Pocono, PA (BoxingGurus.com) - Lennox Lewis came out of hiding for one day to show the boxing media that he is refocused and in great shape and ready to reclaim the IBF & WBC Heavyweight titles that he lost from Hasim Rahman on April 21st. Rahman/Lewis II is scheduled to take place on Saturday, November 17, 2001 at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, NV and will be televised on HBO PPV. Lewis, who is training in the mountains of Northeast Pennsylvania at the Caesars Pocono Resort at Brookdale, is undefeated when he has trained there.

Lewis plans to keep that trend going, "It's only a little short recess as my titles are on loan to Hasim Rahman. I can't wait for this fight to come in three weeks. That is how long Rahman has to be champion."

Emanuel Steward, Lewis' trainer, thinks he will be victorious, but not without a solid challenge. "He (Lewis) has to be, and he is, totally focused. I don't think this will be a walkover fight for either fighter." Steward even stated that he would not be surprised to see Lewis get hurt/stunned by Rahman again, but thinks Rahman is very one-dimensional and Lewis only needs to watch out for his right hand.

Steward still thinks his fighter is one of the most talented Heavyweights he has ever seen, which is a lot coming from a man who was in Muhammad Ali's camp on many different occasions.

Lewis, a 4-1 favorite at most Las Vegas sports books, looked to be in great shape as his body was well defined. He has been training since August 11th and been in the Pocono's now for about 5 weeks. Lewis' current weight, 255 pounds, is right at about where he was for the Rahman fight, 253 pounds. Lewis did admit he was a bit higher in weight than he would like for the first Rahman fight and said he will be around 247 come November 17th.

Lewis sees this fight as career defining as he has said he will retire if he is not victorious. "If I lose to Rahman, I don't believe I should go ahead in boxing." Steward agrees, "This is a fight that will determine his (Lewis') spot in history."

Lewis and Steward were fairly tight lipped when it came to the rumble that occurred on the set of ESPN's "Up Close" a few weeks back. Lewis did say that he was glad that nobody threw any punches and that nobody got hurt, so the fight did not get postponed.

When asked about the gameplan and keys to the rematch, Lewis said, "Realizing he's (Rahman) got a great punch we need to make sure my defense is up. (Last time) I took him a bit lightly and wasn't aware he could throw a punch like that."

Lewis' jab was taking its toll on Rahman in the first fight as Rahman's eye was closing up and he was pawing at it continually and that was after only 4 rounds. Lewis is focusing on his jab and thinks that it will be the deciding factor in the rematch. "My jab is coming out like a lethal weapon. Not many people can stop my jab. I'm a pugilist specialist"

Lewis isn't predicting a knockout, but obviously he thinks he will be victorious. "If the opportunity presents itself, I will KO him, but I don't see him KOing me again. I'll take it (a victory) anyhow it comes."

One thing is for sure, Lewis' career is on the line November 17th and what people think of his status in the history of boxing is also on the line. But a victory will bring him fruits that can't possibly be imagined. Lewis wouldn't talk about what's next after Rahman, but one HBO official in attendance couldn't help but smile as he said, "Tyson is waiting in the wings." With a victory over Rahman, Tyson will most likely be next if HBO and Showtime can work out a deal, but that is a big if.