Hasim Rahman has decided to astonishingly return to the ring at the age of 53.
Rahman hasn’t entered the squared circle since 2014 well beyond his prime years after a stellar career in the heavyweight division.
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Lewis’ famous conqueror Rahman will return as a veteran, 25 years on from his KO winCredit: Getty
The American duelled with some of the greatest to ever do it including Evander Holyfield and Wladimir Klitschko.
But he was notorious for becoming just the second fighter to stop Lennox Lewis as a professional, famously flattening him in South Africa in 2001.
Although losing to Lewis in an immediate rematch, the result was one of the biggest upsets ever and his legendary name sits in boxing folklore.
But in a shocking new development, he has confirmed he will return to the ring as a professional well into his 50’s.
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The veteran is set to announce his return this week, with the seemingly impossible goal of trying to become the oldest heavyweight world champion in history.
He is set to fight again for the first time professionally since 2014 ending a 12-year hiatus.
Rahman’s first outing is set to be on Tuesday July 14 at ESL Ballpark, with his opposition to be confirmed in the coming weeks.
Of course his goal is wildly optimistic at best, but he isn’t the first to chase highs well beyond his physical prime.
Oliver McCall, the only other fighter to KO Lewis, has also been fighting in bizarre outings, but is not targeting the very top of the division.
It remains to be seen what level Rahman will compete at, but there will be danger if he does choose to try and launch a world title campaign.
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Rahman astonishingly wants to become the oldest ever heavyweight championCredit: GettyWhy is Rahman coming back?
Boxers, particularly legends who reach the top of the game, struggle to leave the sport behind.
Rahman has long suggested he believes he has more to give in the heavyweight division.
And he has admitted in the past that he can never shut down his fighting spirit years on.
He explained: “It’s something that’s in me. The identity as the heavyweight champion is there forever.
“Like it, love it, it’s there. I’ve never retired. Now my actions may show something different but I’ve never declared that I’m a retired fighter.
For me, I feel like being heavyweight champion of the world, all that’s going to do is propel me to be champion in anything I do.
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“Because I already raised the bar for myself. So now, whatever endeavours I get into, the goal is to be the champ.
“Boxing saved my life.”