NEW YORK, 31 January 2005 — Vitali Klitchko is set to defend his World Boxing Council heavyweight title on May 7 at Madison Square Garden against former champ Hasim Rahman, Rahman’s promotor Don King announced late Saturday.
King spoke after agreeing on the date and venue with Klitchko’s advisor Shelly Finkel.
Klitchko had originally eyed a May 14 bout, but King is at another fight in Las Vegas on that day. On May 21, Madison Square Garden is reserved for Irish band U2, which only left the May 7 date.
“He (Finkel) confirmed that the arena is available on that day (May 7). We plan to finalize the deal quickly,” said King.
Klitchko, 33, defended his WBC crown last month with an eighth- round knockout against Briton Danny Williams in Las Vegas. The Ukrainian has a 35-2 record as a pro.
Rahman, a world champion back in 2001 when he upset Briton Lennox Lewis, earned the right to fight Klitchko when he beat Kali Meehan in November. Rahman’s record stands at 40-5-1.
King also announced that the other Klitchko brother, Vladimir, is set to meet International Boxing Federation champion Chris Byrd of the US on Nov. 23. Klitchko won their first meeting on points in a World Boxing Organization title bout in November 2000.
According to King, the two upcoming fights are part of a tournament to determine the best heavyweight boxer in the world.
The action starts on April 16 when WBO champ Lamon Brewster meets Andrew Golota of Poland. Two weeks later World Boxing Association holder John Ruiz is to fight fellow-American James Toney.
Apart from Rahman, King is also the promotor of Brewster, Ruiz and Byrd.
Gatti Knocks Out Leija to Keep Crown
In Atlantic City, New Jersey, Arturo Gatti knocked out challenger James Leija one minutes and 48 seconds into the fifth round Saturday to retain his World Boxing Council junior welterweight title.
Home-state hero Gatti improved to 39-6 with his 30th career knockout in the all-American showdown while Leija fell to 47-7 with two drawn.
Gatti slammed Leija to the canvas with a powerful right hand 30 seconds into the fifth round. The challenger rose just before being counted out, only to be dazed by a left hook that sent him staggering back and bouncing off the ropes.
“I never thought he would get up after that right hand,” Gatti said.
Gatti pressed the attack and finished matters seconds later with a left hook that landed on Leija’s forehand and sent him to his rear. He wobbled trying to rise and was counted out. With an average of 45 jabs a round, Gatti used his superior jab to set up devastating power punches.
