CROATIAN PRIME MINISTER RECEIVES CROATIAN PRIME BOXER

( Editorial: --> 6282 ) ZAGREB, Oct 6 (Hina) - Croatian Prime Minister Zlatko Matesa on Tuesday received the best European heavy-weight boxer, Croatia's Zeljko Mavrovic. On September 27 in Uncasville, Mavrovic lost against Great Britain's Lennox Lewis in a match for the title of champion of the world. "Your match not only had a sporting, but also a promotional significance for our country. I watched CNN's announcement of the match and was proud of your replies and expressions of high culture with which you presented our country with dignity," Matesa said. Thanking Matesa for the reception, Mavrovic said he had given his best during the match and during the preparations. He added that at news conferences he always tried to expand the extent of questions and provide information about his way of life, but also about Croatia. "Despite my good physical condition, I did not use the best tactics during the match, because, had I known that I had the advantage after the first three rounds, I would have taken a different approach," Mavrovic said. He admitted that after the seventh round, he had no chance against currently the best boxer in the world. After the match with Lewis, I proved that Europe has good boxers whom America will have to seriously count with, Mavrovic added. (hina) lml 061844 MET oct 98