Boxing : Lewis expecting TV audience of 10m
Heavyweight boxing's largest television audience for twelve years is set to become reality after the BBC clinched a deal to secure the live TV and radio rights for IBF and WBC champion Lennox Lewis' next title defence.
Lewis publicly shook hands on a deal with the BBC this afternoon.
The venue for the Rahman fight has still to be decided, but Las Vegas and Monaco are the two likeliest contendors.
Lewis told reporters: "It's important that the British public get the opportunity to see me, a good opportunity to see how much I've improved over the years. There's a job still waiting to be done out there."
Lewis has generated pay-per-view audiences of almost a million since retaining the world title in 1997, but would be guaranteed viewing figures of over ten million on the BBC.
RTE are still to confirm whether they will be broadcasting the fight, the first heavyweight title bout to be broadcast on terrestrial TV since Frank Bruno challenged Mike Tyson in Las Vegas 12 years ago.
