Hasim Rahman is a world famous African-American athlete, boxer, WBC, IBF and IBO heavyweight champion. He had a total of 61 fights, 50 of which he won, 8 ended in defeat, 2 were drawn, and 1 was cancelled.
Hasim Rahman: biography
The future champion was born in 1972 in B altimore, Maryland, USA. In addition to Hasim, there were 8 more brothers and 3 sisters. From childhood, the boy was distinguished by a sharp mind and abilities for the sciences, inherited from his father, an engineer. Hasim loved to study and even completed several classes as an external student. However, peers mocked and offended him, so he often participated in fights. Having matured a little and tired of ridicule, Rahman began to skip classes and was expelled from school. Not lacking 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 made the young man rethink his life values and take responsibilityfor family. He made the decision to graduate from high school and go to college in B altimore.
First steps in sports career
Simultaneously with the advent of a family, sport broke into the life of Rahman Hasim. The guy starts 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 for training and advised him to develop his sports career. Already after the first 10 amateur fights, Hasim Rahman switched to professional sports. He made his debut in 1994 and won 28 consecutive victories in 4 years.
First defeat
In 1998, Hasim Rahman had his first serious fight with 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 deemed Rahman unable to continue. Perhaps this decision was premature.
Defeated but not broken
We must pay tribute to Hasim Rahman for his unbending character and willpower. After the defeat in the fight against David Tua, the boxer was able to gather his courage and win two consecutive victories over Mike Rach and Art Weathers. It was two consecutive knockouts.
At the end of 1999Hasim Rahman had a serious meeting with another world-class boxer - Russian Oleg Maskaev. The fight was exhausting, and in the 8th round Rahman missed a blow of such force that he simply flew out of the ropes. Naturally, after that, there was no talk of any continuation of the fight. When the boxer was able to get to his feet, he stepped into the ring to congratulate his opponent on a worthy victory.
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 scored three victories, thanks to which he earned the right to fight with Lenox Lewis himself.
The beginning of 2001 was truly triumphant for Rahman. On April 21, 2001, the 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 a heavyweight champion in three WBC, IBF and IBO versions at the same time.
Lewis, of course, could not stand the insult and demanded revenge, which he received at the end of the same 2001. However, Hasim Rahman's knockouts cannot be ignored, especially in this fight when the odds against him were 1:20.
A worthy opponent with a worldwide reputation
In the following years, Hasim Rahman had the opportunity to fight several more fights against world-class boxers in the heavyweight division. In 2002, on June 1, a fight took place between Hasim Rahman and former champion EvanderHolyfield. The rivals were approximately equal in strength, but Holyfield had speed, great endurance and experience, which Rahman, unfortunately, lacked. The fight was very exciting, the boxers were constantly exchanging blows and using different fighting tactics. However, shortly before the end of the fight due to a hematoma on Rahman's head, the fight was stopped. Holyfield won on points. It is noted that it was practically the best fight in the career of the latter.
Revenges. What went wrong?
In March 2003, Hasim Rahman again met in the ring with David Tua to get revenge for the last defeat. Rahman spent all 12 rounds of the fight, never missing a serious blow, however, the judges considered the opponents to be 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 expected result by Rahman. The boxer was again knocked out in the 4th round, having failed to defeat the famous Russian boxer.
Fights with opponents from the CIS
Hasim Rahman is a world-famous boxer, but, unfortunately, he had no luck with opponents from the CIS countries. In the period from 2008 to 2011, he had to fight the Slavs twice.
In 2008 Rahman's next fight took place. This time the opponent was Wladimir Klitschko, known for his left hand strike. Klitschko's tactic has always been quick left strikes, and then powerful right ones. Hasim Rahman earned his nickname "The Rock" for a reason. Although he has great physical strength, he does not differ in great speed. After exhausting Rahman for 7 rounds and knocking him down more than once, Klitschko won by TKO.
Another representative of the CIS, Alexander Povetkin, accepted the challenge to fight in 2011. Hasim Rahman was very responsibly and intensely preparing for this fight. Nevertheless, Povetkin was faster. His tactics of swift attacks worked perfectly. The fight ended with a technical knockout and the victory of Alexander Povetkin.
Tactics and strategy
It is worth noting that the fights involving Hasim Rahman are almost always spectacular and varied. Since Rahman is not a tactician by nature, he does not have a clear plan of action and his own special manner of fighting. His main trump card and advantage is the ability to adapt to the enemy, improvise, and navigate the situation. A truly great and powerful boxer is Hasim Rahman. The photo in the article shows us his physical strength and vitality. He really loves his work and puts all his strength into it to please the viewer.
The only exception to the rule was the fight with Johnny Ruiz, held in 2003. Boxing fans dubbed it "the most boring fight of 2003". Ruiz's victory on points came as a surprise to all fans.
In all life situations, in victories and defeats, Hasim Rahman is supported by his wife and three children. Perhaps it is they who give him the strength to continue playing sports and not break.
