By Andre de Vries
Hasim Rahman, challenger to Lennox Lewis for the heavyweight championship of the world, arrived
in Johannesburg to a tumultuous reception this afternoon, local time. An obviously tired and jaded looking Rahman
was hustled into the VIP lounge for a formal reception, where various dignitaries welcomed him, Stan Hoffman and
other members of the party to South Africa. A short open question-and-answer session with "The Rock"
followed:
There are long odds against you beating Lewis. How do you see the fight?
I don't agree. Lewis' reputation was built against the likes of Grant and Tua, but I am a different proposition.
I have come to fight, and have plenty of heart.
How do you feel about fighting in the early hours of the morning (to fit in with prime time in the USA)?
I have lots of time to adjust, and don't see it as a problem.
There is a lot of talk and focus on a Lewis vs Tyson fight. Do you think this might affect either your or Lewis's
performance?
Listen, the next fight will be me against Tyson, not Lewis vs Tyson.
What do you think your strategy for this fight will be?
It depends on how Lewis shapes up. I am very adaptable, and will adjust to what happens on the night.
How important is it for you to be fighting in South Africa?
I'm honored to be here, and will give the people of South Africa something they have never seen before.
Do you think that your arrival nearly two weeks before Lewis is going to give you an advantage?
No, I don't really think so. Lewis will arrive in plenty of time. He has a world-class trainer, he's the champ,
and he knows what to do.
Apparently Cedric Kushner has asked John Robinson of the WBU to relieve you of the WBU heavyweight title you
won from Corrie Sanders. Is this true?
Stan Hoffman replied: We see the other titles as a step up from the WBU title, not to denigrate that
title in any way. As of now, we relinquish the WBU heavyweight title.
Tell us about your loss to Tua.
Tua never beat me. He caught me after the bell, when my hands were down. I was never given time to recuperate
after an illegal blow. I was boxing his head off, and was way ahead when he caught me with a left hook after the
bell, after I had dropped my hands. He never beat me.
If you beat Lewis, will you consider giving Corrie Sanders a rematch?
I understand that he has been inactive since he fought me. I would like to fight the best, and if he is not
in the top 10, I will fight someone else. Perhaps we could have Rahman vs Tyson here?
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