LET'S GET IT ON HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE COMES TO TOWN TONIGHT; LEWIS PREDICTS A KNOCKOUT.

Byline: Michael Rosenthal Assistant Sports Editor 

We started out with a doubleheader featuring Lennox Lewis and Mike Tyson in separate bouts. Then, after Tyson refused to take part, we were left with Lewis defending his heavyweight championship against nondescript Kirk Johnson. And finally, when Johnson pulled out, we arrived at the most interesting matchup of the lot: Lewis vs. Vitali Klitschko for the title tonight at Staples Center.

That doesn't necessarily mean it will be a good fight: Lewis is a 5-1 favorite because of superior skills and a vast edge in experience, particularly in world-championship fights. Most experts are predicting Lewis will win by knockout - and that includes the champion himself.

However, it's not that simple. Klitschko is no Kirk Johnson, a journeyman heavyweight who probably would've run from Lewis the entire fight. The 6-foot-7 Ukrainian, who lives in Los Angeles, is the typical plodding European heavyweight but he's well-schooled and powerful: He's 32-1 - with 31 knockouts, perhaps the best knockout ratio in the sport.

If nothing else, the first big heavyweight fight in L.A. since Muhammad Ali outpointed Ken Norton at the Forum in 1973 is one of the most intriguing possible matchups today.

``Lennox and I are taking him seriously, believe me,'' said Emanuel Steward, Lewis' longtime trainer.

Lewis (40-2-1, with 31 knockouts) was supposed to fight Klitschko - who originally was scheduled to face Cedric Boswell on the undercard - in December assuming things went as planned tonight. Klitschko, the WBC's No. 1 contender, has been Lewis' mandatory challenger for more than a year.

However, when Johnson was injured in training, Lewis didn't hesitate to switch to Klitschko (32-1, 31 KOs) on less than two weeks' notice in part because it has been a year since he's been in the ring - he knocked out Mike Tyson last June - and felt it was important to be active.

Lewis' decision also is an indication of the confidence he has in himself, as he seems to be at his peak at 37 years old. He's coming off two of his most impressive performances: a fourth-round knockout of Hasim Rahman in November 2001 to avenge an earlier loss and a brutal eighth-round dismantling of Tyson. Lewis is convinced no one can beat him when he's focused and few will argue with him.

Lewis firmly believes Klitschko, too slow to avoid his big punches, will quickly become just another victim in a remarkable 15-year career.

``I actually think that Klitschko complements my style a lot more than Johnson,'' Lewis said. ``I don't think I'll have to chase him around as much. Johnson is fast, he has fast feet. Klitschko will be there for me.''

Steward suggested Lewis should have no difficulty - as long as he's aggressive. For whatever reason, the 6-5 Lewis has been particularly assertive against his few taller opponents and the results have been impressive.

He stopped 6-7 Michael Grant in two rounds and was dominating 6-7 Henry Akinwande when Akinwande was disqualified for excessive holding.

However, if Lewis reverts to the passiveness of some of his fights, Steward said, he could have trouble with Klitschko.

``He has to be aggressive, to take control,'' Steward said of Lewis. ``I don't want him to get into a technical fight. Klitschko is a capable boxer, with a good jab. If Lennox boxes him from the outside, it could be a long, boring fight and anything could happen.''

Lewis' weight could be an indication of another problem.

He weighed in Thursday at 256 1/2 pounds - the most of his career, which immediately raised questions about his conditioning and focus for this fight. He weighed 253 when he was knocked out by Rahman in their first meeting, for which many believe he was prepared neither physically nor mentally and paid the price. Meanwhile, he was under 250 for both the second Rahman and Tyson fights.

Could Klitschko catch Lewis off-guard?

``I'm focused,'' Lewis said. ``I know it's a big fight.''

Klitschko knows what his critics are saying, that he's too slow and too stationary for a fighter of Lewis' ability. He's not even considered the best Klitschko; his younger brother, Wladimir, gets that honor. And that's fine with Vitali. He's heard such things throughout his career and he believes all he has to do is point to his resume to refute the naysayers. He hasn't faced any of the best heavyweights but he's beaten some good ones, with only one (German Timo Hoffmann) going the distance.

And Klitschko has lost only once, when he was easily beating current IBF champion Chris Byrd but had to quit with a shoulder injury in the 10th round. He won his five subsequent fights to earn the shot at Lewis he's sought for the past three years.

``All my opponents underestimate me because of my style,'' said Klitschko, who appears to be relaxed and quietly confident. ``Maybe I don't look impressive. I heard (Lewis) said he will knock me out in the early rounds. OK. Let's see. I've had 33 fights and all 33 opponents have promised exactly the same thing.''

LEWIS vs. KLITSCHKO

Today, 7 p.m. at Staples Center, TV: HBO 

Also fighting: Phillip Ndou vs. Yoni Vargas; William Abelyan vs. Julio Gamboa; Laila Ali vs. Valerie Mahfoud; Lucia Rijker vs. Jane Couch

CAPTION(S):

3 photos, 2 boxes

Photo:

(1 -- 2 -- color) Heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis, right, puts his belt on the line tonight against Vitali Klitschko, left, at Staples Center tonight. Klitschko is 32-1 with 31 knockouts.

Alexander Hassenstein/SportsChrome

(3) no caption (Vitali Klitschko, left, making fists with Lennox Lewis

Box:

(1) LEWIS vs. KLITSCHKO (see text)

(2) POUND FOR POUND MATCHUP

... PREDICTION: Lewis, KO 7

- Mike Rosenthal