Holyfield eyes world title

Published on Monday 3 June 2002 01:00

EVANDER Holyfield claimed a technical split decision over Hasim Rahman in a heavyweight non-title bout in Atlantic City, then threw down a challenge to the winner of Lennox Lewis v Mike Tyson world championship fight in Memphis next weekend.

Referee Tony Orlando stopped the bruising battle 1min 40sec into the eighth round after an ugly haematoma the size of a baseball, apparently caused by an accidental head-butt, appeared above Rahman’s left eye.

Orlando waved Rahman to his corner then the judges scored the fight 69-64, 66-67, 69-64 in favour of Holyfield.

"It was good that the referee stopped the fight, I’ve never seen anything like that," said Holyfield. The victory puts the four-time former champion at the front of the line for another title shot with either Tyson or Lewis. "One of the guys who wins next week might want a big payday," smiled Holyfield.

Meanwhile, Ricky Hatton defended his WBU light-welterweight title with a unanimous 116-111 (twice), 115-112 points verdict over Irishman Eamonn Magee in Manchester.