Lewis May Join Don King

Don King is delighted to hear that Lennox Lewis is considering signing with him.

Gary Shaw, Lewis’ American promoter, is delighted to hear that King is delighted, but doesn’t quite believe what he’s hearing.

Lewis, a two-time former heavyweight champion, will try to regain the title a third time Saturday by beating Hasim Rahman, who is already promoted by King.

“I know I said I would never work with [King],” the 36-year-old Lewis told The Times of London, “but time changes things and sometimes you have to accept that someone is good at what they do.... He does promote a good fight. Boxers at this stage of their career need someone to promote them well. King’s history speaks for itself.

“We’ll see how things work out this time, then look at whether we’ll do anything together in the future.”

In Los Angeles Monday to promote Saturday’s fight, which will be held at Las Vegas’ Mandalay Bay Events Center, King said he was eager to contact Lewis.

“I can hardly wait to get back [to Las Vegas],” he said. “I’ll walk right up to him and say, ‘Hey, Champ, how are you doing?’ Opportunity is the highest form of charity. It’s great to know I’m in the game.”

Lewis severed his ties with promoter Panos Eliades last year and fired manager Frank Maloney last week. Shaw said, “If Don King wants to step over Rahman and represent Lewis, it means he obviously believes Lewis will win the fight. And I agree. This means King has no confidence in Rahman. I think King should make up his mind which fighter he wants to represent.”

Even if King chooses Lewis, should Lewis win Saturday, Shaw maintains that the two will never get together, despite Lewis’ statements.

“I do not believe Lennox Lewis will sign with King,” Shaw said. “Lennox is his own person and he will not be coerced into anything. Lennox will do what’s good for Lennox.”

And if Lewis decides that signing with King is good for him?

“Lennox could still keep me as well, believe it or not,” Shaw said.

Not if King runs true to form. If King should get Lewis’ name on a contract, neither Shaw’s name nor that of any other rival promoter will be found on it.