Lewis can’t be too sure

World Boxing Council (WBC) and International Boxing Organization (IBO) heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis can’t afford to take challenger Vitali Klitschko lightly in their scheduled 12-round title bout at the Staples Center in Los Angeles this morning (Manila time).

Lewis, 37, has a dangerous habit of looking beyond opponents he doesn’t respect. Remember Oliver McCall in 1994. Lewis was knocked out in two. Remember Hasim Rahman in 2001. Lewis was stopped in five. Sure, Lewis avenged both setbacks in rematches. But the stigma of losing to unheralded foes has put some doubt on Lewis’ mental state to be ready for war against underdogs.

To be sure, Klitschko is a big underdog. He’s a late substitute for Kirk Johnson who backed out of a Lewis appointment two weeks ago due to an injury. Klitschko was booked to fight Cedric Boswell in the undercard so when he was asked to take Johnson’s spot, it was like destiny calling.

Klitschko, 31, is no slouch. He boasts a 32-1 record, with 31 KOs, and his only loss was a weird surrender to Chris Byrd due to a shoulder injury in Berlin three years ago. Klitschko led on the scorecards when he tore his rotator cuff and gave up on his stool. He underwent surgery and was back in the ring after seven months to outpoint previously unbeaten Timo Hoffman for the European crown. Klitschko has racked up five straight wins since the Byrd fiasco.

In his most recent outing last November, Klitschko won every round and decked Larry Donald thrice en route to a 10th round demolition in Dortmund. In contrast, Lewis hasn’t fought since trouncing Mike Tyson in eight in Memphis last June.

Klitschko is nicknamed "Iron Fist." He was born in Kyrgyzstan and lived in Kazakhstan, Russia, Lithuania and the Czech Republic before his family settled in Ukraine in 1985. His father Wladimir is a colonel in the Ukranian Air Force and his mother was a teacher.

Klitschko learned how to box while his father was stationed in the Czech Republic. He compiled an amateur record of 195-15 and captured the world military title in 1995. Klitschko also dabbled in wrestling and kickboxing. Although he was immersed in combat sports, Klitschko never left school and eventually earned a doctorate in sports science at the University of Kiev.

In 1996, Klitschko and his younger brother Wladimir–who was born in Kazakhstan–turned pro. Three years later, Klitschko knocked out Herbie Hide in two to wrest the World Boxing Organization (WBO) heavyweight crown. He repulsed two challengers then lost the title to Byrd.

Klitschko said he won’t be fulfilled as a fighter until he beats Lewis, Tyson and Byrd, not necessarily in that order. Byrd is now the International Boxing Federation (IBF) titlist. The World Boxing Association (WBA) recognizes Roy Jones as heavyweight champion.

Klitschko lives in Hamburg with his wife Natalia and their two children. He is unlike most fighters in that he is well-educated. The Klitschko brothers recently published a fitness essay which was nominated for a literary award and were named "Heroes for Children" by the United Nations for contributing to provide education for disadvantaged kids. They are fluent in German, Russian, Ukranian, and English.

When Lewis filmed the "Ocean’s Eleven" remake in Las Vegas two years ago, the Klitschkos got a close look at the champion. Wladimir was Lewis’ opponent in the movie while Vitali worked his brother’s corner. The Klitschkos were unimpressed by Lewis’ work ethic. Lewis shot the move sequences in a day then two weeks later, fought Rahman in South Africa and was knocked out.

"Lewis is a smart guy but he can be overconfident," said Klitschko. "Lewis is not always 100 percent prepared to fight."

Boxing writer Graham Houston said Klistchko is "strong, mechanically efficient, he can hit and his height will always be a problem" for his opponent.

Lewis isn’t used to fighting taller foes and he’s giving up three inches in height to Klitschko. But what’s seriously worrying oddsmakers is Lewis’ bloated weight. Lewis tipped the scales at 256 1/2 pounds, the heaviest in his career, for Klitschko and that could be an indication of a lack of preparation.

Klitschko said Lewis is the past and he’s the future. This morning, they’ll settle who’s the present in the world heavyweight landscape.

The fight will be aired simulcast via satellite on RPN-9 and Solar Sports cable channel 29 at 10 this morning. Replay will be on IBC-13 at 7 tomorrow night.