Lennox Lewis, who is due to defend his undisputed heavyweight title against Michael Grant in New York on April 29th, is coming under pressure from the IBF to put their version of the championship at stake against David Tua. The IBF, on learning of the imminent making of the Lewis-Grant fight, have informed the champion's manager Frank Maloney that negotiations must now begin for a defence against their leading contender Tua, the American-based New Zealander, by April 13th. Lewis cannot fight both at the same time, and his handlers are talking with the IBF about extending their deadline.
Lewis' backers are confident they can finalise details of his proposed world heavyweight title defence against America's Michael Grant by tomorrow's deadline. Lewis' manager Frank Maloney insists everything is in place for the undisputed champion to make his first defence on April 29, probably at Madison Square Garden in New York. Maloney revealed Lewis stood to earn 10 million dollars for the fight, with Grant set to bank 3.5 million dollars. The World Boxing Council have given Lewis' promoters until Friday to strike a deal with Grant's camp.
