MANNHEIM, Germany (AP) – Hasim Rahman agreed to fight Wladimir Klitschko only last month, days before his 36th birthday.

Nevertheless, Klitschko believes the former heavyweight champion is better than the man he replaced, unbeaten Russian Alexander Povetkin.

“Wladimir is very focused. He realizes how dangerous a puncher Hasim is,” said Klitschko’s trainer, Emanuel Steward. “We expect a very tough fight. Wladimir considers him the most dangerous one-punch fighter he’s ever faced.”

Povetkin had to pull out after hurting his ankle in training, so Klitschko (51-3, 45 KOs) was happy – and wary – of giving Rahman (45-2-6, 36 KOs) another shot at his IBF title on Saturday night at SAP Arena.

It will be Klitschko’s sixth defense of the title he won against Chris Byrd when it was vacant in April 2006. This will be his third fight of the year, after beating Sultan Ibragimov by unanimous decision in February and knocking out Tony Thompson in July.

He’ll take a 3-inch height advantage into the ring against Rahman, but the Ukrainian-born fighter prefers to avoid risks and tries to stay away from danger.

Klitschko’s chin remains suspect, and Ross Puritty – early in Klitschko’s career – and Corrie Sanders and Lamon Brewster have all knocked him down.

“I am not going to underestimate him in any way,” Klitschko said. “I am going to do my job the best way I can and I will try to do it quickly.”

Rahman arrived in Germany from the United States only on Monday, but in his only public training session he looked trim and impressive.

“He is very fit, very well prepared,” Rahman’s manager Steve Nelson said. “He’s in tremendous shape.”

Rahman said he had sparred more than 100 rounds and proclaimed himself ready.

“I know he is extremely strong and quick. I have to be ready to take punishment and to dish it out,” Rahman said. “I am very fit and well prepared.

“This here is Klitschko land now. On Saturday, it will be Rahman land.”

Steward was in Lennox Lewis’ corner when Rahman stunned him in April 2001 for the WBC and IBF titles, but Rahman lost them back to Lewis seven months later. Then when Klitschko’s older brother Vitali retired, Rahman won the vacant WBC belt in 2005 and held it for a year until losing to Oleg Maskaev.

His last fight in July against James Toney was ruled a no-contest after Rahman was cut and could not continue.

“This is his last chance to be a world champion again,” Klitschko said. “I expect a real challenge.”

Rahman wasn’t fazed by Klitschko, who hasn’t lost in more than four years.

“Yes, he is the best, but I want to be the best,” Rahman said, “and to be the best you have to beat the best.”

AP-ES-12-11-08 2022EST