a fee - King will help make it happen.

On the decline: Those who aren't King fans should be pleased: The promoter has had a rough few weeks.

First, his meal ticket - Tyson - loses his license and will be out at least a year. Second, another of King's heavyweights - Akinwande - loses credibility. The only heavyweight he has left is Francois Botha, which isn't saying much.

More King: King was the promoter of all three fighters who seemed to lose their minds in the ring - McCall, against Lewis; Tyson, against Holyfield; and Akinwande, against Lewis.

A coincidence?

Rabbit punches: The Oscar De La Hoya-Hector ``Macho'' Camacho was a bad idea to begin with: It's a lousy matchup.

It took a turn for the worse last week with Camacho's racist slurs aimed at Tyson and his handlers. Camacho is over the hill and an idiot, which isn't an appealing combination. . . .

Juan Manuel Marquez will be shooting for his 21st straight victory when he fights Catalino Becerra in defense of his NABO featherweight title tonight at the Forum. He lost his pro debut on a disqualification and hasn't lost since.

Tonight: At the Forum, Juan Manuel Marquez faces Catalino Becerra for Marquez's NABO featherweight title. Also, Ricky Hesia takes on Alfred Ankamah in a 10-round welterweight bout.

Friday: On HBO, Johnny Tapia faces Danny Romero for Tapia's WBO junior bantamweight championship and Romero's IBF junior bantam titles in Las Vegas. Also, Michael Carbajal fights Jake Matlala in a 12-round light flyweight bout.

Saturday: On Showtime, Frankie Liles defends his WBA super middleweight title against Zaffarou Ballogou in Nashville. Also, Mbulelo Botile faces Tim Austin for Botile's IBF bantamweight crown.

Also Saturday, Rafael Ruelas faces Mike Griffith in a 10-round super lightweight bout in Indio. In the main event, William Guthrie takes on Darrin Allen for the vacant IBF light heavyweight title.

Sunday: Bernard Hopkins defends his IBF middleweight championship against Glen Johnson in Indio.

Also Sunday, Aaron Davis fights Tommy Small for the vacant USBA junior middleweight title in Atlantic City, N.J.

CAPTION(S):

Photo, Box

Photo: Henry Akinwande, left, hangs onto Lennox Lewis in the third round of their title bout.

Associated Press

Box: COMING UP (see text)