Lennox Lewis may be in danger of slipping across the narrow dividing line between supreme self-confidence and complacency, but it would still be a massive upset if he were to lose to Hasim Rahman, an opponent who looks to be inferior in virtually every aspect of boxing ability.

Rahman, 28, is a decent technician who in 1998 proved he was the better man against Lewis's last challenger David Tua, before getting chinned by an illegal punch. He also picked up a useful win last year against Corrie Sanders, recovering from an early knockdown to stop the South African in seven.

But a man to beat Lewis on Sunday morning? Certainly not, unless the champion makes the sort of ghastly mistake which saw him tagged by Oliver McCall in 1994. This seems well-nigh inconceivable given Lewis's progress under his trainer Emanuel Steward since that defeat.

The only other way in which Lewis could lose would be if Rahman were to survive the early rounds and his youth and fitness enabled him to outlast the 35-year-old champion, punishing Lewis for his failure to allow more than 10 days to acclimatise to the high altitude of Johannesburg.

Lewis, as so often, is heavier than his opponent but, more crucial, is also significantly bigger. Lewis last night weighed in with a new personal record of 18 st 1 lb. The new mark is 2 lbs heavier than Lewis' previous heaviest against America's Oliver McCall when he regained the WBC title in Las Vegas in February 1997. He was also 4 lbs above the weight for his last defence against David Tua last November. The champion will outweigh Rahman by 16 lbs.

Rahman has boasted here that he will be able to match Lewis punch for punch and that Lewis will not be able to dictate pace and tactics behind his jab. However, only Ray Mercer and, in the early stages of their 1993 meeting, Frank Bruno have been able to negate the champion's left lead, and it is unlikely that Rahman can do the same.

Rahman is a smiling, warm-hearted athlete who speaks engagingly of how he would revel in the champion's role if he were to win, and his readiness to discuss his hopes for the future has been refreshing.

But Lewis has looked ever more impressive since beating Evander Holyfield to achieve his ambition of world-wide recognition as the unquestioned number one. There was speculation as to whether he would lose his desire once he had reached pre-eminence, but Lewis has proved the doubters wrong with three almost flawless title defences .

Against Michael Grant at Madison Square Garden a year ago, Lewis felt America's young hope had tried to gain an advantage through physical intimidation and his retribution was devastating, as Grant was destroyed in two rounds of terrifying ferocity. In July, Frans Botha was annihilated in two rounds in London. But in November in Las Vegas, Lewis showed he is also an accomplished boxer when the situation demands. David Tua's reputation as a big puncher put Lewis into safety mode, and he kept the bull-like New Zealander at bay to win by a wide points margin. In its way it was as emphatic a performance as the beatings handed out to Grant and Botha.

There is no reason to suggest Lewis's dominance of the heavyweights will not continue. Rahman is fit and is a boxer rather than a brawler, but Lewis will respect this, outjab him initially and prove the bigger hitter when the heavier shots fly. Lewis says he will win inside five rounds, and it is hard to disagree.

Meanwhile, Naseem Hamed's chances of a rematch with Marco Antonio Barrera look to have receded after reports that Barrera's management is negotiating for an all-Mexican fight against Eric Morales in September in Mexico City.

Richie Woodhall has withdrawn from his fight against Toks Owoh for the vacant World Boxing Union supermiddleweight title due for April 28th.