Boxing: Champ: Tua will never fight me again

New world heavyweight champion Hasim Rahman says Kiwi David Tua will never get to fight for the title as long as he is champion.

Rahman said from Baltimore in the United States yesterday that Tua would now have to suffer as he did when Tua controversially beat Rahman in 1998 after hitting him after the bell at the end of the 10th round.

Until that point Rahman was in control of the fight, using his strong jab and boxing skills to shut Tua out of the contest.

He was well ahead on all the judges' scorecards. Tua's knockout shot came nearly three seconds after the bell.

"We had a chance to resolve that in 1999 and he didn't want to give me the chance," Rahman said.

"HBO [Home Box Office] came and tried to double the money [for a rematch] and he didn't want to give me a chance, so now, since I'm in the driver's seat, you can tell David Tua he can wait on me. He's on my time now.

"He didn't want to give me an opportunity when he cheated me and now I will never fight David Tua.

"I already beat him once in my mind. I have nothing to prove against him. He's not on my list. He'd be the last person I fight. Ever. Ever."

Tua's manager, Kevin Barry, said last week that approaches had been made to Rahman's management to register interest in a title bout. Rahman was unaware of it but said it was irrelevant.

Rahman beat Lennox Lewis for the World Boxing Council and International Boxing Federation titles.

The champion said his team had a distinct structure and method in how things were done. The managers courted deals and options and when they were finalised they were put to Rahman for final approval. His approval was needed and it would not be given to fight Tua.

There is a snag in Rahman's plans, however.

The three major organisations, the International Boxing Federation, World Boxing Association and World Boxing Council, agreed to instigate a mandatory challenger system, meaning the heavyweight champion would have to fight the No 1 contender from each of the bodies' in rotation.

Tua, as IBF champion, had his chance against Lewis last year; Mike Tyson, as WBC top chance, gets next crack, followed by John Ruiz, the WBA contender.

After that, if Tua is still the IBF's No 1-ranked fighter, he would be due his turn.

When Rahman lost to Tua, his career was left in limbo. The fast-track he was on to the top was derailed and the smaller paydays affected his family's lifestyle.

"He put my life on hold trying to get a rematch. He duffed me, unfairly. [He] avoided me and I think poetic justice has been served. So David Tua will never fight me again," Rahman said.

Mike Tyson and Lennox Lewis were the opponents he would like to fight next. A deal to fight either is expected by Saturday.

Rahman's promoter, Cedric Kushner, said the rival networks backing each former champion had made offers and he expected a contract to be in place by the end of the week for what could be a $US30 million ($72.49 million) showdown.

Newspaper reports from New York and Washington said HBO, Lewis' cable TV paymaster, had offered $US14 million. Showtime, Tyson's backer, offered $US15 million.

If the money remains close, Rahman confirmed he would prefer Tyson.

"I already got rid of Lewis once," Rahman said. "If I beat him again, the public will still say I've got to fight Tyson."

- NZPA