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Sunday, April 22 Updated: April 23, 3:29 PM ET Rahman group wants defense before rematch Reuters |
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LONDON Hasim Rahman seems likely to make Lennox Lewis wait a year for a rematch, according to the new world heavyweight champion's minders.
"I believe we are going to look to have one voluntary defense. After that, if Lennox wants it, that's fine with us," Rahman's co-manager Stan Hoffman was quoted as saying on the BBC's Web site Monday.
Rahman upset Lewis with a fifth-round knockout in Johannesburg, South Africa on Sunday morning to snatch the WBC and IBF titles. A clause in the fight contract gives Lewis a rematch.
"The contract stipulates a rematch within five months. With the negotiations you need for a big promotion we can honor our promise, let's say, within a year. If Lennox wants to do it, he deserves it," he said.
Co-manager Steve Nelson said: "We want Rock (Rahman) to defend his title within three, maybe four months, then we can sit down and look at a rematch."
Hoffman virtually ruled out a fight with former champion Mike Tyson before the rematch with Lewis.
"I want Tyson to be the real big one, but I don't see how we can put that on in three months," he said.
Tyson is due to fight Nigerian David Izon in June. |
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