The champion is also facing a legal battle with promoter Panos Eliades.
While Frank Maloney, Lewis' manager, was confirming Tuesday that the fight
will be held in South Africa and not at Las Vegas, Eliades was announcing he is
suing Lewis for $2.5 million.
Lewis, meanwhile, has filed a complaint against Eliades with the British
Boxing Board of Control.
Maloney said the fight would be held indoors and in the early hours of the
morning local time to suit American television.
"If the fight takes place in South Africa, it will be telecast live in
prime time in the United States by HBO," Ross Greenburg, president of HBO
Sports, said in New York.
"It is just outside Johannesburg, Carnival City," Maloney said. "I was in
South Africa last week viewing the site and looking at the facilities. They are
first-class. The only problem is obviously the fight is 1,000 feet above sea
level, so we will have to move there at least four weeks before the fight to
prepare for it."
Eliades, who said the Lewis camp "is trying to get rid" of him," has
instructed lawyers in New York to begin legal action. He said he is owed for
Lewis' fights with Francois Botha and David Tua.
"If he fights Rahman and goes on to fight (Mike) Tyson I could receive
substantial sums. I would think if he paid me $10 million today I would walk
away from him," Eliades said.
"Panos Eliades has no right to hold himself out as promoting any future
Lennox Lewis bouts or representing Lennox Lewis in any capacity whatsoever in
relation to any future bouts," said a statement released by Lewis' office in
London and made available by Main Event, Lewis' American promoter.