by David P. Greisman

Former heavyweight champion Hasim Rahman is scheduled to face current heavyweight titleholder Alexander Povetkin on Sept. 29. Rahman, who is approaching 40, last fought in June 2011; his fight with Povetkin had initially been set for July, but an injury forced their fight to be postponed.

Rahman’s trainer, Eddie Mustafa Muhammad, spoke with BoxingScene.com in early September about the upcoming bout, particularly about the mocking Povetkin’s camp had done about Rahman’s weight, but also about Povetkin’s new trainer — former junior welterweight champion Kostya Tszyu.

BoxingScene.com: How’s Rahman looking right now?

Muhammad: “He’s doing real good. He boxed a good, brisk, 10 rounds today, which is great.”

BoxingScene.com: Povetkin’s camp was taking shots at Hasim for his weight. What did you think about that?

Muhammad: “You got to realize one thing: Hasim was wearing big clothes. When he steps on the scale, and when they see that he’s serious, I wouldn’t be surprised if Hasim knocks him out. We’re looking for the knockout, because we’re not going to get the decision over there.”

BoxingScene.com: Do you think they’re taking Hasim lightly by thinking he’s heavy?

Muhammad: “Let them take him lightly. It’s good. We’re not taking [Povetkin] lightly. We’re doing everything that needs to be done to win a world title. I’m saying this again: We’re going over there to knock him out. No other way. He had a cruiserweight hurt him and beat him up, and I thought Marco Huck won that decision, so that tells me that we’re not going to get a decision. We got to knock this guy out. So if he’s going to stand right in front of Hasim, he’s going to get knocked out.”

BoxingScene.com: What do you think about your counterpart across the ring in Povetkin’s corner, Kostya Tszyu?

Muhammad: “Who’s that?”

BoxingScene.com: Kostya Tszyu, the former junior welterweight champion, is now training Povetkin.

Muhammad: “Who’s that?”

BoxingScene.com: You know Kostya Tszyu, the guy that Ricky Hatton stopped years ago.

Muhammad: “Who’s that?”

BoxingScene.com: You’re playing with me here.

Muhammad: “I’m not worried about no goddamned Kostya Tszyu. Let me say something: What I forgot, Kostya Tszyu don’t know. What I forgot, he don’t know. I’m not worried about Kostya Tszyu, unless he’s going to jump in the ring and try to fight for him. And I don’t think he’s going to do that, so I’m not worried about Kostya Tszyu. Please, that’s a joke.

“Kostya Tszyu, I respect what he did in the ring. I respect him big time. But like I said, what I forgot, he don’t know. When Povetkin gets hit on the chin, let’s see what Kostya Tszyu’s gonna say then. So I’m not worried about him. Please.”

David P. Greisman is a member of the Boxing Writers Association of America. Follow David on Twitter @fightingwords2 or send questions/comments via email at fightingwords1@gmail.com