Hasim Rahman vs. Monte Barrett — August 13

Tough fight for Rahman who has his sights set on fighting Vitali Klitschko for the WBC title but instead must settle for a smaller payday versus Barrett and an interim title. The Rock was hyperactive in 2004 fighting five times and winning four by KO in going undefeated. That helped keep his weight down – he was 257 in April and 232 against Meehan in his last fight in November – but now it has been eight months since his last bout. Still, Rahman possesses one of the best jabs in the division and sets up his hammering right hand with it. I doubt Barrett has the power to keep Rahman away for too long, although he does jab and move well. Still, there are times in every fight that Barrett stands and trades and that is where he loses this fight. A potentially boring fight early gets exciting as Rahman wears Barrett down and stops him late.

Joey Knish

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