Former world heavyweight champion Hasim Rahman of Baltimore, Md. will take on Zuri Lawrence of Wappingers Falls, N.Y. at the Sovereign Center in Reading, Pa.

Rahman, 44-6-2, was scheduled to fight Sherman Williams but he came down with a very bad sore throat and flu-like symptons earlier this week. Lawrence has a record of 23-12-4. He has three straight wins and a year ago defeated contender Jameel McCline in Hollywood, Ca.

Rahman and Lawrence will weigh in today 3 pm at the Abraham Lincoln Wyndham Hotel, 5th Ave., Reading, Pa. The undercard will weigh at the hotel on Friday, 9 am.

This is an important bout for Rahman who is looking for a major bout in early 2008.

"The Rock has three straight wins, this fight tomorrow night against Zuri Lawrence and then Rock is looking for something major. We have some ideas which will we soon discuss with Bob Arum at Top Rank," said Steve Nelson, the long-time manager of Rahman.

Rahman, trained by Marshall Kauffman, has looked strong and powerful while training at Kings Gym in Reading, Pa.

"I've taken Rock back to the basics - working on his jab, his right hand, right uppercuts, left uppercuts," said Kauffman. "I am trying to incorporate a better defense for Rock. For example, I want him to roll from punches, catch his left hooks more and get back to continually working on the jab to set up his right hand. The biggest key is to just be consistent."

The Top Rank/VERSUS televised fight card will open with two strong young welterweights. Jesus Soto-Karass, handled by Sergio Diaz and Francisco Espinoza, will take on Juan Buendia who is managed by Cameron Dunkin. This is a fiery matchup of two tough, strong fighters.