Lennox Lewis has it in his hands to give Michael Grant a painful return ticket down memory lane in their world heavyweight title clash at Madison Square Garden tonight. Top American trainer Teddy Atlas, who guided Michael Moorer to the IBF title and was involved in Mike Tyson's early career, believes Lewis can exploit Grant's flashbacks of his fight with Andrew Golota last November, when he was floored twice in the opening round.
And it is now up to Lewis to make any inhibitions count. Grant got up and beat Golota, so the champion must ensure that his latest challenger stays down if he finds a quick route to his chin. Lewis destroyed the Pole inside a round, so purely on comparisons it is no time for caution, although the 6ft 7in Grant is the biggest man the champion has faced in a rich and successful career.
“Lewis is the guy with the overwhelming experience,” Atlas said. “If Lewis goes in there and shows that experience, you'll find out very quickly if Michael Grant belongs. Michael needs to get confidence, and it's up to Lennox not to give Grant anything to be confident about. No matter what you've done in the gym, until you get in the ring again there are still questions in your head."
