Meehan towelled up in his bid for a title shot

By Stathi Paxinos
November 15, 2004
Evander Holyfield, right, takes a beating from Larry Donald.

Evander Holyfield, right, takes a beating from Larry Donald.
Photo: AP

Heavyweight contender Kali Meehan's quest for a second world title shot came to a sudden halt against former world champion Hasim Rahman yesterday, Melbourne time, when his corner threw in the towel after four rounds at Madison Square Garden in New York.

Meehan's trainer later conceded that the Sydney-based slugger had not been physically or mentally prepared for the challenge.

Meehan, who won praise for his unlucky split-decision loss to World Boxing Organisation champion Lamon Brewster in September, had been affected by niggling neck and hand injuries in training and Mark Janssen said he had been so concerned that that he had unsuccessfully tried to withdraw his fighter in the lead-up to the bout.

"He was on an emotional high after fighting Lamon Brewster for the WBO title and in hindsight we shouldn't have taken the fight, but Kali was so keen to take the fight he talked myself and (others in the management team) into it," Janssen said.

"I should have stood my ground and said, 'No, have a break, you've just had a big year.' We should have let it go, but that's boxing. He didn't train as hard as he could have and he had injuries and setbacks. It was a horrible preparation."

Janssen was forced to intervene at the end of the fourth round after seeing his charge defenceless against the ropes but refusing to go down.

"I hit him as hard as I've ever hit anybody and he stayed up. He's a tough man," said Rahman.

Janssen said he refused to let Meehan take any more punishment. "He was dead tired after two rounds and I knew we were in trouble, but I was just hoping that he could get Rahman to work a bit and tire him and then just land a good right hand. But it just wasn't going to happen," he said.

Rahman, who stunned the boxing world by knocking out the then-undisputed world champion Lennox Lewis three years ago, has now set up a title shot in the World Boxing Association or World Boxing Council with the win, which was part of a Don King extravaganza that included two heavyweight title bouts.

In the headline fights, IBF world champion Chris Byrd courageously outpointed Jameel McCline and WBA champion John Ruiz retained his belt with a unanimous points decision over Andrew Golota.

But, the saddest aspect of the night was the 42-year-old four-time heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield being easily beaten over 12 rounds by Larry Donald.

Holyfield was a shadow of the man whose three memorable bouts against Riddick Bowe helped define heavyweight boxing in the 1990s.

Holyfield (38-8-2) has now won only twice in his past nine fights, but was unwilling to call it quits.

"I have never given up on anything," he said. "If I have a change in the heart, I could change my mind. I still believe I could rise to the occasion."

- with agencies