Hasim Rahman is a world-famous African-American athlete, boxer, champion in the heavy weight category according to WBC, IBF and IBO. He held a total of 61 matches, of which he won 50, 8 ended in defeat, 2 were drawn, and 1 was canceled.
Hasim Rahman: biography
The future champion was born in 1972 in Baltimore, Maryland, USA. In addition to Hashim, there were 8 more brothers and 3 sisters. From childhood, the boy was distinguished by a sharp mind and abilities for sciences, inherited from his father-engineer. Hasim loved to study and even finished several classes as an external student. However, peers mocked and offended him, so he often participated in fights. Having grown up a little and tired of ridicule, Rahman began to skip classes and was expelled from school. Not experiencing a lack of funds, the future athlete led a hectic life and did not worry about anything.
At the age of 18, Hasim Rahman became a father, his son was born. This event forced the young man to rethink his life values and take responsibility for the family. He decided to graduate from high school and go to college in Baltimore.
The first steps in a sports career
Along with the advent of the family, sport broke into the life of Rahman Hashim. The guy begins to engage in boxing and even takes part in amateur fights in the vicinity of his city. One of Rahman’s defeated rivals was so impressed with his victory that he recommended the Mike Lewis Gym club for training and advised him to develop his sports career. After the first 10 amateur fights held, Hasim Rahman switched to professional sports. He made his debut in 1994 and for 4 years won 28 victories in a row.
First defeat
In 1998, Hasim Rahman faced the first serious fight with a world-class athlete from New Zealand, David Tua. He was the best according to IBF and once again confirmed his title. For 8 rounds of the fight, Rahman was ahead. At the very beginning of the 9th round, he missed a powerful blow from an opponent, after which he could not fully recover. The fight ended in round 10, as the judges considered that Rahman could not continue. Perhaps this decision was premature.
Defeated but not broken
Hassim Rahman must be given credit for his unyielding character and willpower. After losing in a fight against David Tua, the boxer was able to brace himself and gain two consecutive victories over Mike Rach and Art Weathers. These were two consecutive knockouts.
At the end of 1999, Hasim Rahman had a serious meeting with another world boxer - Russian Oleg Maskaev. The fight was exhausting, and in round 8 Rahman missed a blow of such force that he simply flew over the ropes. Naturally, after that there was no discussion of any continuation of the match. When the boxer was able to rise to his feet, he climbed into the ring to congratulate the opponent on a decent victory.
The Return and Triumph of Hasim Rahman
In 2000, Hasim Rahman continued to actively train, despite such a disappointing defeat from Oleg Maskaev. During the year he won three victories, thanks to which he earned the right to fight with Lenox Lewis himself.
The beginning of 2001 was truly a triumph for Rahman. On April 21, 2001, a title fight took place, and a sensational victory over Lewis. Hasim Rahman knocked out Lennox Lewis. For the first time in his career, a boxer became both the heavyweight champion at once in the three versions of WBC, IBF and IBO.
Lewis, of course, could not stand the grudge and demanded revenge, which he received at the end of the same 2001. However, Hashim Rahman's knockouts cannot be overlooked, especially in this battle, when the bets against him were 1:20.
A worthy rival with a worldwide reputation
In subsequent years, Hasim Rahman had the opportunity to fight in several more fights with world-class boxers in the heavyweight category. In June 1, 2002, a fight took place between Hasim Rahman and former champion Evander Holyfield. The rivals were approximately equal in strength, but Holyfield had behind him speed, great stamina and experience, which Rakhman, unfortunately, did not have enough. The fight was very exciting, the boxers constantly exchanged blows and used different tactics of the battle. However, shortly before the end of the battle, due to a hematoma on Rakhman’s head, the battle was stopped. Victory on points was given to Holyfield. They note that this was practically the best fight in the career of the latter.
Revenge. What didn’t work out?
In March 2003, Hasim Rahman again met in the ring with David Tua to get revenge for his last defeat. Rahman spent all 12 rounds of the fight, never having missed serious blows, nevertheless, the judges considered the opponents equal and awarded a draw. According to many, this was a controversial decision.
The meeting in 2006 with Oleg Maskaev also did not bring the result expected by Rakhman. The boxer again knocked out in round 4, failing to defeat the famous Russian boxer.
Fights with rivals from the CIS
Hasim Rahman is a world-famous boxer, but, unfortunately, he was not lucky with rivals from the CIS countries. In the period from 2008 to 2011 he came to fight twice with the Slavs.
In 2008, Rahman's next fight took place. This time, Vladimir Klitschko, known for his left-hand punch, became an opponent. Klitschko’s tactics were always quick punches with his left, and then powerful with his right. Hasim Rahman has not in vain received his nickname "The Rock". Although he has great physical strength, great speed is no different. After exhausting Rakhman for 7 rounds and sending him knockdowns more than once, Klitschko won by TKO.
Another CIS representative, Alexander Povetkin, accepted the challenge to the battle in 2011. Hasim Rahman was very responsibly and intensely preparing for this battle. Nevertheless, Povetkin was faster. His tactics of swift attacks worked perfectly. The fight ended with a technical knockout and the victory of Alexander Povetkin.
