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Meehan can win ... with Eels in the ring: Rahman
By Peter Mitchell in Los Angeles
October 20, 2004
Former heavyweight champion Hasim "The Rock" Rahman says the only way Kali Meehan will beat him in New York next month is if members of the Parramatta Eels jump in the ring and start throwing punches.
Rahman, who shocked the boxing world in 2001 when he knocked out Lennox Lewis to become champion, has heard whispers about Meehan's gruelling training sessions with Parramatta to prepare for the bout.
"Those rugby guys are tough," Rahman told the Herald from his home in Las Vegas. "If the rugby guys turn up and I have to fight them and Kali at the same time, they might have a chance."
The Rahman-Meehan bout is part of Don King's November 13 heavyweight extravaganza at New York's Madison Square Garden. The shrewd 71-year-old promoter has dubbed the fight night "Rendezvous with Destiny: Battle for Supremacy".
World Boxing Association champion John Ruiz takes on Poland's Andrew Golota, International Boxing Federation champion Chris Byrd meets Jameel McCline, and four-time heavyweight champ Evander Holyfield will attempt to resurrect his career against Guyana-born Larry Donald.
There is no title at stake for Rahman and Meehan but the victor will likely get a world title shot and a big payday against the winner of Ruiz-Golota or Byrd-McCline early next year.
Rahman and Meehan are both desperate to win. A 34-year-old former Wyong Leagues Club bouncer and Sydney garbage collector, Meehan wants to give his wife and three young sons a life they could only dream about 12 months ago when they struggled to pay their grocery bills. Rahman, 31, has experienced the peaks and troughs of professional boxing and is hungry to reach the top again.
"I see this as my chance for another big payday," said Rahman, also a father of three. "I'm looking forward to beating Kali and then in my next fight challenging for a title and some humungous paydays."
The 196cm New Zealand-born Meehan, an Australian resident the past seven years, was almost unknown in the US boxing community before he challenged and almost beat World Boxing Organisation champ Lamon Brewster in Las Vegas last month. He lost a controversial split points decision and was close to knocking Brewster down in the eighth.
"I saw Kali against Lamon Brewster and he looked terrific," Rahman said. "I thought Kali won the fight. I want someone like Kali who will motivate me and take my game to the next level."
Motivation was something Rahman lacked after he knocked out Lewis in South Africa in 2001 to become a surprise IBF and World Boxing Council heavyweight champion.
He was paid $US10 million ($13.78m) for a rematch seven months later and Lewis avenged the earlier loss, knocking out Rahman in the fourth round. In his next three fights Rahman was beaten by Holyfield, had a draw with New Zealand's David Tua and lost a points decision to Ruiz.
"I fell into a lull after I beat Lennox Lewis," Rahman said. "I felt like, 'If I can beat Lennox, who was the best, I can beat anyone - the rest shouldn't be a problem'."
Since the unanimous points loss to Ruiz last December, Rahman has won all four of his fights, three by knockout. He has also hired old-school trainer Thell Torrance, who has guided heavyweights Ken Norton and Riddick Bowe.
And that, he said, was bad news for Meehan.
"I don't want Kali to be disturbed by the loss he's going to receive because he's going to lose to the best heavyweight in the world," Rahman said.
By Peter Mitchell in Los Angeles
October 20, 2004
Former heavyweight champion Hasim "The Rock" Rahman says the only way Kali Meehan will beat him in New York next month is if members of the Parramatta Eels jump in the ring and start throwing punches.
Rahman, who shocked the boxing world in 2001 when he knocked out Lennox Lewis to become champion, has heard whispers about Meehan's gruelling training sessions with Parramatta to prepare for the bout.
"Those rugby guys are tough," Rahman told the Herald from his home in Las Vegas. "If the rugby guys turn up and I have to fight them and Kali at the same time, they might have a chance."
The Rahman-Meehan bout is part of Don King's November 13 heavyweight extravaganza at New York's Madison Square Garden. The shrewd 71-year-old promoter has dubbed the fight night "Rendezvous with Destiny: Battle for Supremacy".
World Boxing Association champion John Ruiz takes on Poland's Andrew Golota, International Boxing Federation champion Chris Byrd meets Jameel McCline, and four-time heavyweight champ Evander Holyfield will attempt to resurrect his career against Guyana-born Larry Donald.
There is no title at stake for Rahman and Meehan but the victor will likely get a world title shot and a big payday against the winner of Ruiz-Golota or Byrd-McCline early next year.
Rahman and Meehan are both desperate to win. A 34-year-old former Wyong Leagues Club bouncer and Sydney garbage collector, Meehan wants to give his wife and three young sons a life they could only dream about 12 months ago when they struggled to pay their grocery bills. Rahman, 31, has experienced the peaks and troughs of professional boxing and is hungry to reach the top again.
"I see this as my chance for another big payday," said Rahman, also a father of three. "I'm looking forward to beating Kali and then in my next fight challenging for a title and some humungous paydays."
The 196cm New Zealand-born Meehan, an Australian resident the past seven years, was almost unknown in the US boxing community before he challenged and almost beat World Boxing Organisation champ Lamon Brewster in Las Vegas last month. He lost a controversial split points decision and was close to knocking Brewster down in the eighth.
"I saw Kali against Lamon Brewster and he looked terrific," Rahman said. "I thought Kali won the fight. I want someone like Kali who will motivate me and take my game to the next level."
Motivation was something Rahman lacked after he knocked out Lewis in South Africa in 2001 to become a surprise IBF and World Boxing Council heavyweight champion.
He was paid $US10 million ($13.78m) for a rematch seven months later and Lewis avenged the earlier loss, knocking out Rahman in the fourth round. In his next three fights Rahman was beaten by Holyfield, had a draw with New Zealand's David Tua and lost a points decision to Ruiz.
"I fell into a lull after I beat Lennox Lewis," Rahman said. "I felt like, 'If I can beat Lennox, who was the best, I can beat anyone - the rest shouldn't be a problem'."
Since the unanimous points loss to Ruiz last December, Rahman has won all four of his fights, three by knockout. He has also hired old-school trainer Thell Torrance, who has guided heavyweights Ken Norton and Riddick Bowe.
And that, he said, was bad news for Meehan.
"I don't want Kali to be disturbed by the loss he's going to receive because he's going to lose to the best heavyweight in the world," Rahman said.
