NEW YORK -- Hall of Fame trainer Angelo Dundee, who had a young heavyweight fighting on the undercard of the ESPN2 boxing card, got a bit nostalgic walking into the Roseland Ballroom last night.
"I remember dancing in this place 50 years ago," Dundee said.
But it was no fox trot or tango when Baltimore heavyweight contender Hasim Rahman fought journeyman Michael Rush of Tampa, Fla., in the main event.
It looked a lot more like slam dancing as Rahman (30-1, 25 KOs) pummeled Rush for four rounds before an overhand right opened a gaping gash over Rush's right eye late in the fifth round.
Ring physician Gerard Verlotta examined the cut and ordered the referee to stop it at 2: 40 of the fifth.
"I wanted to stop the guy early," said Rahman, "and it would have happened if he had fought me earlier."
Rahman threw four- and five-punch combinations and hard body shots to slow Rush's retreat.
"I just kept constant pressure on him, and it was just a matter of time when I caught him with a good, solid shot," Rahman said.
Rahman pretty much trained himself for this televised fight, seeking sparring partners in different Baltimore area gyms. This did not sit well with co-manager Bob Mittleman.
"He's got to spend more time working with [trainer] Scott McGregor," Mittleman said. "He still needs some help on technique, bending his knees, and getting the full power in his punches."
The competition was a lot easier last night, but Rahman still took satisfaction in the victory, coming after his controversial knockout loss to David Tua last December.
Rahman's managers claimed a punch after the bell in the ninth led to Tua's 10th-round knockout after Rahman had dominated the first eight rounds. The International Boxing Federation is hearing the appeal March 26.
"We're confident we'll win the appeal and get a rematch," said co-manager Steve Nelson.
"I want Tua next, but if the IBF doesn't make it happen, I'll fight [unbeaten] Michael Grant for a chance to fight Tua again.
"All the other guys are ducking me. Kirk Johnson and Lou Savarese both turned me down. But I'm keeping my sights on Tua."
In a four-rounder, Dundee's latest hope, Attila Levin (8-0), showed promise in stopping Kimmuel Odum (16-29-1) at 19 seconds of the second round.
Pub Date: 3/13/99