Deposed British Welterwight champ-ion Harry Dhami has been offered a staggering £50,000 to win the Lonsdale belt ..... and then sell it to a multi-

million pound Asian businessman!

This remarkable offer comes four weeks after Dhami, the first-ever British-born champion of Asian

descendants to win a title, lost to Belfast's Neil Sinclair.

Had Dhami won that fight, his third defence, the coveted Lonsdale belt would already be his for keeps.

Despite that defeat, when he was knocked out in the fifth round, in Glasow, Dhami can still win the belt outright if he can regain his title.

The Gravesend man said: "I don't need any incentive to win the title back, but this is very tempting. Mind you, I might not want to sell the belt, because you can't put a price on something of such sentimental value.

"Sinclair is not keen on a rematch with me at the moment and the British Boxing Board of Control will nominate a boxer for him to make his mandatory defence against.

"It will be interesting to see who gets in the ring with Sinclair, as I've beaten all the other main challengers and they may be wary of him.

"I want to fight him again soon, but whatever happens I will get another title opportunity at some stage in the

future whoever the opponent is.

"In the meantime, I'm preparing to fight again, hopefully in February.

"Despite that defeat by Sinclair, I feel that mentally and physically I'm in great shape.

"I did sustain some ligament damage to my hand during the fight, but it's nothing serious and is not giving me any problems."

Dhami added: "My manager is looking to arrange a fight for me against a top European. I'm looking for a big title bout and losing the British crown will not prevent me. After all, Sinclair, fought for a world title having never boxed for a title before, so why can't I?

"But make no mistake, I will be back with a big bang in the New Year."

December 20, 2001 15:30