'The Rock' Rahman targets heavyweight title again
Hasim Rahman, who famously relieved Lennox Lewis of his heavyweight
titles in 2001, bids to become world champion once again on Saturday
when he tackles Russia's WBA belt-holder Alexander Povetkin in Hamburg.
Despite his 40th birthday fast approaching, the American believes his
record of 50 victories in his 60 fights -- 41 inside the distance -- can
stand up to examination.
"When I am on top, nobody can absorb the power of my punches," said
Rahman.
The likes of Lewis can testify to that. The Briton lost his WBC and
IBF crowns in 2001 in a stunning fifth round knockout in South Africa
before he regained them in a fourth-round knock-out seven months later.
The Baltimore fighter, nicknamed "The Rock", then lost to Wladimir
Klitschko in 2008 in Mannheim when the IBF, WBO and IBO titles were up
for grabs.
Rahman has won his last five fights, but all were low-key events.
Povetkin, 33, defeated Ruslan Chagaeva in 2008 to win the WBA
heavyweight title and has defended it with wins over Cedric Boswell and
Marco Huck.
He has also called upon the expertise of Russian-born Australian
Kostya Tszyu, the former world light welterweight champion.
"We have been building up my strong points and trying to eradicate
the weaker parts to make me a more complete boxer," said Povetkin,
nicknamed "The White Tiger".
AFP |