Boxing: Hide disputes the undisputed claim

HERBIE HIDE yesterday repeated his attack on Lennox Lewis' title fight with Evander Holyfield, saying "to call it a unification is a complete farce".

Holyfield, the World Boxing Association and International Boxing Federation world champion, and Lewis, who holds the World Boxing Council version of the heavyweight title, meet on Saturday at New York's Madison Square Garden.

Hide will defend his World Boxing Organisation title against Texan Orlin Norris at the Royal Albert Hall on 3 April.

"All those people who are looking at New York this week thinking they are seeing the undisputed championship of the world have got it wrong," Hide said.

"I am the WBO champion, so the winner has to fight me somewhere along the line.

"To be honest, to call it a unification is a complete farce.

"When Lennox Lewis first retrieved his belt from the dustbin, he was desperate to unify with Tommy Morrison, then WBO champion, and then later on with Riddick Bowe, for both titles.

"So why is it now he chooses to ignore the belt he once craved for? I can't wait to blow Norris away and then beat Vitali Klitschko, the mandatory challenger, because I can then show the world who's the best."

Hide had previously been lined up to fight Norris in Newcastle last month before doctors advised the Norwich boxer to make a late withdrawal because of a skin condition.