Boxing: Lewis looks like odd man out

Lennox Lewis looks increasingly like the odd man out on the heavyweight boxing scene as the future plans for new world champion Hasim Rahman unfold.

The 28-year-old American, who took the WBC and IBF titles from Lewis with a fifth-round knockout last month in Johannesburg, will fight Denmark’s Brian Nielsen in Beijing in August in his first title defence.

Don King, the controversial promoter who signed Rahman last week, has confirmed the bout with Nielsen on August 4, with WBA champion John Ruiz and ex-champion Evander Holyfield topping the bill at the same venue.

Rahman is set to receive five million dollars for fighting Nielsen and King has promised Rahman 15 million dollars for a unification fight against the winner of Ruiz-Holyfield, 20 million dollars to fight Lewis and 30 million to face Tyson.

Lewis, who has filed a lawsuit in the hope of making Rahman stick to a re-match clause in his contract, knows the only real path to reclaiming his crowns is a court victory.

But Lewis’ manager Frank Maloney said: ‘‘It’s called being outmanoeuvred.

‘‘That’s what’s happening at the moment but hopefully we can move the jigsaw pieces around and get back into a strong position.’’

Lawsuits could destroy King’s well-laid plans, which began last Friday with an early-morning deal with Rahman sealed by 500,000 dollars in 100-dollar bills and a cheque for $4.5m to complete the signing bonus.