Although many onlookers might regard Hasim Rahman’s greatest victory as the one he scored over Lennox Lewis, the man himself holds another in higher regard.
The Baltimore-born boxer had a total of 62 fights between 1994 and 2014 and, in that time, he became a heavyweight champion on two separate occasions, holding the unified WBC, IBF, IBO and lineal titles in 2001 and then regaining the WBC title from 2005 to 2006.
It was in 2001 that he truly catapulted this name onto the world stage with an upset knockout victory over the then unified champion Lewis. Just over six months later, Lewis famously avenged the loss and regained his titles.
Speaking to Pro Boxing Fans, Rahman was asked about his best memories and rather than picking that break-out win he went with his first world title victory in May 2000.
“I picked up my first world title knocking out a hard-hitting South African named Corey Sanders and for me that was my favourite fight and my best fight because I got tested.
“I got knocked down, I had to get up. Actually, we had a double knockdown. The fight was so exciting. I grabbed the ropes so it didn’t get counted as a knockdown for me and for me to then come out and win by stoppage was an incredible moment. It was the WBU world title but it was my biggest moment I think.”
Rahman went on to fight the likes of James Toney twice, once to a draw and once being stopped by an accidental headbutt, as well as Wladimir Klitschko. These days he oversees the career of his son and some other young fighters.