Lewis 'confident' of rematch ruling

Lennox Lewis returned to a federal court here yesterday in an attempt to win the right for an immediate rematch with Hasim Rahman. The former heavyweight champion, who lost his World Boxing Council and International Boxing Federation titles to Rahman in April, in South Africa, argued that he should face the new title holder in the American's first defence.

The contract Lewis and Rahman signed before the first fight specified that Lewis had to be given that defence rather than the one arranged against the Nigerian David Izon, in China later this summer.

"I have a strong case," said Lewis. "I feel great about everything. There is no question that Hasim Rahman and Lennox Lewis want to fight. I don't think there should be a problem. I feel very confident."

Rahman contended in the trial that he was a "free agent" and was allowed to box Izon since he claims his contract with the original promoter, Cedric Kushner, expired last October.

The Baltimore fighter is now promoted by Don King. Kushner, however, is suing King after accusing him of meddling with his contract with Rahman. On Monday, the Supreme Court reinstated Kushner's racketeering lawsuit against King, which claims that Kushner, and not King, represents Rahman.

King, who is the president and sole shareholder of Don King Productions, was sued in 1998 by Kushner, who accused King of interfering with Kushner's contract with Rahman.