Hasim Rahman, the man who once shocked the world by stopping Lennox Lewis, is coming out of retirement at age 53 with a specific target in his sights: breaking George Foreman’s record as the oldest world heavyweight champion in history. Rahman insists the doubters will be eating their words just as they did before, declaring of his title quest, “I will do it.”
The former heavyweight champion last fought in 2014, dropping a decision to the unheralded Anthony Nansen. His last victory dates back to June 2011, a full decade after his upset of Lewis.
Rahman addressed his comeback ambitions in an interview with ABC News, brushing aside the long odds stacked against him.
“I feel stronger, I feel better. I feel more knowledgeable. My legs are strong, my arms are strong, my endurance is insane right now,” Rahman said.
“For those who don’t believe, don’t act like you believe once I do this. I heard this before the first time I won the title, the second time I won the title. I will become the oldest world heavyweight champion.”
Chasing The Foreman Record
George Foreman holds the record as the oldest world heavyweight champion in history at age 46. Rahman is set to begin his quest to break that mark next month, fighting at the ESL Ballpark in Rochester, New York.
Lewis, an Olympic gold medallist, is regarded as one of the best heavyweights of the modern era. He claimed world honours on three separate occasions and reached undisputed status, defeating every man he ever faced. The only two blemishes on his record came against Oliver McCall and Rahman, both of which Lewis avenged in rematches.
Even a victory in Rochester leaves the path to a title shot looking implausible. Oleksandr Usyk and Daniel Dubois currently hold the four world belts between them, with a deep field of top contenders already waiting in line for their opportunities.
Via ABC News
