Even with Evander Holyfield's constant words of faith, God couldn't this be unfair.

But the judges of boxing? That is another story, a sordid one that somehow allowed last night's fight for the undisputed heavyweight championship of the world end in a draw, despite a complete domination by Lewis. The sellout crowd of 21,284 at Madison Square Garden - even those who favored Holyfield - groaned in outrage as the decision was read.

The final stats from CompuBox told half the story: Lewis threw 613 punches and connected on 348, while Holyfield threw only 385 and landed 130. In fact, Lewis landed more jabs (187) than Holyfield did total punches. In six of the 12 rounds, Holyfield landed fewer than 10 punches, including only one in the second.

The other half was told by the boxer's faces. As the final seconds of the 12th round clicked away, Lewis, the WBC belt holder, raised his arm in victory to his corner. Holyfield, the IBF and WBA champion, looking drained from a fight of frustration, laid his head to rest on the ropes. It was obvious who had won.

"I'm so disappointed," Lewis said. "It was my time to shine and they ripped me off. I am the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world and the whole world knows that. What happened there is what you call politics. I felt like I won the fight hands down. [Holyfield] should give me those two belts because he knows they're mine."

Judge Regina Williams, of Atlantic City, scored the fight 115-113 in favor of Holyfield, while Stanley Christodolou, of South Africa, had it 116-113 Lewis. Amazingly, Larry O'Connell, from Lewis' native Great Britain, offered 115-115.

"I had it 9-3, Lennox," said Harold Lederman, the judge for the TVKO's pay-per-view telecast.

"I feel ashamed of what happened tonight," said Roy Jones Jr.

Emanuel Steward, Lewis' trainer, was among the stunned and sickened. "He controlled the fight," he said. "It wasn't even close. This is what's killing boxing. It was a total mismatch. Holyfield couldn't even be his sparring partner."

Holyfield (36-3-1), looking old, his face puffy and scraped, said meekly. "I thought I won. I did the best I could. People in the ring are not the judges."

What this means is that both fighters keep their titles. Yes, there was pining of a rematch. "Let's do it again!" promoter Don King cackled.

Lewis (34-1-1) offered to do it next month. "But I doubt he is going to box me," he said.

Holyfield said, "If he wants to get it on, we will again."

"I thought we won the last four rounds to win the fight," said Don Turner, Holyfield's trainer. "But it was close. It was definitely close. But I'm not complaining."

The crowd stood in quiet anticipation for several minutes waiting for the fighters to enter the ring. Only intermittent soccer chants and a chorus from old navy fight song Britania Rules the Waves, by the large British contingency in the crowd of 21,284, especially in the blue seats, broke the silence. Finally, after a standing 10-bell tribute to Joe DiMaggio and lengthy versions of both national anthems, the stirring began. Lewis, accompanied by a huge British flag and a Bob Marley song, appeared first wearing the red, gold and green colors of his Jamaican descent.

Holyfield followed in his purple Warrior Wear, angels' wings sprouting across the back of his satin robe. He was smiling and singing. He looked confident.

But the only round that he won clearly was his pre-fight prediction round - the third. With the crowd buzzing, Holyfield tagged Lewis with two big overhand rights. He had boxed in corner, pelting him with combos. Lewis' legs were wobbly. But he survived without going down, and took over the rest of the fight.

Lewis landed big shots against Holyfield in the fifth. He had him along the ropes, banging him with three-punch combinations. Holyfield did nothing for 45 seconds but cover up. Lewis won the sixth and seventh in similar fashion. He owned this fight.

In front of a sellout crowd that included Keith Richards and Chris Rock, Jack Nicholson, Bo Derek, Patrick Ewing and Bill Parcells, Holyfield commanded center of the most storied stage in the world. In a ring 75 years old, Holyfield, 36, proved an artifact against a younger, taller fighter in desperate search of his due.

Lewis got it.

Meanwhile, Holyfield - the one-time cruiserweight champion, supposed puffed-up heavyweight, then supposedly charred fighter because of a heart problem and eroded skills - failed to join Muhammad Ali as the only three-time undisputed heavyweight champion.

"This is not a prediction," Holyfield had said of his call to end the fight in three rounds, "it is the truth."

He cited no reason other than that's what God told him. Three rounds "jumped out" of his spirit.

Lewis called the prophecy absurd.

And it was. Only the decision was more absurd.

-- Anthony L. Gargano - 3/13/99