Hasim Rahman: Twice to the pinnacle

No one can say that Hasim Rahman has ever been a reluctant warrior. Having faced Lennox Lewis, David Tua (twice each), Evander Holyfield, Corrie Sanders and John Ruiz – Rahman has won some and lost more at the top. As a champion and challenger, Rahman is a throwback in the sense that his initial climb to the heavyweight title, and his subsequent climb back into contention have come through fighting all the notable contenders, winning some and losing some along the way. It is odd then that Hasim Rahman’s odyssey to regain the heavyweight title has him being fitted for a belt without a punch being thrown. On November 12th, he was to have faced Vitali Klitschko, the best of the lot of four alphabet titlists. With Klitschko’s retirement, Rahman ascends based on his win in an “interim” title fight with Monte Barrett.