Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Pastimes : Boxing: The Sweet Science -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: MulhollandDrive who wrote (2489)	3/28/2001 11:39:30 PM
From: LPS5	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 10489

Rahman claims he can flatten Lewis March 27 2001 at 08:10PM Hasim Rahman, who has dedicated his bout against Lennox Lewis at Carnival City on April 22 to Nelson Mandela, has relinquished the WBU title at the suggestion of the WBC, IBF and IBO. This was only revealed on the American's arrival here on Tuesday and confirmed by the London-based WBU president, Jon Robinson. Rahman's manager, Steve Hoffman, said that there was concern raised by WBC, IBF and IBO. "They preferred not to have the WBU title at stake and we decided to relinquish it. That does not mean we are negating the WBU," said Hoffman. He had mixed feelings about fighting outside America Robinson said the suggestion to relinquish the WBU belt was proposed to him by Rahman's US-based promoter Cedric Kushner. "We don't step in anybody's way as long as Rahman can make money," said Robinson, whose organisation's chief executive officer Wallied Solomons, was at the airport to welcome Rahman. Rahman, looking fresh and confident, said he had mixed feelings about fighting outside America: "I discussed the whole matter with my family and Nelson Mandela was a big point in me coming here. I look forward to shaking the world for him. I'm going to give South Africa something they'll never forget." Besides Hoffman, Rahman, known as "The Rock", is here with trainer Adrian Davies, who trained the American boxing team at the 1972 Olympics, sparring partners Derrick Brown and Cisee Salif, his father John and his younger brother Ibn. On the fight itself, he is confident he will be crowned the new champion of the world. "Personally I don't believe the fight will last the distance. However it goes, I'll be wearing that belt. Lewis will try to make this an early knockout and that will be his downfall," he said. The current heavyweight crop is weak He doesn't think Lewis, whom he describes as "a great champion" will be affected by his scheduled April 9 arrival. "There is plenty of time for Lewis. He's the world champion and has beaten everybody in his generation. He is a professional. He knows what he is doing," said Rahman. He said he has no set strategy to use against Lewis. But he is ready to adjust to whatever Lewis offers on the night and is not bothered by Lewis' reach "because I've got a pretty long reach myself". Asked whether he felt he was being overlooked with ongoing talks taking place over a a Lewis-Mike Tyson bout in the future, Rahman said the fight is more likely to be between him and Tyson. Although he has not moulded his style to any past or present champion, Rahman said he can mix and match: "I can put together a jab like Larry Holmes and short punches like Joe Louis." Rahman said the current heavyweight crop was weak: "Any fighter in the division can beat anybody any day. Lewis is dominant now. He's proved he's a great champion by fighting anyone. But the past champions were better and classier fighters. Today everything is generated by money."