Before the IBF, WBO and IBO heavyweight world champion Wladimir Klitschko defended his title against ex-world champion Hasim Rahman in the SAP Arena on 13 December 2008, they both appeared for an official weigh-in for the press as tradition would have it. The spirit of the venue – the location chosen was the famous Hall of Knights in Mannheim Castle which was used in the 17th century for meetings between knights of the Palatinate Hubertus Order – was very effective as a backdrop for the modern trial of strength staged between Klitschko and Rahman.

Apart from the main fighters, measurements were also taken of the two previous boxers, ex-heavyweight world champion Riddick Bowe and Gene Pukall. The event was presented by the world-famous boxing match announcer Michael Buffer and RTL’s Gregor König.