Boxing: Maloney split won't hinder Lewis - Rahman

Hasim Rahman has dismissed fears that Lennox Lewis’ recent split with promoter/manager Frank Maloney will be a distraction for the former world heavyweight champion ahead of their forthcoming rematch.

Rahman stunned the world of boxing in Johannesburg last April when, as a rank outsider, he knocked Lewis out in the fifth round with a thundering right hook to snatch away the WBC, IBF and IBO titles.

Lewis has been criticised for not preparing properly for their first encounter.

But, despite the problems between Lewis and Maloney out of the ring, Rahman is convinced Lewis will be ready for action in Las Vegas on November 17.

‘‘That’s more of a burden lifted than a distraction. Lewis will come fully prepared to fight and fully expects to win,’’ said Rahman.

Since that demoralising upset, Lewis has claimed he was hit by a ‘‘lucky punch’’ and when Rahman reneged on a rematch that was written into their pre-fight contracts, Lewis’ camp took the American to court.

Ill-feeling between the two fighters was subsequently left simmering and it boiled over into a full scale brawl at a press conference when the rematch was eventually confirmed.

In one of the fight game’s under-statements of the year, Rahman added: ‘‘Both fighters do have a lot to prove, so that’s why we’re going in there.

‘‘I’m out to prove that I can beat him again and he’s out to prove it was a fluke. That’s what makes this fight so intriguing.

‘‘But I will stop Lewis before the 12th round. I believe whatever the style of the fight I will prevail - but I’m looking for a war.’’