THE SIDELINES : Douglas Foresees Late KO

COLUMBUS, Ohio — James (Buster) Douglas, wrapping up the first phase of his training, predicts a late knockout of Evander Holyfield in their Oct. 25 heavyweight championship fight in Las Vegas.

“I foresee a knockout,” Douglas said. “Maybe the fifth round is early. But I’ll catch him in the later rounds, probably, once he slows down and starts wanting to trade punches.”

Douglas, who knocked out Mike Tyson on Feb. 11 in Tokyo to win the title, leaves Sunday morning for Las Vegas to begin the second half of his preparations for Holyfield.

The early weeks of training, usually the most difficult for a fighter, have gone well for Douglas, said trainer J. D. McCauley.

“He used to be one of those guys who would eat things he shouldn’t,” McCauley said. “But now we’re dealing with a different person. That’s why his weight has come off so good.”

Douglas weighs around 245 pounds and is looking to reach 230 or 229 by the time he steps on the scales the day before the fight. He weighed 231 against Tyson.