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| November 16, 2001 | Friday | Shaba'an 29, 1422 |
Rahman predicts knockout victory
LAS VEGAS (Nevada), Nov 15: Hasim Rahman predicted has that Saturday’s world heavyweight title fight rematch with Lennox Lewis would once again end in a knockout victory for the American.
But a seething Lewis was in no mood to listen Rahman’s boasts on Wednesday, as the former-champion and his entourage walking off the stage during a press conference refusing to pose for the traditional pre-fight photograph.
“I’m not looking for a decision, I’m looking to knock Lennox Lewis out,” screamed Rahman, who stunned Lewis and the boxing world last April in South Africa when he floored Lewis with thundering right in the fifth round to claim the Briton’s World Boxing Council (WBC) and International Boxing Federation (IBF) titles.
“I can say, I will knock Lennox Lewis out.
“Look, he’s scared of me.
“Come back, I promised wouldn’t hit you in the mouth until November 17.
“I don’t know why you’re scared of me, I promised I wouldn’t hit you.”
A stoic Lewis (38-2), who has a genuine dislike for his Rahman (35-2) labelling his opponent a one-punch wonder, refused to make similar predictions saying only that he expected a tough fight and emerge the winner.
“Enough has been said, it’s time for action,” Lewis said. “I’m going to leave all the talking to my counterpart over there.
“I’ll do the fighting.
“We’ve got three days to go and I’m counting down the days until I can show the world the true champion I am.
“Some people think Rahman is going to come in and run me over in the first round. It’s been tried before.
“But anything he tries I’m ready for, I’m bringing some thunder too.
“I’m ready to fight now. Lennox Lewis will be victorious.”—Reuters
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