No carnival for Corrie

Tough customer Cole will give WBU champion Sanders a serious workout

Reports by CLINTON VAN DER BERG/ Suntimes.co.za/ Feb., 2000

Cole, a former cruiserweight champion who made five title defences, might not be in the upper reaches of the heavyweights, but he is a fine boxer who could pose problems for the southpaw champion.

The New Yorker relinquished his title four years ago to have a go among the heavyweights.

Although the move has produced mixed results - two defeats in his first three fights as a heavyweight - Cole showed against Michael Grant and Kirk Johnson that he can stand up to the best big men and cause them problems.

Grant is the only fighter to have beaten Cole inside the distance, stopping him in the 10th almost three years ago, so it would do Sanders's reputation the world of good were he to do a more thorough job than Grant, who next fights Lennox Lewis for the world heavyweight championship in April.

The rumour mill has it that Sanders could be in the Lewis mix before the end of 2000, so expect the WBU champion to crank it up against Cole on Saturday.

Cole out for southpaw Sanders

February 13 2000

By Phil Nyamane

Former IBF cruiserweight champion Al "Ice" Cole says he was not interested in fighting WBU heavyweight champion Corrie Sanders in South Africa when he was first offered the bout.

He changed his mind after watching a tape of Sanders stopping Bobby Czyz in the second of a 12-round bout in December and is convinced he is the first real serious opponent the South African will be facing.

The two meet on the Nashua "Night of the Legends" bill at Carnival City in Brakpan on Saturday night which includes three world title fights and a national title.

Looking back at when Sanders won the then vacant title, Cole says: "Ross Puritty did not throw a lot of punches when Corrie beat him for the vacant title (in November '97) and Czyz was way past his best when Corrie stopped him."

Looking conditioned and extremely confident, the former unbeaten IBF champion who relinquished his title after six successful defences, proclaimed: "I'm here to take the crown. Sanders has never fought someone as tall as me."

Taller and more muscular than Sanders, Cole has not been knocked down before. He lost a challenge for Michael Grant's IBC title on a 10th round TKO because of a cut eye and held Kirk Johnson to a 10 rounds draw.

Looking at Sanders' past opponents, Cole says the South African has not fought anyone of note. "I don't even know the names of some of the fighters he has beaten."

Cole admits though that southpaws are awkward and that gives Sanders a slight advantage. "Southpaws are a totally different picture. Any southpaw is a problem. But I've fought southpaws before and have been sparring them before coming here."

He respects the South African's hand speed but warns: "Corrie is used to going forward to his opponents. I wonder whether he'll come to me because I intend going to him."

Sanders and his secret punch

Iol.co.za/ Feb. 2000

British Boxing promoter Panos Eliades will attend the Nashua Night of Legends extravaganza at the Carnival City gambling resort near Brakpan to have a closer look at southpaw World Boxing Union heavyweight Corrie Sanders, who defends his title against American Al Cole.

Eliades has strong links with the camp of WBC/WBA/IBF undisputed heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis. He and American based promoter Cedric Kushner are investigating the possibilities of setting up a meeting between Sanders and Lewis.

It all means that Sanders has to win against Cole in this star studded bill which also features Dingaan Thobela against Soon Botes for the SA super middleweight crown, Sebastiaan Rothmann, who defends his WBU cruiserweight crown against Damon Reed and Masibulele "Hawk" Makepula against Baby Jake Matlala for the vacant WBO junior flyweight title.

It is no secret that the giant Briton (Lewis) has been mulling over a possible defence against Mike Tyson, before agreeing to give a shot to Michael Grant for his triple crown. There has also been talk that Fransie Botha and Sanders are in the queue.

Harold Volbrecht, Sanders' trainer, said their aim is to challenge Lewis. "Fellows like Evander Holyfield, Michael Grant and Kirk Johnson would, because of their styles, pose more problems for Corrie, whereas Lewis is a straightforward boxer who operates rather mechanically behind his one-two combination.

"Yes, I think Corrie could have the beating of him. And if Eliades arrives to cast a view on Corrie, I'll issue a challenge for Lewis to meet Corrie at ringside next Saturday after Corrie had finished off Cole," added Volbrecht.

But Sanders has a helluva a job to do first, and that is to get past Cole in a fight Volbrecht is boasting the South African left hander will unload a "secret punch" of his own which he will unveil on fight night, ideally designed to catapult him into the forefront of world boxing.

"Do not forget that unlike many southpaws, Corrie has an awesome right hand of his own, and we've worked out a number of tactical manoeuvres with which to employ his "uppercut" to full effect", said Volbrecht.

Iol.co.za/ Feb. 2000

South Africa's underrated WBU heavyweight champion Corrie Sanders surely earned recognition world-wide after stopping loud-mouthed Al "Ice" Cole inside the first round in their scheduled 12-rounder in the main supporting bout.

Sanders, who outpointed Ross Purity for the belt in November, 1997, has since stopped all three challengers within a combined four rounds.

Having beaten Bobby Czyz in two and Jorge Valdes in one, Sanders added Cole to list of opponents who have failed to get to the 12th round.

The South African improved to 35 wins, 26 inside the distance, and one defeat while Cole, a former IBF cruiserweight champion, dropped to 30 wins, 5 defeats, and a draw.

Cole, who was saved by referee Dave Parris just a minute and three seconds into the first round, had declared himself the new WBU champion at a press briefing earlier in the week.

IOl.co.za/ Feb. 20, 2000

Turning to Sanders' storming finishing of the former IBF cruiserweight champion, Volbrecht says Sanders (104.50kg) is at his best now. "I'll be at Rodney's back to remind him of (undisputed heavyweight champion) Lennox Lewis.

"Corrie is the most underrated boxert in the world. We'll beat Lewis and Tyson anytime."

If the world does not respect Sanders, then South Africans must have looked at him with a new hope after his speed never gave Cole the chance to get off the starting block.

"Corrie knew I'm a slow starter and he took advantage of that," a dejected Cole (105.70) said afterwards.

The WBU champion said he did not plan to stop his opponent in his third inside-the-distance win in as many defences. "But I love it if I stop them because I don't get overpaid. If I can do it in one why go 12?"

He said he expected a tough fight from the American and added: "I'm over the moon. I showed myself to the people and the world that I'm one of the best in the world."

"Corrie has given the WBU a new dimension," said Berman reflecting on the opinion held by some that WBU champions deserve less respect than WBA, WBC, IBF and WBO champions. "He is the heavyweight champ of the world."

Sanders hopes to line up pay-day

March 21 2000 / iol.co.za

Corrie Sanders is a step closer to earning the Home Box Office cable network dollars he has long been craving for. But he will have to pound his way past some good opponents to achieve that.

That much was clarified by Rodney Berman's announcement that the World Boxing Union heavyweight champion will meet dangerous American, Hasim Shariff Rahman, in the United States on May 20.

Rahman (27), is three years younger than Sanders. He posted a 29-1-0 with 24 knockout record at the end of 1998. His 10 rounds points win over Ross Puritty is the only opponent he shares with Sanders.

The 33-year old Sanders outpointed Puritty over 12 rounds at the Carousel three years ago to win the vacant WBU belt.

Southpaw Sanders's trainer, Harold Volbrecht, knows this is not an easy fight for them. "I've seen Rahman fight twice before. He is a good, smooth boxer with an attractive style. He punches above average for a heavyweight."

Whereas Volbrecht believes this is a tough one for Corrie (36-0-1 with 26 KOs), he is also confident that Rahman will bring the best out of the South African.

"This fight means a lot for Corrie. Rahman is somebody Corrie will have to beat, someone credible if he hopes to be on HBO."

Sanders has yet to go beyond three rounds in the defence of his title. He has fought two-time world cruiserweight champion Bobby Czyz (TKO 2), Jorge Valdez (KO 1) and Al "Ice" Cole (TKO 1).

It's win or bust this time - and Corrie knows it

Rahman battle set to be a turning point.

CLINTON VAN DER BERG/ Suntimes.co.za/ May, 2000/

THREE weeks after Lennox Lewis made a statement of sorts, Corrie Sanders gets his opportunity to do the same.

On Saturday, the southpaw World Boxing Union (WBU) champion defends his title against Hasim Rahman at Bally's Casino in Atlantic City. It is no exaggeration to say that this is a make-or-break fight for the South African. An impressive victory will pave the way towards a shot at Lewis; defeat would practically crush Sanders's hopes of even being mentioned in the same breath as Lewis, David Tua, Evander Holyfield and the rest of the quality heavyweights.

"I'm not even thinking of the possibility," said promoter Rodney Berman. "A loss would be shattering at this point."

Rahman is a good heavyweight, but there can be no doubt that Cedric Kushner, his straight-talking promoter, has instructed him to win or else. Two shock defeats have seen him tumble down the ratings, but he is still dangerous.

In late 1998, he was winning on points against Tua but got caught controversially after the bell had sounded and the referee called it off at the start of the 10th round.

Then, earlier this year, he was expected to cruise past Oleg Maskaev, only for the lumbering Russian to come on strong and finally dump him in a huge upset. He partially atoned for the defeat with a comfortable points win against Marion Wilson, but the bigger picture suggests that Rahman will be fighting for his life against Sanders.

"People expect me to knock this guy out, but he doesn't just go," said Sanders. "You've got to wear him down and then take him out. Not even Tua could do it, because Rahman was on his feet when he was stopped.

"I'm expecting a helluva hard fight."

Ron Jackson, the fight analyst and historian, believes this is Sanders's hardest test in his 37fight career. "Rahman is the sort he needs to beat to legitimately claim a shot at Lennox. An insidethe-distance win or a points win would be equally impressive, because Rahman is a real comer."

Sanders has done everything expected of him since winning the WBU belt against Ross Puritty in late 1997. Bobby Czyz, Jorge Valdes and Al Cole have lasted fewer than four rounds combined in the three defences he has made since.

"I don't get paid overtime," quipped Sanders when asked to explain his short, sharp work against this trio.

Do not be surprised if Sanders tries the same against Rahman, knowing that a quick win will send the right sort of message to Home Box Office, the television company that pays Lewis's purse and is also broadcasting Sanders's fight against Rahman.

More likely, though, is that Rahman will weather the early storm and last for seven or eight rounds before Sanders's speed and power take charge. Early or late, any sort of win against Rahman would give Sanders the right to claim he is one of the world's premier heavyweights.

I'd have done better than Grant - Sanders

Frustration levels at peak as Lewis ducks and dives.

CLINTON VAN DER BERG/ Suntimes.co.za/ May, 2000

CORRIE Sanders watched Lennox Lewis's fight against Michael Grant at Madison Square Garden last weekend and came away with a mixture of disgust and disappointment.

The disgust arose from Grant's failure to seize the moment; the disappointment because Sanders knows he would have fared far better than the over-hyped American who, besides his inadequacies as a fighter, was hindered by the sloppy refereeing of Arthur Mercante jnr.

"Yes, you could say I'm gatvol," said Sanders, who has waited the better part of three years for the sort of opportunity former amateur opponent Fransie Botha receives in mid-July.

We all know why Botha has been picked to face Lewis: because he is white (and this is something that still counts heavily in boxing), durable, unhurried and lacks a big punch.

Sanders has his critics, but you will find it hard to name any other heavyweight on the planet with the speed and movement he possesses. He is a top-class puncher, too, and he boxes southpaw.

Add it all up and it is no surprise that Lewis, who is ponderous and predictable, wants no part of him. In fact, few top class heavyweights are willing to trade punches with Sanders.

Those who question Sanders's chin on the basis of his KO defeat against Nate Tubbs forget that it came six years ago and he absorbed some snorters from Ross Puritty to win the WBU belt.

Men as big as heavyweights possess huge power and debilitating punches are the inevitable result. Just ask Mike Tyson what happened against Buster Douglas, or Lewis, who was stopped by Oliver McCall. These things happen.

Promoter Rodney Berman has tried to force Lewis's hand but the British heavyweight has done his homework well.

"Corrie was on the shortlist of challengers for Lewis and was rejected outright because he is a danger," explained Berman.

"I admire Fransie because he has a big heart. He will be there for a couple of rounds and do his bit, but ultimately it will be a good victory for Lennox Lewis. Mike Tyson has also rejected Corrie. It is a very difficult battle."

Sanders has given himself just two more years until he enters the ring for the last time. "I've been doing this for 28 years, 10 of them as a professional," he said during an impressive workout at the gym.

"I'm not going to chase Lewis for ever. I hope to earn six or seven million and then get out. I want to buy a game farm and do my thing."

The 34-year-old, who leaves for America today, will soon do gamehunting of another sort when he squares off against Hasim Rahman in Atlantic City on May 20.

Rahman was recently upset by Oleg Maskaev, but he is exactly the sort of name opponent Sanders needs to beat to earn the recognition he so clearly craves and deserves HBO are bankrolling the fight and, says Berman, they will force a fight against Lewis if the South African is convincing.

"If Corrie looks the part, he can write his own ticket," assured the promoter. "Corrie has been begging for Lewis. You can't wish him away. He is too good."

Perhaps too good for his own good.

Sanders after a crack at Lewis

May 18 2000

By Phil Nyamane / iol.co.za

It's not easy to assess a fight staged by a partnership. This is especially so in the heavyweight division.

So anything goes when Rodney Berman's Golden Gloves Fists controlled WBU champion Corrie Sanders, defends his title against Cedric Kushner's Hasim Rahman at Bally's Casino in Atlanta City on Saturday night.

Outside the ring, Berman has done wonders by actively promoting Sanders to a 36-1 record (26 via stoppages).

The sceptics must be wondering whether Sanders deserves to be recognised as a legitimate contender for London's WBC and IBF "undisputed" champion Lennox Lewis.

Sanders has already stopped three challengers. His two rounds demolition of Bobby Czyz and one round destructions of Jorge Valdez and Al Cole could have been too short to put the rule over him.

They could have also raised questions over the quality of his opponents.

But the electrifying and lightning finishing underscored one factor - he has flashing hands. No wonder he is described as the fastest heavyweight in circulation.

Talk in Corrie's camp and Berman's Rosebank offices is that Lewis and former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson, are running scared of him. The same has been said of Evander Holyfield whom Lewis beat in a unification bout.

That may be so especially when one considers Sanders is a southpaw.

Lewis' two round stoppage of previously unbeaten Michael Grant recently has made Berman shout even louder for a match with Sanders.

Having done his work, Berman says he has not motivated Sanders in any way for this bout.

"Home Box Office (who will be televising the fight with a view of signing Sanders) have assured me that if Corrie looks the part, he could be bigger than Lewis," explained Berman.

Rachman (32-2), with loses against Australian David Tua and Russian Oleg Maskaev, is considered the hardest for Sanders, who outpointed Ross Puritty for the vacant title in November 1997.

It's make or break for Corrie Sanders

May 2000

A win against Hasim Rahman in Atlantic City on May 20 would ensure Corrie Sanders an opportunity to become a regular money-spinner on the Home Box Office (HBO) television network, Rodney Berman of Golden Gloves Promotion (GGP) said on Monday.

Sanders will put his World Boxing Union heavyweight title at stake against Rahman in a fight that Berman said was a "a must-win" for his charge, whom he said could become the most revered white heavyweight in the world.

"He can even be bigger than Gerrie Coetzee, Gerry Cooney, Jerry Quarry, Francois Botha, George Chuvalo and Oscar Bonavena," Berman said.

The southpaw Sanders, who will be attempting to make the fourth defence of his title, has scored 36 wins (26 stoppages) in 37 fights and Berman believes that a victory over Rahman would further bolster the big-hitting SA fighter's stocks.

"He is a prolific KO artist and his speed has made him a feared man in heavyweights," said Berman. "Gerrie never rivalled Corrie in terms of consistency and I feel that Sanders is by far the quicker and more lethal puncher of the two."

He added that the Sanders vs Rahman contest was a turning point in the WBU titleholder's career. "But defeat could effectively mean the end of the road," he concluded. - Sapa

Sanders flops on his big night

May 22 2000

By Phil Nyamane

Corrie Sanders' defeat in Atlantic City on Saturday night has cast doubts over the South African heavyweight's genuine ability.

Before his seventh-round technical knockout by Hasim Rahman, Sanders was touted by promoter Rodney Berman as a possible opponent for Lennox Lewis, or even Mike Tyson.

Sanders lost more than just his World Boxing Union heavyweight title in this fight - he lost credibility with the American promoters.

This was meant to be the South African's big moment on America's Home Box Office. The television network had shown an interest in him after quick knockout victories in three previous defences of his title.

Now it will be an uphill struggle for Sanders, who is expected to be admitted to hospital this week for operations on both knees.

Berman said Sanders had been unable to do proper roadwork because of cartilage problems with his knees.

"This is not an excuse," said Berman. "He was to have had the operations but didn't want to because he needed the fight badly."

Berman said Sanders had no excuses "because tactically, he should have boxed".

Whatever, Sanders knocked down Rahman earlier in the fight but then, somehow, lost it.

Rahman, a 27-year-old from Baltimore, was felled with a right uppercut in the third round, but immediately recovered and surprised Sanders with a hard right to the head that put Sanders down in the same round.

In the fourth, southpaw Sanders appeared to have his opponent in trouble with a barrage of punches, but Rahman connected with a right that knocked Sanders down a second time.

Late in the seventh, Rahman landed consecutive rights to the head that rendered Sanders out on his feet.

Sanders, 34, who had won 13 straight fights, just covered up as Rahman teed him up, delivering more than 30 uncontested punches before the referee stopped it at 1min:50sec into the round.

Sanders dropped to 36-2 and was behind on all three judges' cards when the end came.

"I said before the fight that if I lost, I'd never put on the gloves again," said Rahman, who has lost just two of his 33 fights. "He hit me with some good shots, but just one at a time."

By Ike Enwereuzor

Former South African & World Boxing Union (WBU) Champion, Corrie Sanders now (34-2) made his professional debut April 2, 1989 against King Kong Dyubele with a first round knockout. The southpaw retain his undefeated record when he captured the South African heavyweight championship July 27, 1991. He demolished Bert Cooper June 26, 1993 by a 3rd round KO.

In May 21, 1994, Sanders suffered his first professional lost to Nate Tubbs by second round KO. He made a return to the ring winning all his fight until he seized the WBU heavyweight laurel against Ross Purrity with a 12 rounds unanimous decision then successfully retained title three times, firstly, June, 1998 against former three-time world champ, Bobby Czyz whom he destroyed in two, then second defense, he smoked Jorge Valdez in first round and thrashed former cruiserweight champion, Al "Ice" Cole, February, 2000 with a first round knockout.

On May 20, 2000 Sanders who demonstrated strong heart gave good account of himself at his thrilling war with the newly born WBU champion, Hasim "the Rock" Rahman who captured the title. See what Corrie has to say!

Hello Corrie, how do you feel after the Saturday fight with Rahman?

I feel all right, I think I put up a great fight. It was a very good fight though it was tough. I'm definitely disappointed.

How disappointed are you?

I'm extremely disappointed but there's nothing I can do right now but to deal with it. It wasn't a good birthday for my daughter, Mirinnique who turned 3 years on this day. I'll go and rest then decide what I want to do from there. I may decide to retire depending on how I feel. I was covering up and forgot to throw back punches but no excuses he beat me. I think that the referee stopped the fight a bit early. He's a tough fighter but I don't see Rahman as a threat to the heavyweight division.

IE: How is your wife feeling since after the fight?

CS: My wife, Suned, is doing fine, she was at my corner with my daughter and my wife is six months pregnant.

IE: Can you tell us why your fight with fellow Countryman Frans Botha never took place?

CS: Botha pulled out, didn't want to fight me, he requested for more money for the bout. I'm sure will meet one day even if a retirement fight for us in South Africa. I've beaten Botha four times, three out of 4 was knockout as an amateur. Botha has done well for himself, he won the IBF heavyweight crown and they took it away from him.

IE: Any comments to your fans?

CS: I have a lot of American fans and I want them to hang in, don't forget about me because I may come back to prove what I'm made of. Everyone saw that I put up a good fight against Rahman, he took shots and I did too. I wish to thank all my fans for their support.

IE: When would you say is your most memorable day in boxing?

CS: It would be when I won the South African heavyweight title against Johnny Du Plooy in 1991, also when I beat Purrity to win the WBU title, even when I beat Bert Cooper and Bobby Czyz in 1998. These were all days to remember.

IE: What's your next step?

CS: I plan to rest then think about where my boxing career is going decide whether to continue or retire.

IE: What's your ultimate goal in Boxing?

CS: I wanted to fight Lennox Lewis, I don't think he wants me well, I won a title, WBU title and it's a title.

Sanders to enter the fray with Byrd

May 21 2000

By Phil Nyamane

Corrie Sanders, who lost the WBU heavyweight title on a seventh round technical knockout to new holder Hasim Ahmad at Bally's Casino in Atlanta City on Saturday night (Sunday morning SA time), will have a crack at another title.

He will challenge skilful American, Chris Byrd, for the WBO belt in August or September.

Disappointed by Sanders's fading from the fourth round after convincing in the initial three rounds - "we have no excuses because tactically he should have boxed" - promoter Rodney Berman says Sanders will be admitted in hospital to have his knees operated on.

"This is not an excuse but Sanders has not been doing roadwork because of bad knees. He has a problem with his cartilages in both knees. He was to have had the operation but didn't want to because he needed the fight badly," says Berman.

This was to have been Sanders's big moment on America's Home Box Office (HBO). They had shown interest in him after scorching three previous challengers in two and one rounds.

But he flopped in a horrific manner that now puts to question his and Berman's previous claims that he was being ducked by IBF and WBC champion, Lennox Lewis, and former champion, Mike Tyson.

"There was a lot of stake in this fight. I really didn't think Ahmad could beat Corrie," says Berman. The referee was right to stop the fight and Sanders "is very far from being a spent force".

This was after Sanders, who dropped Ahmad with a left uppercut and was himself dropped with an over-arm right in the third, was pummelled with about 50 blows with only three replies.

The bottom line is the South African lacked courage. He visibly slowed down and fought on the retreat after being dropped again in the fourth round and getting his mouthpiece shot out of his mouth with a right in the sixth.

Perhaps the operation - and Sanders is really economic in his lower movement - will help Sanders. Whether he will beat Byrd remains to be seen.

Byrd (31-1 with 19 KO's), who like Sanders is a southpaw, won the belt in Berlin on April 1.

This was after Ukrainian former holder, Vitali Klitschko, was leading on points but quit on his stool after complaining of a shoulder injury after the ninth of a scheduled 12 round bout.

Sanders quits, says Internet report

May 22 2000

The only rumbling former World Boxing Union heavyweight champion Corrie Sanders will experience from now on will be in his stomach.

That is if a report on an Internet site is to be believed, which announced that Sanders had retired following his savage seven-round stoppage at the hands of Hasim Rahman in Atlantic City, New Jersey, on Sunday.

The site, fightnews.com, gave no details of Sanders's retirement but said the Pretoria-based fighter announced he was quitting the ring shortly after referee Ed Cotton called a halt to the bout. Cotton waved the fight off after Rahman had hit Sanders with nearly 30 unanswered punches.

Sanders's promoter, Rodney Berman, was believed to be heading back from the United States on Monday and was unavailable for comment. However, veteran boxing analyst Bert Blewett believes it is the end of the road for the giant heavyweight.

"I wouldn't be surprised if Sanders has retired. He blew any chance he ever had of fighting Lennox Lewis and I don't believe the big American networks will be interested in Sanders now. And in any case, Sanders said some time ago that he would retire at the end of the year," Blewett said on Monday.

Still, Berman on Sunday insisted that he had set up Sanders to fight World Boxing Organisation champion Chris Byrd in "August or September".

"I don't buy that for a minute," Blewett said. "Byrd is down to fight Ukrainian Vladimir Klitschko on the undercard of the Lennox Lewis/Frans Botha fight on July 15. It's highly unlikely Byrd will fight so soon afterwards."

Sanders reportedly went into Sunday's fight with injuries to his knees, which Berman said would be operated on, on Tuesday.

If Sanders was indeed injured, why was the fight allowed to go ahead in the first place?

Berman told a Johannesburg morning newspaper on Monday that "Sanders wanted a postponement, but it was simply not possible."

Surely a man's life comes before anyone's livelihood? Sanders should simply not have put himself at risk.

Meanwhile, fight commentator and South African correspondent of The Ring magazine, Ron Jackson, was highly critical of Sanders on Monday.

"Sanders often complained that he had no sparring partners, but why didn't he move to the United States, six weeks prior to the bout so he could have had any number of heavyweights around to push around?" Jackson asked.

Why indeed?

If Sanders has retired, hopefully this is the end of this sorry saga.

Now or never for Sanders

BOXING REPORTER / Suntimes.co.za/ Nov. 2000

SOUTH Africa's former WBU heavyweight champion, Corrie Sanders, will have what may be the most important fight of his career in the US early next year when he faces the much-hyped Michael Grant.

Sanders has not fought since losing his world title to Hasim Rahman in May and, at 35, he no longer has time on his side. Although he has an impressive ring record of 36-2, the powerful-punching Pretorian has indicated he wants to quit boxing some time in 2001. That means a loss against Grant on January 13 will probably end his career.

Victory would open up a whole new range of possibilities. "If Corrie manages to bounce back from the Rahman defeat and whip Grant, it will gauged a sensational win and our guy will be right back in the heavyweight picture," said promoter Rodney Berman.

"That means looking at a match-up with Lennox Lewis."

The giant Grant fought Lewis earlier this year and, with an impressive record of 31-1 with 20 knockouts, was heavily favoured to cause an upset.

But Grant was roughed up and fouled by Lewis, who won the fight in two rounds.