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 Rahman, Meehan Look to Steal The Show at MSG Next Month
 By Thomas Gerbasi
(October 8, 2004)
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NEW YORK – If you weren’t a diehard boxing fan, you probably didn’t know who Kali Meehan was before September 4. But after the New Zealander’s spirited effort in losing a controversial split decision to WBO heavyweight champion Lamon Brewster, there are a lot more people who know of the man who calls himself "Checkmate".
One of those people must have been promoter Don King, who was quick to capitalize on the instant celebrity of Meehan in boxing circles to put him in a bout with former heavyweight king Hasim Rahman on November 13, a bout that could steal the thunder from the other heavyweights on King’s mega card.
That’s the idea, says Rahman.
"I’m trying to steal the show," said Rahman (39-5-1, 32 KOs). "There are a lot of heavyweights on this card – champions, hall of famers – and when people walk away from these fights, I want them to know who the next champion is gonna be."
For Meehan’s part, he figured he would have to go back in line after the disappointing loss to Brewster (which many believed he had won). He was wrong.
"I didn’t think I’d be back this soon, but I feel like I did enough to win the fight, so I think that counts for something," said Meehan. "I put on a good show – me and Lamon both did – and I think that has a lot to do with it."
The 34-year-old, one of the classiest acts in the game, didn’t cry or whine after the bout with Brewster - which saw him survive some shaky early moments to almost stop the champion in the eighth round – he took it in stride, and to him, his career is not a sprint, it’s a marathon that has a long way to go.
"The first thing I said at the press conference before the fight is that I want to do two things," said Meehan (29-2, 23 KOs). "One, I want to win that world title, and two, I hope to gather some fans here in America, where I believe the true diehard boxing fans are. If I can have people here saying, ‘That guy can fight,’ then I know I can fight, and I did perform well. So I got that. The world title I didn’t get, but I believe I will get it."
Even Rahman was impressed by his first look at Meehan.
"The only time I ever saw him fight was against Brewster and I was very impressed," said Rahman. "I just got to train for him as if he’s the champ, the uncrowned WBO champion. I’ve got to go in there and give him all the respect in the world and just be able to get my own thing off at the same time."
Rahman has gone old school in his quest to regain the heavyweight championship he won and lost to Lennox Lewis in 2001. Following the loss to Lewis and a streak that saw him go winless in his next three fights, "The Rock" went back to his home state of Maryland for three of his next four bouts, decisioning Al Cole and stopping Mario Cawley and Rob Calloway. In July, Rahman knocked out Terrance Lewis in two rounds, making it 4 for 4 in 2004.
"Those fights made me go back and respect the game," said Rahman. "I had to go and take myself out of champion status and be real with myself. I’m a contender and I want a championship. I knew how to get it before, so I had to just go back and not reinvent the wheel, but just explore that same path."
That path leads through Meehan, and a win will put Rahman in line for a shot at the winner of the WBA heavyweight title bout (also on November 13) between champion John Ruiz and challenger Andrew Golota.
"I talked the talk to anybody who would listen," said Rahman. "I’m gonna tell them that I’m the best heavyweight in the world, and I’m here to show it. Step one of showing it is by dispatching of Kali Meehan in impressive fashion. I feel like the best heavyweight in the world should be able to do that."
Meehan, who was stopped in a single round by Mike Tyson-conqueror Danny Williams in 2001, knows that to avoid being a stepping stone on Rahman’s way back to the title he has to be sharp and on his game from the opening bell.
"I break him down as a dangerous man," said Meehan of his opponent. "He’s the sort of guy that if you underestimate him or take your mind off the job for one second in the ring, it can be all over. He’s someone I have to be on my game against for the whole fight."
Against Brewster, Meehan showed he has game. Now he’ll have to take it up a notch to shock Rahman. But at least for one night last weekend, the only thing "Checkmate" had to get used to was the atmosphere in the Mecca of boxing, Madison Square Garden.
"Yeah, big time," he laughed, shortly before the start of the Trinidad-Mayorga card. "There’s no pressure. Just sit and watch the fights, it will be real good."c"
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E-Mail Thomas Gerbasi at tgerbasi@mindspring.com
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