10.17.04 – Hasim Rahman – ‘Old School’ Attitude: Known for his impatience with fighters who lack commitment after being schooled by the legendary Eddie Futch, Torrence likes what he sees in Rahman after working with the former heavyweight champion for just three weeks. “I agreed to work with him because he was willing to work within my program. From the very beginning he has been honest with me telling me where he’s been, where he is now and where he wants to go.”
“Rahman’s personality sometimes takes me back to my early days with Riddick Bowe because he is a good-natured, funny fellow. He’s also been giving me a great effort every day.
“I thought Meehan won his fight with Brewster,” Rahman said. “I told Don to get me the guy who really beat Brewster. He’s a nice guy and showed his friendship with Brewster. He rocked Lamon to sleep like a baby. He won’tdo that to me. I will be ready to fight this fight and every other fight I have until I am once again champion of the world.”
HASIM “The Rock” RAHMAN
Former WBC/WBA Champion
Baltimore, Md. 39-5-1 (32 KOs)
Training Site: Pat Barry’s Gym in Las Vegas
New Trainer: Thell Torrence, who was mentored by Eddie Futch and has trained Riddick “Big Daddy” Bowe, Audley “A-Force” Harrision, Ken Norton and others.
vs.
KALI “Checkmate” MEEHAN
WBO/IBF Asia Pacific Champion
Wyongah, Australia 29-2 (23 KOs)
Training Site: Sydney, Australia.
Trainer: “Magic” Mark Janssen.
Meehan’s recent successes on the world stage can be attributed in large measure to his trainer since 2003, “Magic” Mark Janssen, who retired as an undefeated Australian middleweight ranked in the world top five, before becoming a trainer. Janssen’s steady hand has guided Meehan to new heights.
Boxer Training with Aussie Rugby Squad? Meehan has taken up training at the Parramatta Rugby League Team Training Facility in Sydney where he is currently in two-a-day workouts: He runs sprint sessions from 6 a.m. to 7 a.m., lifts weights from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m. and conducts training and sparring sessions from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. when the Rugby players aren’t using the facility. The Parramatta players have been fascinated by Meehan’s training sessions and have become fans of the heavyweight, and Meehan is a fan of the team as well. Meehan’s near-defeat of WBO heavyweight champion “Relentless” Lamon Brewster on Sept. 4 has made him a sensation down under. He calls himself “Australasian” to recognize his birthplace of New Zealand and his home of Australia.
“To be here fighting on this show is so great,” Meehan said. “When I was a little boy, I wanted to fight. Then as my career progressed, I wanted to fight in America. Now to be fighting at Madison Square Garden, and also fighting with the best heavyweights of my era, is something I would never imagine could happen.”
“Battle for Supremacy” is being presented by Don King Productions in association with Madison Square Garden and will be produced and distributed domestically by HBO Pay-Per-View, available to over 50 million pay-per-view homes, beginning at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT on Saturday, Nov. 13 with a suggested retail price of $44.95 and broadcast internationally and on closed circuit by KingVision.
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