Hasim Rahman returns at 53 chasing George Foreman’s record

The former heavyweight champion says he intends to reclaim a world title at age 53 and surpass Foreman’s historic mark

Former heavyweight champion Hasim Rahman says he is not returning to boxing for a farewell appearance. The 53-year-old insists he intends to win a heavyweight world title and break George Foreman’s record as the oldest heavyweight champion in history.

“I feel stronger, I feel better. I feel more knowledgeable. My legs are strong, my arms are strong, my endurance is insane right now,” said Rahman to 13WHAM ABC News.

“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.”

Rahman shocked the boxing world in April 2001 when he knocked out Lennox Lewis in South Africa to capture the heavyweight title. Although Lewis avenged the defeat later that year, Rahman returned to championship status in 2005 when he defeated Monte Barrett for the vacant WBC belt.

George Foreman set the current mark by regaining the heavyweight championship at 45 years old in 1994, stopping Michael Moorer to become the oldest heavyweight titleholder in boxing history. Rahman will turn 54 later this year.

Rahman has not fought since 2014, when he suffered a defeat to Anthony Nansen. His last professional victory came in June 2011.

The heavyweight landscape has also changed dramatically since Rahman’s championship days. Oleksandr Usyk currently holds the WBC, WBA, and WBO titles, while Daniel Dubois possesses the IBF belt. Agit Kabayel remains Usyk’s WBC mandatory challenger, and several younger contenders continue positioning themselves for title opportunities.

Rahman is scheduled to return next month on July 14th at the ESL Ballpark in Rochester, New York, as he begins his attempt to surpass Foreman’s mark as the oldest heavyweight champion in boxing history.

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