ESPN.com's Dan Rafael is reporting that former world heavyweight champion Hasim "The Rock" Rahman may be involved in an interesting bout in England.
Rafael says that negotiations are underway between Rahman's camp and the camp of the current recognized world cruiserweight champion David Haye of Britain. Haye won the world title last month by stopping Jean-Marc Mormeck in the seventh round. Since that bout, Haye has made no bones about wanting to move up to the heavyweight division, because he has had problems making the cruiserweight limit.
Haye wants to make a name for himself by taking on an established heavyweight in his heavyweight debut. Rahman's manager, Steve Nelson, told ESPN.com that Haye could be taking on a little too much, too soon.
"I saw Haye's fight with Mormeck. He's a tremendous puncher at cruiserweight," Nelson said. "His people have come to us about putting this together. They think we're done. I don't think we're done. I think Haye's taking on too much in one step to fight a big, strong heavyweight like Rock. It will be considered a strong win for Rock. We're very confident. I think Haye might be biting off more than he can chew. It's a big jump for him before he's built himself into a heavyweight.
"It will be a pretty big fight in England. We feel confident that Rock can beat the smaller guy."
Both guys are on winning streaks. The 35-year-old Rahman has won four straight since his championship loss to Oleg Maskaev in August of 2006. The 27-year-old Haye has won 10 in a row over the last three years. Nelson said Rahman would take a tune-up bout that may be on Thursday, February 7 and would be shown nationally on the Versus Network.
Rock was in better shape for Zuri Lawrence than his prior two fights, and he looked like a gassed old pensioner against a decent, resourceful, light-hitting journeyman. Rock's done.
ReplyDeletelets sing together, now on three:
ReplyDeletegoodbye rockman, goodbye rock
goodbye rockman, we hate to see you go
WAIT!!!! Stop the music. That sounds good, but it is not true. We don't "hate to see you go" as a matter of fact, we wish you were already gone. So please get it over with early in 2008, then leave us alone for the rest. It might just then be a good year. Maybe a even a Happy New Year!
The Rock has had a great career and has written his name in the history books. He has been somewhat of an over achiever beating some good fighters and winning two championships along the way. He now finds himself a part of the senior circuit club, but he remains dangerous still for all the top heavyweights in the game at present. Sometimes the fans demand perfection when there is no perfection to found. I say let the Rock do his thing and if you don't like it just get some fighter to retire him. But, don't hate. Chin from the honeycomb boxing gym
ReplyDeleteHe may have been a slightly better than average heavyweight who could not handle movement. He is famous for getting knocked through the ropes by Maskaev (and then having his pathetic crew start a brawl), by growing an egg over his eye which ranks as one of the ugliest swollen eyes in history, and winning a title on one puch over Lennox. So we have seen enough of this guy and he is just a very bad guy surrounded by equally bad people and it is time for all of them to go away. The sport will be a better place without him. Lets also hope that he stays living in Las Vegas.
ReplyDeletewon 45 (KO 36) + lost 6 (KO 4) + drawn 2 = 53 The rocks record. All you can do is remember are the few bad result ones. That seems very suspect to me. Bad people? This a country full of people who are bad. What about the city that for ticket for $20, towed away the car from in front of my door and charged in excess of $300 for and to get it back. Don't forget how this usa was started. You know there were people here when columbus can. How evil is that? The Rock still fights and he still wins, period. Beat him in the ring. The man is a fighter and does not need to dismissed like a nobody because you think so. the struggle continues. Chin of the Honeycomb boxing gym.
ReplyDeleteRock's gonna knock that Brit bum out. Mormeck damn near KO'd him brfore pulling his trademark French Exit.
ReplyDeleteWhat is a French Exit?
ReplyDelete"French Exit" was coined for the numerous French fighters who quit in world title fights during the 60's and 70's.
ReplyDeleteThanks BoxBible,
ReplyDeleteJust to clarify...Does that mean they quit boxing so they could retire with the title?
No... they quit in their fights as soon as they realised that the going was going to be a lot tougher than anticipated.
ReplyDeleteGot it. Thanks Boxbible.
ReplyDeleteI believe it's a coinage from WWII days. How they quickly knuckled under to the Germans.
ReplyDeleteYou would be correct. Germans came, they ran.
ReplyDelete