Boxing: Duva's low blow to Lewis

Low blows, the trademark of the Pole Andrew Golota, where meted out by his trainer, Lou Duva, yesterday in the direction of Lennox Lewis's reputation.

"Lennox is no angel," said the veteran Duva, who is preparing Golota for his challenge against the British World Boxing Council heavyweight champion at the Atlantic City Convention Center on 4 October. "Lewis can be as dirty as Golota used to be."

Golota was involved in two infamous fights with Riddick Bowe in which he was twice disqualified for low blows while on the way to victory.

Duva added: "Lennox has got away with it in the past. As world champion you can. He kept hitting Henry Akinwande behind the head in his last fight and should have lost a couple of points. That hurts more than going low and hitting someone in the protective cup."

Golota, a solid hitter, should prove the hardest test of Lewis's ability, as his two fights with Bowe illustrate. Should he win, Lewis could then face the World Boxing Association champion, Evander Holyfield.