Watch the Streaming Video here for the IBF Heavyweight Championship of the world.
Hasim Rahman antecedently held the heavyweight title in 2001 after knocking out cold Lennox Lewis. He has a 45-6 record (36 KOs), with two draws.
Wladimir Klitschko (51-3, 45 KOs), regarded as the world’s top heavyweight boxer, contained Tony Thompson in the 11th round of his last bout July 12. He has been the IBF champion for 2 1/2 years, and he recovered the WBO belt last February with a one-sided decision over Sultan Ibragimov at Madison Square Garden.
Klitschko, a Ukrainian, often fights in Germany.
“This is his last chance to be a world champ again,” Klitschko said. “I anticipate a real challenge. If he comes such a long way to battle the best man, he wishes to win naturally.”
Rahman said he had sparred numerous 100 rounds and exclaimed himself in top shape.
“I know he is highly strong and fast. I have to be ready to take the beating and to dish it out. I am very fit and well geared up,” he said.
Klitschko’s trainer, Emanuel Steward, was in Lewis’ corner 7 years ago and acknowledges how big a punch Rahman piles.
