Former heavyweight champion Hasim Rahman, who most notably defeated Lennox Lewis in 2001, has given a damning verdict on Tyson Fury’s future in the sport.
‘The Rock’ scored a stunning fourth-round finish over Lewis for the WBC and IBF titles, only to lose their immediate rematch via an eighth-round stoppage.
At the age of 53, Rahman is now gearing up for a comeback fight on July 14, though an opponent is yet to be announced for his six-rounder at New York’s ESL Ballpark.
His last professional outing saw him lose to little-known opponent Anthony Nansen in 2014, yet Rahman seemingly believes he is capable of surpassing George Foreman by becoming the oldest heavyweight champion in history.
Whether he can do so, it remains to be seen, but the American clearly feels he stands a greater chance at claiming a piece of silverware than the 37-year-old Fury.
In fact, Rahman has gone as far as to suggest that ‘The Gypsy King’ had his career beaten out of him by Deontay Wilder, who he also believes is significantly over the hill.
Speaking with B4 Champ, Rahman suspects it was their trilogy showdown, in particular, that caused both heavyweights to suffer considerable wear and tear.
“I just think Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury beat [their] careers out of each other – they left their careers in that trilogy. It’s over for both of them.
“You’re never going to see that prime Tyson Fury [again]. It’s over. [He’s] done.”
Fury won his third encounter with Wilder via an 11th-round knockout, but was made to overcome two knockdowns and several spells of adversity when they collided in October 2021.
Based on his performance against Arslanbek Makhmudov, who he unanimously outpointed in April, Rahman believes this Wilder fight was where Fury’s career might as well have ended.
