Boxing: Akinwande next target for Lewis

Thursday 03 April 1997 23:02 BST
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Lennox Lewis, Britain's World Boxing Council heavyweight champion, could face Henry Akinwande in London on the eve of the Wimbledon men's singles tennis final.

If Lewis' promoters, Panos Eliades and the New Jersey-based Dino Duva, of Main Events, win the purse bidding to be held in Las Vegas on 9 April, a fight on 5 July is their main target.

It would make logistical sense as Home Box Office, the American cable network contracted to Lewis, will have their broadcasting technology and commentary team installed in London covering Wimbledon.

Akinwande, the former undefeated World Boxing Organisation champion, was nominated as the mandatory challenger for the WBC crown, even before Lewis regained the title with his bizarre victory over Oliver McCall in February.

Meanwhile, Lewis's manager, Frank Maloney, says he has Liverpool's British light-welterweight champion, Andy Holligan, under contract and plans to feature him on his promotion in Hull on 28 April.

However, rival promoter Frank Warren said Holligan will fight for him in a British title defence against fellow Merseysider Carl Wright at Everton Park Sports Centre on 15 May. Holligan is the leading contender for the European title of Denmark's Soren Sondergaard.

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