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Wednesday, June 4, 1997
Turner: "Evander has Tyson's number"
LAS VEGAS (AP) -- Donald Turner didn't have much doubt about the outcome the first time Evander Holyfield fought Mike Tyson.
With their rematch less than a month away, Holyfield's trainer is even more convinced about his fighter's chances the second time around.
"I think personally that Evander has Tyson's number," Turner said Wednesday. "He's a good fighter but I just think Tyson was over-rated by the press anyway.
"It was relatively easy the first time. We just want to make it easier this time."
Turner, in a conference call from Holyfield's training camp in Houston, said the WBA heavyweight champion has trained better than he did for the first fight and his ahead of schedule for the June 28 rematch in Las Vegas.
The postponement of the rematch from May 3 after Tyson suffered a cut next to his eye actually helped Holyfield get stronger Turner said.
"He's probably stronger this time and his timing is better," he said. "At this point he's handling these guys (sparring partners) much better than he handled them three to four weeks before the first fight."
Holyfield, as much as a 20-1 underdog for the first fight, remains a 2-1 underdog for the rematch, despite having knocked Tyson out in the 11th round of the Nov. 9 bout.
It will be the richest fight in history, with Holyfield due to earn about $35 million and Tyson around $30 million.
Turner dismissed claims by Tyson last month that he hadn't prepared properly for the first fight. He said there was little that the former champion could do to offset Holyfield's talents in the rematch.
Tyson brought in a veteran trainer Richie Giachetti to help him prepare for the rematch and has been working on throwing more jabs and moving his head more.
"I don't think any fighter can change that much," Turner said. "He can fight harder and he can fight longer, but as far as technique he can't change much.
"There's not enough time. He's been fighting 20 years and for him to think in six months he can make adjustments is ludicrous."
