TYSON EXPECTS MAJOR VICTORY; `IRON MIKE' CLAIMS TO BE TAKING NOTHING FOR GRANTED.

Byline: MICHAEL ROSENTHAL

There's a reason Mike Tyson appears to be training like a mad man.

This time, he says, he isn't underestimating Evander Holyfield as he did before their first bout, a stunning 11th-round knockout victory by Holyfield in November.

As a result, he's confident, even cocky less than two weeks before Holyfield-Tyson II on June 28 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas: He predicts ``a sensational victory.''

Apparently, before the last fight, Tyson believed what almost everyone else believed - that Holyfield was on the decline and had no business in the ring with a killer like Tyson, who had been dispatching opponents like the Tyson of old.

Surprise!

Holyfield, as healthy as he'd been in years, shocked the world. Utterly fearless, he dismantled Tyson as if it were a mismatch in his favor to win the WBA heavyweight championship and shatter Tyson's image.

Tyson, under the guidance of new trainer Richie Giachetti, said he's learned his lesson.

``I never had dreams that he could fight that well,'' he said. ``He fought a lot better than I thought he could fight.

``... (Now) I know what I'm looking forward to and I know what I have to face. I'm prepared for it. I know not to underestimate anyone.''

Tyson said last week that he blames himself for the November defeat.

Obviously, then-trainer Jay Bright also was deemed at least partly responsible: He was fired as lead trainer and replaced by Giachetti, who had worked with Tyson shortly before he went to prison for rape.

Based on what fighter and trainer say publicly, they couldn't be happier.

Among myriad problems in the first fight, Tyson said, ``I didn't move my head or punch enough,'' which left him easy prey for a fighter of Holyfield's ability, experience and courage.

In the past few months, Tyson and Giachetti have worked to correct the flaws.

``We're going back to some of the things he learned working with the great Cus D'Amato (Tyson's original mentor),'' Giachetti said. ``I am bringing Mike back to what he had when he had the title. We're just working on what he does the best and putting it together.

``You're going to see the real Mike Tyson, the one who won the title 10 years ago.''

Not many believe that.

In the last fight, so many agreed, Holyfield exposed Tyson for what he was: overrated. And while he's given a good chance of winning the title back - he's the betting favorite - he no longer has the invulnerable mystique.

Then again, there's one way to get some of that back.

Said Tyson: ``I'll be looking for an early knockout.''

Don't overreact: Oscar De La Hoya's second-round knockout of David Kamau was impressive.

However, don't get too excited.

Kamau was made to order for the welterweight champion. Most significant, Kamau comes straight at his opponents with little regard for his own safety.

In that mode, only a fighter with an unusual ability to take a punch - like Miguel Angel Gonzalez - could survive De La Hoya's shots. Obviously, Kamau, who hadn't been stopped in his career, doesn't have such a chin.

Plus, Kamau had been relatively inactive and went up in weight for the fight.

Bad matchup: Next up for De La Hoya is Hector ``Macho'' Camacho in September, which is a stinker.

Camacho is all image, no substance at this point in his career. Expect him to run around, avoid trouble and collect an easy pay day. What's the other option? Try to outbox De La Hoya? Impossible. Stand and fight with him? Laughable.

Basically, De La Hoya-Camacho is a waste of time.

However, there's one person who must love the prospect of De La Hoya-Camacho: promoter Bob Arum. In light of Camacho's ability to sell a fight, Arum can simply sit back, watch and make a lot of money.

Right move: Don King was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame on Sunday. And he deserved it.

Like him or not, he's one of the sport's monumental figures. That cannot be dismissed because of his less-than-savory behavior. And consider: If inductions were based on character in this sport, the Hall would be half the size.

Joining King are Sugar Ray Leonard and Jose Torres, two former champions with impeccable credentials.

COMING UP

Tuesday: On USA television, John Ruiz defends his NABF heavyweight title against Ray Anis in Bay St. Louis, Miss.

Thursday: John Mugabi faces Jamie Wallace in a 12-round super middleweight bout in Australia.

Friday: Michael Grant faces Alfred Cole in a 12-round heavyweight bout in Atlantic City, N.J.

Saturday: On Showtime, Francois Botha and Lee Gilbert fight for the vacant WBA North American heavyweight title in Tampa, Fla. Also, Daorung Siriwat defends his WBA bantamweight crown against Nana Konadu; Adolpho Washington faces Uriah Grant for Washington's IBF cruiserweight championship; and Charles Brewer and Gary Ballard vie for the vacant IBF super middleweight title.

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Photo: ``I never had dreams that he could fight that well,'' Mike Tyson said of Evander Holyfield refering to their November bout.

Daily News File Photo

Box: COMING UP (see text)