TO HOLYFIELD, KO BOAST IS OK.

Byline: MICHAEL ROSENTHAL Boxing

Geez, a few victories over an overrated Mike Tyson, and Evander Holyfield thinks he's the all-time bomb.

The fact he predicted he'd knock out Lennox Lewis in the third round when the two meet March 13 in New York isn't entirely outrageous, although it's a bit out of character for a fighter not known for blusterous comments.

Holyfield said a third-round KO over such a formidable opponent would be a testament to the impact God has on his life, particularly because he's not a one-punch knockout artist.

And remember, Holyfield's principal motivation is his religion.

``It's something people have to see,'' said Holyfield, referring to that third-round KO. ``. . . For people to see the changes Go having on my life, I have to do new things, things I don't commonly do.

``I don't commonly knock out someone in the third round. That's uncommon for a little man like myself.''

Doesn't sound overly boastful, does it?

Even when he repeatedly guaranteed he'd get it done in three - ``I'm not predicting, I'm telling you . . . '' - it didn't sound as if he were bragging. It simply sounded as if he knew something the rest of us didn't.

And these weren't just words that accidentally spilled out of his mouth. One, he said it repeatedly. And, two, he understands the ramifications of his bold statements.

``I've put myself out on a limb, I guess,'' he said with a little laugh.

However, Holyfield didn't stop there. Later, he was asked about his place in history.

Before Tyson and a dominating victory over Michael Moorer, he was destined to be remembered as a solid but not great heavyweight. Now, in some eyes, his standing has changed. One boxing magazine had him ranked No.ll-time behind Muhammad Ali and Joe Louis, a bit of a stretch when champions like Jack Johnson, Jack Dempsey, Rocky Marciano and a young Larry Holmes are considered.

Holyfield also took exception to the rankings - but for other reasons.

``If you look at things stat-wise, I think it's a lot easier to see all the things fighters before me have accomplished,'' Holyfield said. ``I think I've been able to accomplish more, though.

``. . . I know it's a matter of opinion, anybody can be right.''

Or wrong.

Certainly, Holyfield is one of the best fighters of his time. But of all time? Probably not. To mention him with Ali and Louis seems ludicrous. He'll be remembered more for his unparalleled fighter's heart than his fine but not exceptional skills.

Then again, we might have to re-evaluate if he gets that third-round knockout.

Next champion: David Reid, the only American to win a gold medal at the 1996 Olympics, probably will become the third Olympian from the Atlantaes to win a world title when he challenges tough but limited WBA super welterweight champ Laurent Boudouani on Saturday in Atlantic City, N.J.

If he wins, he'll claim a belt in fewer fights than Floyd Mayweather and Fernando Vargas.

Reid, who has been bothered by a droopy eye, has fought only 11 times.

Mayweather and Vargas already proved that talent often is more important than experience. Reid expects to reinforce that concept.

``I knew I was going to fight for a world title between 12 or 15 fights,'' Reid said. ``The key is how well you do against the opponents you do fight. (The promotional firm) America Presents believes I'm now fit for the title.''

Added Dan Goossen, head of America Presents: ``You see it in other sports, especially basketball with players like Kobe Bryant. . . . A special athlete can go right from high school to the pros and be considered a superstar.

``David has that type of talent.''

Comparison: Coincidentally, Oscar De La Hoya, Ameri only gold medalist in 1992, also fought for his first title in his 12th fight. He beat Jimmi Bredhal for the marginal WBO junior lightweight belt in 1994.

In terms of records, Reid has faced better opposition than De La Hoya. Reid's opponents were 310-45-5 (72 percent knockouts), De La Hoya's 198-54-18 (47 percent KOs), according to stats compiled by America Presents.

Big step: Lance Whitaker, the unbeaten heavyweight from Northridge, will face his biggest test when he fights big-punching Lou Savarese on the undercard of the Reid-Boudouani fight.

If Whitaker wins, he'll be in position to fight for a world title.

That's a big if, however. Whitaker looked so-so in his knockout of Alex Stewart, his last bout, and Savarese has solid skills and experience.

First defense: Moments after a telephone conference call with IBF junior middleweight champ Fernando Vargas began, former titleholder Raul Marquez got on the line and tried to bait the Oxnard resident into a fight.

Sus life at the top: Everyone is going to seek a crack at the new champion.

First up is someone named Howard Clark of England on the undercard of the Holyfield-Lewis fight.

Vargas promises no letdown after his emotional victory over Yory Boy Campas to win the title in December.

``I'm training even harder now,'' he said. ``. . . Now, I want to show the world I'm the best junior middleweight in the world.''

Vargas said he wants to fight for another title before the end of the year. However, don't expect it to be against Reid. A matchup between two unbeaten world champions from the same Olympic team is about as compelling as it gets, but the time isn't right. It could be a few years before it happens.

``Fernando against Reid could be the biggest fight in boxing,'' said Dino Duva, Vargas' promoter. ``We want to do it at its peak, though. We want to make sure the timing is right.''

Vargas in L.A.: Duva said he's promised that Vargas' next defense will be in the Los Angeles a.

The opponent and site have yet to be determined. Duva mentioned the Olympic Auditorium and the Pond as possible venues and said the quality of opponent will depend on what sort of television deal he can strike.

Busy guy: John Jackson, the vice president of Forum Boxing, will join John Robinson's staff with the UNLV football team as an assistant head coach and offensive coordinator.

Jackson, a football man long before he got involved in boxing, will retain his position at the Forum.

COMING UP

Saturday: On HBO, Laurent Boudouani defends his WBA super welterweight title against David Reid in Atlantic City, N.J. On USSB, IBF junior flyweight champion Will Grigsby defends his title against Anis Roga in St. Paul, Minn.

And, on Univision, Nestor Garza defends his WBA super bantamweight championship against Carlos Baretto in Indio.

CAPTION(S):

Photo, Box

PHOTO Sounding a bit out of character, Evander Holyfield predicted a third-round knockout of Lennox Lewis when the two meet March 13.

Tom Casino/Associated Press

BOX: COMING UP (see text)