Klitschko says he will have too much for Rahman

World heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko said he will have too much for American challenger Hasim Rahman to cope with in tonight's title fight in Germany.

The Hamburg-based Ukrainian - holder of the WBO, IBF and IBO crowns - does, however, expect a test from the former world champion best known for his defeat of Lennox Lewis in 2001.

"I expect a challenge from Hasim Rahman, because he is up against the strongest man in the heavyweight division and three titles are at stake," Klitschko told reporters at a training session in Heidelberg, near the venue in Mannheim.

"Of course, I expect I'll be more than he can handle," added Klitschko, brother of WBC champion Vitali, who hopes to add to his 45 knockouts in a win-loss record of 51-3.

Rahman, who has a record of 45-6-2, replaced Alexander Povetkin as Klitschko's opponent in October after the Russian pulled out of the bout with a foot injury.

Rahman, 36, caused one of the biggest upsets in boxing history when he knocked out Lewis in the fifth round of their world heavyweight title clash in South Africa in 2001 with a devastating right hook that flattened his British opponent.

Lewis labelled him a one-punch wonder and defeated the American in a re-match later that year.