By James Slater: What does a once prominent and formidable fighter (or in this case a two-time alphabet heavyweight ruler) do once his reputation and marquee value has faded badly in America? Why, he takes some time off and then looks to box on on foreign soil, that’s what. “The Nigerian Nightmare” himself, Samuel Peter, once one of the hottest names on the lips of US heavyweight fights fans, looks to resume his own faltering career tonight in Mexico, and now, on October 3rd, it looks like Hasim Rahman will do likewise, in New Zealand.
“The Rock,” now aged 36 and winless in his last two outings, put on a disappointing (albeit short notice) performance against IBF and WBO heavyweight boss Wladimir Klitscho last December, and a number of fans felt the former champ would, and should, call it a career as a result. But Rahman, still best known for his stunning 5th-round KO of all-time great Lennox Lewis way back in 2001, is to fight on.
According to New Zealand Sunday Times, Rahman will almost certainly box on the upcoming October 3rd card that will be headlined by David Tua-Shane Cameron. Against an opponent yet top be named (three candidates are John Hopoate, Solomon Haumono and Kali Meehman), Rahman will be looking to get his first win in 23 months.
Nothing has been confirmed yet, but there is already speculation in New Zealand that should Rahman and Tua both win, a third bout will be fought between the two men who met back in 1998 and again in 2003 – with Tua winning a 10th-round TKO in fight-one, and a draw being reached in the return. It seems then, that there is still a way back – to at least a decent purse or two – for the man who appeared to fight so dismally against Wladimir Klitschko seven months ago.
David Higgins, promoter of the Tua-Cameron show, is delighted to have gotten Rahman, 45-7-2(36) to agree to fight on his promotion.
“He [Rahman] was our preferred choice [to box on the Tua-Cameron card] but we thought it might be a long shot,” Higgins told The Sunday Times. “He was top of the list and we are delighted to be bringing him to New Zealand. He’s in his mid-30s, arguably the prime years for a heavyweight, and he fought for a world title last year at short notice. With a former world champion on the under-card and the bloke who knocked him (out) [Tua], it makes it without a doubt the greatest heavyweight card in Australia in our generation.”
Rahman will no doubt be thrilled that a new audience is excited about seeing him fight. Not to be disrespectful, but no way would any US audience be feeling even half as excited about the next instalment of the former champ’s now stagnant career. Having said that, if Rahman can get himself an impressive KO win on October 3rd, and if Tua can do the same, a third fight between the two punchers would be a pretty reasonable match-up.
Let’s see if the two past their best bangers can do the business on October 3rd.