IF Lennox Lewis beats Evander Holyfield in tonight's world heavyweight unification bout, Chris Eubank can take some of the credit.

Becuase the Brighton-based Argus columnist loaned Lennox Lewis a special small punchbag to sharpen his jab during training in the run-up to the Madison Square Garden clash.

It is the jab which Eubank sees as Lewis' route to victory in tomorrow's unification fight, although Eubank stopped short of making out and out predictions.

The former WBO champion is in New York to do commentary work for Talk Radio, and said: "The strategy is this: For Holyfield it is get inside and fight at close range; for Lewis he must not let Holyfield come close. He's got to move and keep him on the end of his jab.

"If he can do that for six rounds then I think Lennox will do it. But if Evander closes the distance then it looks like Holyfield."

Elsewhere, opinion is divided among the experts.

Former world featherweight champion Barry McGuigan said: "Lewis has produced some great results, we've seen flashes of brilliance from him in the fights against Razor Ruddock and Andrew Golota. But I've never seen him fight consistently in a blood-and-guts fight.

"There's a good chance Lewis can stop him in the first nine minutes. But Lewis lacks stamina, he lacks the ability to fight up close.

"It's my opinion that a guy as heavy cannot fight at full pelt more than five or six rounds.

"He can't do it. The heart isn't big enough to supply the blood with oxygen. You get fatigued and the motor skills start to go. I like Lewis an awful lot and I hope I'm wrong - I have to go with Holyfield."

Ex-WBO featherweight champion Colin McMillan said: "Lewis has waited a long time for this chance and it's exactly the fight he needs to raise his game. When he is not motivated, it shows.

"But he rises to the occasion when he has to. He is the bigger man and he has the inspiration of trying to prove wrong his American critics.

"Holyfield's been a tremendous champion but he's had so many wars and that kind of wear and tear will show in a fight like this, where the other guy has overwhelming physical advantages. I go for Lewis on points."

Eddie Futch, the legendary American trainer, said: "You have to take charge against Holyfield, you have to set the pace. Lewis uses his jab and that good right hand to keep his man out at a distance.

"He likes to work but he doesn't like the pressure and if you hurt Holyfield he'll get right after you.

"Holyfield did a masterful job on Tyson. If he comes near to that performance, he'll beat Lewis."

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