Boxing: Lewis hopes rest with New York judge

Lennox Lewis’ hopes of a re-match with Hasim Rahman could hinge on the decision of a judge in New York tomorrow.

Rahman’s former promoter Cedric Kushner is going to court to try and prevent the WBC and IBF heavyweight champion joining Don King.

Lewis is being denied a re-match and King has already arranged for Rahman to make his first defence against little-known Dane Brian Nielsen.

Kushner is furious that Rahman has decided to switch camps after winning the world title.

‘‘My lawyers and Lennox’s lawyers and all the lawyers will be sprung into action in court in New York tomorrow,’’ Kushner told Radio Five Live.

‘‘Rahman’s had some bad advice from King, who as everyone knows can only be compared to the devil.

‘‘There I am, the exclusive promotor of Rahman in the throes of putting together a multi-million dollar deal for a Lennox Lewis rematch, and suddenly Don King comes along at two o’clock in the morning.

‘‘He has a clandestine meeting with Rahman, pays him five million dollars and signs for him to fight under his banner.

‘‘The contract Rahman signed with me stated that he would agree to give Lennox a rematch.

‘‘Now we will have to wait and see what the courts say on Monday. Obviously we are looking to get an interdict to prevent Rahman and King going ahead.

‘‘King has very deep pockets. That’s how he plays the system and I think it will be a very tough thing to enforce.’’

Rahman says that his contract with Kushner has expired and that it was on a fight-to fight basis only.

‘‘They won’t force me just because they threaten to take me to court,’’ said Rahman. ‘‘They won’t bully me.’’

The British Boxing Board of Control are monitoring the situation. ‘‘It looks as though it’s coming down to a judge’s decision on Monday and I suspect in a number of courts afterwards,’’ said secretary Simon Block.

‘‘I have always credited King with being a great seducer of boxers, I don’t know what he is like with women.

‘‘We shouldn’t be surprised at what has happened. The question is is whether it is enforceable.’’