HASIM RAHMAN JR had to painfully watch his Olympic dream from a prison cell – but now he is fighting to make up for lost time.
The heavyweight is the son of two-time champion Rahman Sr, who famously knocked out Lennox Lewis in 2001.
Hasim Rahman Jr is the son of heavyweight legend Sr
The American spent three years in prison
So for Rahman, moving into the family business was a no brainer as he quit American football to pursue boxing.
And he took to it well, having almost 100 amateur bouts which set up Olympic aspirations.
But that was cut short in 2012, when Rahman was involved in a car crash which fatally killed a 43-year-old truck driver in Las Vegas.
Only 20 at the time of the incident, he was later incarnated for three years after being charged with reckless driving.
Opening up to SunSport, Rahman said: “It just made me realise how important my family was.
“We all help each other, it’s not just me and my career, it’s my brother and his career. It’s my mum and what she’s doing, my dad and what he’s doing.
“It’s everyone and we come together as a family and we have one goal and that’s to keep the Rahman name on top.
“When I was away, my family was the only way I got through it. If it wasn’t for my family, I don’t know where I would be.”
Hasim Rahman Sr with son Jr
Jr turned professional in 2017
Rahman watched from his cell as Team USA failed to enter a heavyweight in the 2016 Olympics in Rio.
But after his release that December, he made his professional debut in 2017 and has been on a mission ever since.
Rahman, 32, said: “I always feel like I’m chasing it a little bit. When I left I was considering being a 178-pounder in the trials.
“But I went away about six-seven months before the trials happened so I didn’t get to participate and I had to watch the Olympics through a cell.
“And it really hurt, especially seeing people out there that I felt like I could have made a difference if I was there.
“It was just tough to go through that experience but I came home and I’ve made the most of the opportunities that have been afforded to me.
“But it’s crunch time now. I should be winning these fights, I should have won my last two fights so we go back, look at it, pray about it and Inshallah we come out on top July 22nd.”
Despite having a famous fighting surname, Rahman felt as though his biggest bout was outside the ring.
Floyd Mayweather with Hasim Rahman Jr has
Because when he and younger brother Sharif were amateurs, they filed a lawsuit against boxing legend Floyd Mayweather.
They had been included in an episode of Showtime’s All Access, in which both of them claimed they sparred for over 30 minutes without a break.
The brothers sought damages of more than $10,000 after alleging battery, tortious assault, false imprisonment, negligent hiring, training, supervision and retention and unjust enrichment.
It was later settled out of court, but Rahman believes it left him blacklisted by the powers that be.
He said: “I’m always going to be fighting that a little bit but it’s up to me and my brothers to break that barrier.
“But it just makes it that much more difficult when you’re fighting against people that are very, very high up in the sport.”
Rahman notched up 12 straight wins before losing in 2022 to Kenzie Morrison, 33, son of ex-champ Tommy.
But four months later he was set to replace Tommy Fury, 24, as an opponent to fight YouTuber-turned boxer Jake Paul, 26.
Jake Paul was set to fight Hasim Rahman Jr in 2022
The fight was cancelled due to a weight disagreement
Eventually that was also scrapped amid a weight disagreement and instead Rahman was signed by Paul’s rival KSI to Misfits Boxing.
Rahman lost his Misfits debut last November to ex-NFL and UFC star Greg Hardy, 34, who had a SEVEN STONE advantage.
Now he is back on Saturday night against bare-knuckle boxing champion and former UFC heavyweight Alan Belcher, 39.
Rahman said: “I know he’s very tough and he’s going to bring a lot of pressure and I know he’s a knockout artist.
“He’s already said he’s coming to knock me out in the second round, so it’s going to be bombs away come July 22nd, that I can guarantee.”
Rahman has teased a switch to MMA himself while not ruling out a return to traditional boxing – as he looks to leave an unprecedented legacy.
He said: “I want to set a mark that can’t nobody touch. I want to do something that is like, ‘Wow, he really did that.’
“I’ve had some really tough fights, I’m coming off two really tough fights and I have a tough fight ahead of me. So there’s one thing right there.
“Especially in this era, people don’t take tough fights and can’t nobody say to me I’m taking easy fights.
“Now it’s time to come out on the winning side and take tough fights after that.
“I don’t want to be known as a fighter that took easy fights or was scared to fight anybody.”
KSI pictured with Hasim Rahman Jr
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does boxers train for a day?
Boxing trainers often train at least 4 hours per day. They also study boxing techniques and learn new moves. Boxers often spar up to 10 times a week.
How long does it take to learn boxing?
Boxing takes 3 months to learn. This includes learning the basics like footwork, balance, and stance. It is important to remember that boxing does not just involve throwing punches. You also need to learn how to block and dodge attacks.
How can I practice boxing defense by myself?
Boxing is among the oldest forms of martial art known to man. Boxing is also one of most difficult sports to learn. It’s not enough to punch someone in their face and knock them out. You should know how to defend against punches, kicks, and other attacks.
First, find a gym that offers boxing. Once you have found a suitable place to train you’ll need some gloves or headgear. The gloves protect your hands, while the headgear protects you. Also, you will need to wear shorts with a T-shirt.
Once you have all your equipment, you need to heat up. Start off slowly and gradually work your way up to full speed. Once you feel comfortable, go for it and spar with another boxer. Don’t worry if you miss. Try again until you get it right.
How to defend yourself
Protect your head when you are being attacked. The goal is to avoid getting punched. You need to be able to block an incoming punch in order to avoid getting punched. Here’s what you need to do:
- Be tall and square your shoulders.
- Keep your elbows close to your sides.
- Your forearm can block the punch coming from your opponent.
- Counterattack immediately.
- Continue blocking the attacker until he runs away.
- Keep fighting for your rights.
How do you practice boxing punches?
A punching bag can be used to practice boxing punches. Once you feel comfortable with the technique, you can punch the bag. Next, move on to the next section of your body. Once you feel you are comfortable in one area, you can move on to another.
Statistics
- It is just like normal sparring with a partner, but you want to throw punches at 75% of your normal speed. (wikihow.com)
- This article received 39 testimonials and 89% of readers who voted found it helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. (wikihow.com)
External Links
expertboxing.com
en.wikipedia.org
How To
How to learn how to box for fitness
How to Learn to Box for Exercise
Your goal in learning boxing is self-confidence and improvement of your physical fitness. Boxing is the most well-known sport in the world. It requires speed, agility and strength.
Boxing can be a great exercise and a way to improve your self-esteem. It will be a fun activity that you will want to do again and again.
There are many types of boxing training programs. Some take place at gyms or health clubs while others require you to train at home. You can also study online from any location in the world.
Make sure you choose a program that meets your needs and is compatible with your lifestyle. The best programs are those that focus on building muscle mass, increasing flexibility, improving cardiovascular endurance, and improving overall well-being.
It’s important to decide whether you prefer a beginner-level course or one that is more advanced. Beginner’s programs typically teach fundamental techniques and drills like shadowboxing, sparring and mitt work. Advanced programs typically offer a wider variety of exercises and cover more complex movements.
Programs for beginners usually last eight weeks and cost less that $100. However, they do not offer guidance on nutrition, weight reduction, injury prevention, or any other aspects of boxing training.
Advanced programs usually last for six months and are around $300. They can include nutrition advice, stretching routines, warm up exercises, and instructions on proper technique. Some programs include resistance training, such as lifting weights, and aerobic conditioning, such as running.
