This Day In History (November 7, 1972)

Today in Boxing History: Hasim Rahman Born in Baltimore

On this day in 1972, former two-time heavyweight champion Hasim Shariff Rahman was born in Baltimore, Maryland.

On this day in 1972, former two-time heavyweight champion Hasim Shariff Rahman was born in Baltimore, Maryland.

The Rock’s most memorable victory occurred in South Africa on April 22, 2001, when he knocked out Lennox Lewis to win his first heavyweight title. Rahman had arrived a month early to adjust to Johannesburg’s high altitude, and used that acclimation to his advantage from the opening bell.

In the fifth round, he chased Lewis to the ropes with an overhand right and a string of jabs before landing one of the greatest right hands in boxing history, which sent Lewis crashing to canvas. He made it to his feet by the count of 10, but referee Daniel Van de Wiele saw that Lewis was unable to continue and stopped the fight at 2:32 in the fifth.

Lewis regained his WBC and IBF Heavyweight Titles from Rahman via a fourth-round knockout seven months later in Las Vegas. “The Rock” went through a difficult career period following the loss, going 0-3-1 in his next four bouts.

He entered 2004 a much more focused fighter and won his next six fights, including a 12-round decision over Monte Barrett for the vacant WBC Heavyweight Title in August of 2005. Although he lost that belt to Oleg Maskaev in August of year, Rahman remains one of the most formidable forces in the heavyweight division today.