After earlier reports that former two-time heavyweight champion Hasim "The Rock" Rahman would not return to the ring until early 2007, ESPN.com's Dan Rafael is reporting that Rahman may have had a change of heart and may return by the end of the year.
According to Rafael, Rahman (41-6-2, 33 KOs) has decided he wants to come back sooner than later and could wind up headed for Germany before the end of the year to face Sinan Samil Sam (26-3, 15 KOs), a fringe contender with a high ranking in one of the sanctioning organizations.
"Now, 'Rock' tells me that he'd like to get back in the ring as quickly as possible, November or December if possible," co-manager Steve Nelson told ESPN.com. "We've asked our promoter, Top Rank, to see if they can make a fight with Sam. 'Rock' made it very clear to me and to Top Rank that he has no problem going to Germany for the fight. We have no problem with that."
Rafael added that Top Rank this week began talking to the Sam camp about the fight. Sam has won two in a row since November, when Maskaev outpointed him in a title elimination fight to get the shot at Rahman.
"He very much wants to become a three-time heavyweight champion," Nelson said. "He feels he has the ability. He feels the 'Rock' that fought Maskaev wasn't the best he could be and he wants to redeem himself once again."
Rahman, at first, figured to wait until next year before taking an easy, confidence-building fight but changed his mind.
"He wants to fight some type of contender next and then look to pick it up and keep picking it up until we get another title shot," Nelson said.
Rafael noted that it is possible a potential Rahman-Sam fight could be sanctioned as a WBC eliminator given that Rahman dropped to only third in the organization's ratings following his loss to Maskaev; Sam is fourth. Nos. 1 and 2 -- Samuel Peter and James Toney -- just fought an eliminator, clearing the way for Rahman and Sam to fight the next one.
"I think there's one more run for 'Rock' at this point of his career, but he cannot afford another misstep," Nelson said. "He has to do everything correctly. If he does, he can become a three-time heavyweight champion of the world."
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3 comments:
"he cannot afford" not to fight! Rumor has it that he needs the money. Rock has been doing his part to help Uncle Sam pay for the war in Iraq by paying his back taxes.
*Chuckle at Simplywalt's last remark* Boy, if there isn't some (potential) truth to that! As for Sam, he's a good journeymen/fringe-contender type, but like Luan Krasniqi - what is this fascination/fixation with these two with the sanctioning bodies??? How could they POSSIBLY be ranked THAT high??? Sam is tough and durable, but very mediocre. Luan is actually a good skilled boxer, but lacks a bit of heart.
* Don't get me wrong. Anyone who steps in the ring without the big gloves and headgear has heart, but just some more so than others.
*Sidenote- While I believe(d) that Rahman was not what some people were wanting/hoping for him to be, he has nothing to be ashamed about in his loss. While I still don't think the world of Maskaev, he deserves a ton of credit for the career adversity he came back from, and the heart and grit he displayed in that 12th round. As for Rahman, it was a good close fight, and he just came up a little short. No, he may not be destined for Canasota, but he's still a respectable hvy.
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