Rahman Bomaye! Lewis is KO'ed in Africa
by Thomas Gerbasi
It was only back in February when the House's Michael Katz reported Hasim Rahman's reluctance to travel outside of the United States to challenge for Lennox Lewis' heavyweight title. Two months later, he changed his tune. "I didn't feel nervous one time since the fight was made," said Rahman shortly after becoming the heavyweight champion of the world by knocking out a lethargic and overconfident Lewis with a single right hand in the fifth round of their bout at the Carnival City Casino in Brakpan, South Africa.
What a difference a crown makes. "I love South Africa," Rahman bellowed. "Let's do it again."
For the Baltimore resident, scoring one of the biggest upsets in recent boxing history may have something to do with his sudden love for traveling. And the boxing world can't say they didn't see this upset coming, much like Lewis didn't see the right hand that separated him from his title 2:32 into the fifth.
"I felt great going in," said Lewis, dismissing talk that he was out of shape for his fourth world title defense. But at a soft 253 pounds, in no way did Lennox look the part of a dedicated pro. Plus, his heavy breathing in the early rounds made his decision to film a movie role in Las Vegas as opposed to spending time in the high altitude of South Africa a costly one.
Conversely, Rahman wisely arrived in South Africa on March 27 to acclimate himself to the 5,700 foot elevation. "I felt that if I didn't train properly he would have the edge," said Rahman. And from the opening bell it was the challenger who actually made an effort to fight. He jabbed repeatedly at Lewis' belly, and despite his considerable advantage in size, the Brit could only muster a few weak jabs in retaliation at Rahman.
In the second and third rounds, Lewis opened up a bit, measuring and throwing fight ending bombs at the challenger. None hit the mark cleanly, but soon a swelling rose on Rahman's left eye, and it seemed like a matter of time before 'The Rock' would crumble and Lewis would prevail, much to the delight of anyone who bet for him with the 15 to 1 pre fight odds.
Lewis' breathing became more labored in the fourth stanza, and while his movement slowed, he still tried every trick in the book to gain an advantage, including shots behind Rahman's head, and his old staple of holding and hitting.
Rahman refused to back down though, as he would swarm back at Lewis, landing little of note, but enough to gain his opponent's respect. The House had it even after four, but as Rahman returned to his corner, a cut had opened on his left eyebrow.
As the fifth round opened, Rahman repeatedly pawed at the eye, backpedaled far enough away from Lewis to be perfectly in range of his long right hand, and stopped throwing punches. It looked as if Rahman was preparing for a place to fall when he lunged at Lewis with a crisp right hand to the face. Lewis smiled as Rahman spun around him, either unwilling or unable to chase after the defenseless challenger.
Lewis' hands dropped lower and lower as he disdainfully followed Rahman, and again, the challenger found the energy to jab Lewis across the ring and into the ropes. Seconds later, a flush right hand exploded on Lewis' jaw, and the champion dropped as if shot; flat on his back and ten seconds away from becoming an ex-champion. "I thought I beat the count," said Lewis, but this was no controversial stoppage ala Lennox' loss to Oliver McCall in 1997.
"No Lennox and Tyson," said Rahman repeatedly in a joyous post-fight interview, and while Iron Mike may be crying somewhere over losing a huge payday against Lewis, one has to believe that Tyson's chances to win back his heavyweight crown would be greater against 'The Rock', who lifts his record to 35-2, with 29 KOs. "I'll fight Tyson," said the new champ. "We'll bring him to Africa."
Lewis (38-2-1, 29 KOs), who holds a rematch clause with Rahman, may have to wait a little longer to get revenge, as WBC rules mandate that when a title changes hands, the mandatory challenger gets the next fight. The WBC's number one contender? Mike Tyson.
AND WHAT ABOUT MIKE: Obviously Tyson either thought this was going to be a walkover for Lewis, or just didn't care, as he was at a concert tonight in Las Vegas, and couldn't be reached for comment. Tyson advisor Shelly Finkel was on the horn though, and he told the House's Michael Katz, "I would have liked Mike to knock out Lennox, but I'll take this. It's just as good." Finkel, who joined many who thought Rahman was looking to surrender early in the fifth round, turned to his wife and daughter before the fight and said, "This is a little scary." What won't be scary is Tyson getting in the ring with Rahman.
And while Finkel admits, "It's not as big as Lennox," he states, "This is legitimate. He (Rahman) KO'ed Lennox Lewis. He also had no idea what the fight would be worth, but believed Rahman would get twice as much money to fight Tyson as he would for a rematch with Lewis. First, though, Tyson has to deal with David Izon on June 2nd, a fight Finkel says is still on, "as of now."
ODDS AND ENDS: What distinction does Mike Weaver hold? Out of five heavyweight title fights held on the continent of Africa, 'Hercules' is the only champion to leave with the title belt he came in with. He successfully defended his WBA crown on Oct. 25, 1980 with a 13th round stoppage of Gerrie Coetzee in Sun City...And before the E-mails flood in, yes, I know that the 1979 Tate-Coetzee fight was for the vacant WBA belt...Who's more upset about the losses of Prince Naseem Hamed and now, Lennox Lewis? England or HBO? |
