Champ Rahman Might Fight For Title Here In December

HASSIM RAHMAN …World heavyweight champion

A group out of the United States along with local representatives and the commission has had initial meetings and now all that is necessary to put up the sign "go", is the official endorsement of the Government of The Bahamas.

Countries all over the world jump for the chance of hosting a major boxing show. Such an event means an economic thrust as millions of dollars pass hands. The affair is also a tourism bonanza. In fact one of the main reasons The Bahamas is tops on the promoters’ list is its worldwide reputation as an ideal destination.

So much that is positive, will spill over from the promotion. The title fight will be much more than just a sporting event. It will be grand affair, attracting socialites from all over the world, superstars from other sports disciplines and hoards of boxing fans.

The promotion goes on for months during which time this country will get ample exposure through the mass publication vehicle of the promoters, inclusive of the big network and cable companies. The principals will train here and the fanfare of the training camps will be an additional positive happening.

In essence, it’s really a win-win situation for the country.

No doubt Minister Wisdom likes the idea very much otherwise the matter would not have been taken to the House of Assembly.

So, in all probability, Rahman, one of the top heavyweights to come along in the last 10 years, will grace a ring in The Bahamas later this year.

Rahman, 33, is the reigning World Boxing Council heavyweight champion. He is due to put his crown on the line July 8 against the Russian Oleg Maskaev. If successful, the next place he dons the gloves for ring action will likely be here in The Bahamas.

Rahman rocketed to fame in April of 2001 when he stopped Lennox Lewis in five rounds to win the WBC, IBF and IBO titles. The fight was named Upset of the Year by Ring Magazine and catapulted Rahman into the big "payday" category. He has since fought the best in the business, inclusive of Evander Holyfield, Lewis (again in a loss), John Ruiz, David Tua, and James Tooney.

In the House of Assembly, Minister Wisdom spoke about how the commission has connected The Bahamas with all of the top world boxing organizations and plays a significant role as the regional power. Well, a world title of this magnitude will be the biggest happening ever for boxing in this country.

Twenty-five years ago, Muhammad Ali fought for the last time professionally, here against Trevor Berbick. The event was staged at the Queen Elizabeth Sports Centre. A Hassim Rahman title fight would be much bigger.