Legal firestorm commences!
by Karl Freitag
Lennox Lewis has filed the first of many lawsuits sure to arise from promoter Don King's sudden $25 million signing of heavyweight champion Hasim Rahman. Lawyers for Lewis filed the reported $50 million lawsuit Friday in US District Court of New York against Rahman and King for breach of contract.
Lewis business manager Adrian Ogun says a lawsuit against Rahman's longtime promoter Cedric Kushner is forthcoming. Lewis' promoter Main Events is preparing to file suit against King for tortious interference. Meanwhile, Kushner, who believes he has Rahman under contract, is planning to sue Rahman and King within the next few days. Rahman, who has consulted well known attorney Milt Chwasky, maintains his promotional deal with Kushner lapsed when Kushner was tardy with a $75,000 payment.
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There's more. Mike Tyson advisor Shelly Finkel has indicated that Tyson will be headed to court to make sure the WBC enforces Iron Mike's mandatory title challenge due by November 11. Of course, still pending is a lawsuit filed by David Tua to have the IBF portion of Rahman's title declared vacant due to a rematch clause in the Lewis-Rahman contract, which is against IBF rules.
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King gave Rahman $500,000 cash and a check for $4.5 million as a signing bonus in the wee hours Friday morning.
$5 million more will follow when Rahman faces likely opponent Super-Brian Nielsen August 4 in China.
Then Rahman will either earn $15 million against the Holyfield-Ruiz III winner for the unified WBC/WBA/IBF title.
If he wins that fight, he'll then earn $20 million against Lewis or $30 million against Tyson.
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LPS5 note: Wow. That's a pretty sweet package, huh. If Hasim can keep his feet on the ground, this will be a great deal for him and his family.
While I understand the need for HBO, Showtime, and 'handlers' to invest prudently and make decisions based upon what they see - and not what might happen - since they are, after all, businesses...I'm sure there was some arrogance in the way they treated (and didn't treat) Rahman, and for that reason - good for him.
Screw 'em. :-) |
