IBF heavyweight championship – Klitschko vs Rahman

International Boxing Federation (IBF) heavyweight champion, Wladimir Klitschko with amazing 45 knockouts from 54 fights, has said he will not underrate former IBF champion, Hasim Rahman as both return to the ring this weekend in a winner takes all championship. Wladimir, younger brother of reigning World Boxing Council (WBC) champion,Vitali Klitschko is wary of the power his American opponent holds in that big right hand.

“I am not going to underestimate him in any way. I am going to do my job and I will try to do it quickly, This is his last chance to be a world champion again, so I expect a real challenge. If he comes such a long way to fight the best man, he wants to win naturally,”  Klitschko said.

Meanwhile, 36-year-old Rahman has arrived in Germany in place of injured Russian Alexander Povetkin, to take on the man widely regarded as the world’s top heavyweight. Rahman had recorded an upset in knocking out Lennox Lewis in Round Five, in South Africa to claim the IBF, World Boxing Council (WBC) and International Boxing Organisation (IBO) titles back in 2001, before he lost the same way in the fourth round in the rematch. “I know he is extremely strong and quick. I have to be ready to take punishment and to dish it out. I am very fit and well prepared,” Rahman said ahead of Saturday’s championship showdown with Klitschko. “I am looking forward to putting on a good performance. It will be a great fight.”