Hasim Rahman, 53, will Wednesday announce a comeback that he hopes will lead to him becoming the oldest world heavyweight champion in history.
Rahman, 50-9-2 (41 KOs), hasn’t fought since 2014 when he was outpointed over three rounds by Anthony Nansen during the Super 8 Heavyweight Tournament staged in New Zealand.
It was clear, however, that ‘The Rock” had seen better days long before that. He was stopped in two rounds by Alexander Povetkin in 2012, four years after being clocked in seven by Wladimir Klitschko.
At his best, Rahman was a hard-hitting heavyweight who stunned Lennox Lewis in April 2001, stopping the champion in five rounds to secure one of heavyweight history’s biggest upsets. Rahman, however, would be knocked out in the fourth round of their rematch seven months later.
But Rahman would reclaim a version of the title in 2005, outpointing Monte Barrett to win the WBC interim strap. He would be upgraded to full champion ahead of his draw with James Toney. But a loss to Oleg Maskaev, his second to the Russian, would trigger his decline in 2006.
His son, Hasim Rahman Jnr, rose to prominence of sorts before a proposed bout with Jake Paul was cancelled in 2022.
When speaking with Tris Dixon in June 2023, Rahman Snr hinted that a comeback had long been on his mind.
“It’s something that’s in me,” he said. “The identity as the heavyweight champion is there forever. Like it, love it, it’s there. I’ve never retired. Now my actions may show something different but I’ve never declared that I’m a retired fighter.
“I was heading to death. My rolodex because of boxing and the things I’m doing with my life is far superior than if I didn’t get into boxing. Boxing saved my life.
For me, I feel like being heavyweight champion of the world, all that’s going to do is propel me to be champion in anything I do. Because I already raised the bar for myself. So now, whatever endeavours I get into, the goal is to be the champ.”
Rahman is hoping to return on Tuesday July 14 at ESL Ballpark against an opponent to be decided.
