Lewis and Rahman brawl on TV show
Friday, 31 August 2001 12:27Heavyweight contenders Lennox Lewis and Hasim Rahman have brawled on a US sports chat show. The two wrestled on the floor after an argument over comments by Rahman that Lewis had "acted gay" after his shock defeat in South Africa in April - which stripped him of his three world titles.
The row started when ESPN's Up Close host Gary Miller asked Lewis: "Did he question your sexuality?" Lewis replied: "He said, Why are you starting that gay stuff? I said, Why are you calling me gay." Rahman claimed that the "gay" comment was a reference to the legal battle which followed Lewis's shock defeat. "I said what you did was gay. I said it was gay to take it to the court. I don't know why he was so offended," said Rahman. Furious Lewis hit back, saying "I am 200% a woman's man. If you are worried about that, bring your sister." Rahman, also angry, replied: "I am telling you right now, don't say anything about my family."
The two squared up to each other, then Lewis grabbed Rahman's arm. They began wrestling on the floor, rolling around before smashing through a table they had been sitting behind.
Promoter Don King has insisted that the show will go on. The two men will go on stage together tomorrow in Las Vegas as part of their promotional tour for the 17 November fight. Lewis has promised that he will retire if the American world champion beats him again. Three of the world's heavyweight crowns are at stake, setting up the winner for a possible clash with Mike Tyson.
Filed by Greg McKevitt
