Boxing: Rahman taken to hospital following accident

The new world heavyweight champion Hasim Rahman has been involved in a minor car accident during his homecoming parade in Baltimore.

Rahman and his family were in a convertible that collided with a taxi during the motorcade.

The champion, who knocked out Lennox Lewis to claim the International Boxing Federation and World Boxing Council titles in Johannesburg on Sunday, was not seriously hurt.

The accident occurred while Rahman was on his way to an interview with the television station ESPN following the celebration party in his honour.

A spokesman from the city's St John's Hospital said Rahman and members of his family were being treated for minor injuries sustained in the accident but that "none of the injuries are serious."

Rahman's promoter, Cedric Kushner, told BBC Radio 5 Live: "I've just been informed he was in a car crash while travelling in a parade in Baltimore and I'm going to go to the hospital to find out if he's there."

Meanwhile, Lewis could be back in the ring with Rahman in under four months if the former undisputed world heavyweight champion gets his way.

A clause in Rahman's contract for that fight insists he must give Lewis a rematch within 150 days of the encounter.

The American promoters Main Events yesterday said agreement had been reached between itself, Lewis's London-based co-promoters, Lion, the television network Home Box Office and the fighter's business manager, Adrian Ogun, and that the rematch would take place on 18 August.

Rahman's camp have yet to agree to anything, however.

- INDEPENDENT