Lewis camp upbeat over court case

Lennox Lewis's camp are confident of securing a rematch for their man following his defeat to current world heavyweight champion…

Lennox Lewis's camp are confident of securing a rematch for their man following his defeat to current world heavyweight champion Hasim Rahman.

Rahman shocked Lewis with a fifth round knockout in South Africa on April 21st to capture the World Boxing Council and International BoxingFederation crowns.

A US District Court hearing is set for Monday because Lewis is trying to block Rahman's planned title defence against Nigerian David Izon in Chinaon August 5th and force the 28-year-old American to honour a rematch clause in their contract.

There's simply no defence," said Lewis's lawyer, Judd Burnstein. He said Rahman tried to work out a deal at the offices of former promoter Cedric Kushner, whose lawsuit against Rahman is alsoscheduled to be heard on Monday.

READ MORE

Kushner is suing Rahman after the champion ditched him, only to sign a two-fight guaranteed contract with rival promoter Don King.

"He still wants to avoid going to court. Maybe he will," Burnstein said. "We told him yesterday he just has to give us the rematch.

"But it's not on my hand. I don't have much room to compromise. They are the ones who are going to have to come and make us an offer."

Burnstein said Lewis hopes to win back his titles in a rematch with Rahman on August 18th as mandated in the original clause.

AFP