Boxer Hasim Rahman: biography and sporting achievements

Hasim Rahman is a world-famous African-American sportsman, boxer, champion in the heavyweight category according to the WBC, IBF and IBO versions. He spent a total of 61 bouts, 50 of which won, 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 Hasim, there were 8 brothers and 3 sisters. Since childhood, the boy was noted for his sharp intellect and abilities for the sciences inherited from his father-engineer. Hasim loved to learn and even finished several classes with the external. However, peers mocked him and offended him, so he often took part in fights. A little older and tired of ridicule, Rahman began to skip classes and was expelled from school. Not lacking funds, the future athlete led a disorderly way of life and did not worry about anything.

At the age of 18 Hasim Rahman became a father, he had a son. 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

Simultaneously with the appearance of the family, sports broke into Rahman Hasim's life. The guy starts to be engaged in boxing and even takes part in amateur fights in vicinities of the city. One of Rakhman's defeated opponents was so impressed with his victory that he recommended for training the Mike Lewis Gym club and advised him to develop his sports career. Already after the first 10 amateur battles, Hasim Rahman went into professional sports. He made his debut in 1994 and won 28 wins in four years.

First defeat

In 1998, Hasim Rahman was facing the first serious fight with a world-class athlete from New Zealand David Tua. He was the best in the version of IBF and once again confirmed his rank. During the 8 rounds of the match, Rahman was ahead. At the very beginning of the 9th round, he missed a powerful blow from the opponent, after which he could not fully recover. The battle ended in the 10th round, as the judges found that Rahman could not continue. Perhaps this decision was premature.

Defeated, but not broken

We must pay tribute to Hasim Rahman for his unyielding character and willpower. After losing in a fight against David Tua, the boxer was able to gather with spirit and win two victories over Mike Rach and Art Uechers. These were two held in a row knockout.

In late 1999, Hasim Rahman was facing 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 for the ropes. Naturally, after this, there was no question of any continuation of the fight. When the boxer was able to rise to his feet, he rose to the ring to congratulate the opponent with a decent victory.

Return and triumph of Hasim Rahman

In 2000, Hasim Rahman continued to actively train, despite such an insulting defeat from Oleg Maskaev. During the year he won three wins, due to which he deserved the right to fight with Lenox Lewis himself.

The beginning of 2001 was truly triumphal 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, the boxer became simultaneously a heavyweight champion at once for three versions of the WBC, IBF and IBO.

Lewis, of course, did not tolerate resentment and demanded a revenge, which he received at the end of that same year. However, the knockouts of Hasim Rahman can not be overlooked, especially in this fight, when the bets against him were 1:20.

A worthy rival of world renown

In the following years, Hasim Rahman had the opportunity to fight in several more matches with world-class boxers in the heavyweight division. In 2002, on June 1, a battle took place between Hasim Rahman and former champion Evander Holyfield. Rivals were about equal in strength, but Holyfield's shoulders - speed, great endurance and experience, which unfortunately Rachmanu was not enough. The fight was very exciting, the boxers constantly exchanged blows and used different tactics of the fight. However, shortly before the end of the battle, because of the hematoma on the head of Rahman, the battle was stopped. The victory on points gave Holyfield. It is noted that this was practically the best fight in the career of the latter.

Revenge. What did not work out?

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 having missed serious blows, nevertheless the judges found 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 Rahman. The boxer again went into the knockout in the 4th round, and failed to defeat the famous Russian boxer.

Battles 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 twice to fight the Slavs.

In 2008, Rachman's next fight took place. This time, the opponent was Vladimir Klichko, known for his left hand. Klitschko's tactics were always quick left strikes, and then powerful ones - right. Hasim Rahman knowingly received his nickname "Rock". Although it has great physical strength, the speed does not differ much. Having exhausted Rahman for 7 rounds and repeatedly knocked him down, Klitschko won by technical knockout.

Another representative of the CIS, Alexander Povetkin, accepted the challenge to fight in 2011. Hasim Rahman was very responsible and tense preparing for this fight. Nevertheless, Povetkin was faster. His tactics of rapid attacks acted as well as possible. The battle ended with TKO and Alexander Povetkin's victory.

Tactics and strategy

It should be noted that the fights with the participation of Hasim Rahman are almost always spectacular and diverse. Since Rahman by nature is not a tactician, he does not have a clear plan of action and his own special manner of fighting. His main trump card and advantage - the ability to adjust to the enemy, improvise, 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 energy into it to please the viewer.

The only exception to the rule was the battle with Johnny Ruiz, held in 2003. Fans of boxing dubbed him "the most boring duel of 2003". Ruiz's victory on the points was a surprise for all the fans.

In any life situations, in the victories and defeats of Hasim Rahman, his wife and three children support him. Perhaps, it is they who give him the strength to continue to play sports and not break.