IBF/WBO/IBO heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko and former heavyweight champion Hasim Rahman faced off at today’s press conference in advance of their showdown on Saturday night at the S.A.P. Arena in Mannheim, Germany. Rahman stepped in to face Klitschko after mandatory challenger Alexander Povetkin was forced to pull out with a training injury.
Wladimir Klitschko: “Hasim Rahman is a real challenger. For him it’s probably his last chance at the title. He has certainly not come to lose….I’m prepared to go twelve rounds, but a clear win means an early win. It can happen in any round. I will try to win the fight as clearly as I can.”
Emanuel Steward: “Wladimir has worked very intently. He knows what Rahman can do and takes him very seriously. We have big respect for Rahman, because he’s a dangerous opponent.”
Hasim Rahman: “I’ve learned from the past and I’m very well prepared. The area here is still Klitschko-land, but on Sunday morning this will be Rahman-land. I will win the fight early.”