Hasim Rahman facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Hasim Rahman
Rahman in 2008
Statistics
Real name	Hasim Shariff Rahman
Nickname(s)	The Rock
Rated at	Heavyweight
Height	6 ft 2+1/2 in
Reach	82 in
Born	(1972-11-07) November 7, 1972 (age 52) Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.
Stance	Orthodox
Boxing record
Total fights	62
Wins	50
Wins by KO	41
Losses	9
Draws	2
No contests	1

Hasim Sharif Rahman (born November 7, 1972) is an American former professional boxer. He competed from 1994 to 2014. He was a world heavyweight champion two times. He held the unified WBC, IBF, IBO, and lineal titles in 2001. He also held the WBC title again from 2005 to 2006. He was known for his powerful punches and exciting fights.

Rahman became famous in 2001 when he surprisingly won against Lennox Lewis. He knocked Lewis out to become the unified heavyweight champion. Later that year, Lewis won back his title by knocking out Rahman in a second fight. Rahman won the WBC title again in 2005 by beating Monte Barrett. He was then made the full champion. His time as champion ended in 2006 when he lost to Oleg Maskaev by knockout.

Becoming a Professional Boxer

Starting His Boxing Journey (1994–1997)

Hasim Rahman started boxing a bit later than some, at age 20. He only had 10 amateur fights before he became a professional boxer on December 3, 1994, when he was 22. To make up for his lack of amateur experience, Rahman fought very often as a pro. Sometimes he would have another fight just five days after his last one! He had nine professional fights in 1995 and eleven in 1996.

Rahman had natural boxing talent. He won 11 of his first 12 fights by knockout. In March 1996, he won a 10-round decision against experienced boxer Ross Puritty. Seven months later, he beat former world champion Trevor Berbick. In July 1997, he won the regional USBA heavyweight title. A few months later, he added another regional belt, the IBF Intercontinental heavyweight title. He defended these titles several times.

Challenging for the Heavyweight Title (1998–2000)

On December 19, 1998, Rahman fought David Tua. The winner would get a chance to fight for the IBF title. Rahman was boxing well and seemed to be winning most rounds. But at the end of the 9th round, Tua hit Rahman with a strong punch after the bell. Rahman was dazed. In the next round, Tua landed more big punches, and the referee stopped the fight. Tua won by TKO. Many people thought the punch after the bell should have led to Tua being disqualified.

Even with this controversial loss, Rahman's ranking didn't drop much. However, in November 1999, he was knocked out by Oleg Maskaev in the eighth round. Rahman had seemed to be winning that fight. At one point, Rahman was even knocked out of the ring! Rahman later said he didn't train hard enough for that fight because he thought Maskaev would be an easy win.

Becoming a World Champion

First World Title and Rivalry with Lennox Lewis (2001)

Rahman in 2001

After his loss to Maskaev, Rahman won three more fights. One of these was a tough fight in May 2000 against Corrie Sanders, where Rahman was knocked down twice but came back to win. These wins helped him move back up in the rankings. Finally, on April 22, 2001, Rahman got a chance to fight Lennox Lewis, who was the WBC, IBO, and IBF heavyweight champion.

The fight took place in Brakpan, South Africa. Lewis and Rahman exchanged strong punches for five rounds. Then, Rahman, who was a huge underdog (meaning most people didn't expect him to win), surprised everyone. He defeated Lewis by KO in the 5th round! It was only Lewis's second loss in his career.

Lewis had a contract that allowed him an immediate rematch. Rahman and his new promoter, Don King, wanted Rahman to defend his titles against someone else first. Lewis took Rahman to court to make him honor the rematch contract. The judge agreed with Lewis. So, on November 17, 2001, in Las Vegas, the two boxers fought again. This time, Lewis knocked Rahman out in the fourth round.

Making a Comeback (2002–2004)

Rahman's first fight after losing to Lewis was disappointing. He lost to older former champion Evander Holyfield by a technical decision. This happened because headbutts from Holyfield caused a large swelling on Rahman's forehead.

On March 29, 2003, Rahman fought David Tua for a second time. The fight was called a draw, meaning neither boxer won. Rahman was at his heaviest weight for this fight. In June, the WBC organization made Rahman their number one challenger.

On December 13, Rahman fought John Ruiz for an interim WBA heavyweight title. Rahman was expected to win, but he lost by a unanimous decision after 12 rounds. He was not in good shape for this fight.

After this loss, Rahman fought against less experienced boxers to get back into shape. His hard work paid off. On November 13, 2004, he fought Kali Meehan. This was an important fight, as the winner would become the top challenger for several world titles. Rahman won by knockout in the fourth round at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

Winning a Second World Title (2005)

The WBC organization chose Rahman to be the next boxer to challenge Vitali Klitschko for his title. The fight was first set for April 30, 2005. But Klitschko got injured while training, so the fight was moved to June 18. Then, Klitschko's team said his injury wasn't fully healed, so the WBC set a new date for July 23. After another delay due to Klitschko's back injury, the fight was pushed back to November 12.

Because of all these delays, Rahman fought for a WBC "Interim" heavyweight championship. He defeated Monte Barrett on August 13, 2005, by a unanimous decision.

Then, on November 7, it was announced that Klitschko had a serious knee injury and would not be able to fight. On November 9, Vitali Klitschko decided to retire from boxing. Because of this, on November 10, 2005, the WBC voted to give its heavyweight championship to Rahman. This made Hasim Rahman a two-time heavyweight champion!

Title Fights and Losing the Title (2006)

On March 18, 2006, Rahman fought James Toney in a 12-round fight. The fight ended in a draw, so Rahman kept his WBC heavyweight title. The judges' scores were very close.

On August 12, 2006, Rahman lost his WBC heavyweight championship to his rival Oleg Maskaev. This was a required defense of his title. Rahman was ahead on the judges' scorecards for most of the fight. However, in the 12th round, Rahman was knocked down and then stumbled. Maskaev landed many punches, and Rahman couldn't defend himself. The referee stopped the fight to protect Rahman.

Later Career and Personal Life

Another Comeback (2007)

After a 10-month break, Rahman started boxing again. On June 14, 2007, he won a 10-round decision against Taurus Sykes. Rahman then fought three times in three months, winning all of them by TKO. On November 15, 2007, he won the NABF title by TKO against Zuri Lawrence.

Fights in 2008

In 2008, Rahman was still considered a strong boxer. He held the NABF title and was ranked highly by other boxing organizations. However, he lost both of his fights that year.

On July 16, 2008, Rahman fought James Toney again. The fight was stopped due to an accidental headbutt. The result was later changed to a "No Contest," meaning it was as if the fight never happened.

Rahman then lost to Wladimir Klitschko by TKO in the 7th round on December 13, 2008. This fight was for Klitschko's WBO, IBO, and IBF titles. Klitschko controlled the fight, winning every round. Rahman seemed unable to handle Klitschko's powerful punches. The referee stopped the fight in the 7th round after Rahman was knocked down and looked disoriented.

Layoff and Third Comeback (2009–2011)

After his loss to Wladimir Klitschko, Rahman took a break from boxing. Fifteen months later, in March 2010, he made another comeback. He won his first fight back by TKO. He then won his next four fights, all by knockout. His win over Galen Brown was his 50th professional win!

Final Fights (2012–2014)

In 2012, Rahman got another chance at a world title. He fought Alexander Povetkin for the WBA heavyweight championship. Povetkin beat Rahman by TKO in the 2nd round.

In 2014, Rahman joined a boxing tournament called the Super 8 Tournament in New Zealand. Even though he was expected to win, the older Rahman lost to a lesser-known boxer named Anthony Nansen in the quarter-final on June 4, 2014. This was his last professional fight.

Personal Life

Hasim Rahman was born on November 7, 1972, and grew up in Baltimore, Maryland. He is a practicing Muslim. During his famous fight against Lennox Lewis, he was fasting for the month of Ramadan.

When he was younger, Rahman faced many challenges. He was involved in a serious car accident that left scars on his face and ear. He also survived a shooting. In 2001, Rahman and his family were in another car accident. Rahman was not seriously hurt, but his wife, Crystal, had to go to the hospital.

Hasim Rahman has a son named Hasim Rahman Jr., who is also a professional boxer.

Professional Boxing Record Summary

Images for kids

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  Rahman in 2008

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  Rahman in 2001

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  Rahman during training, 2008

See also

In Spanish: Hasim Rahman para niños