Holyfield says $20 million isn't enough

If promoters expect Evander Holyfield to step into a ring with Lennox Lewis, they better come up with a lot of money.

Holyfield, in town Thursday for an LL Cool J concert, told the Dothan Eagle he wants a guaranteed $25 million before he'll agree to fight Lewis.Holyfield, the reigning WBA and IBF champion, said he rejected a $20 million offer earlier this week.

"They're going to have to come up with a little more money than $20 million," Holyfield told The Eagle. "This fight is bigger now than it was 10 months ago and the whole world is saying, `We want to see this fight.'

"I know the fight is bigger, but should I take $20 million?. No, I want $5 million more."

Lewis is the WBC champion, so the winner of the fight would be the undisputed heavyweight champion.

Seth Abraham, president of Time Warner Sports and operator of HBO cable television, offered $20 million to Holyfield and $10 million to Lewis for a bout on Dec. 5 or 12.

"If we have to wait to do it in the year 2000, I will," Holyfield said. "I'm going to keep on winning and I'm sure Lennox will keep on winning because I'm the only guy out there who'll whip him."