Hasim Rahman Sr returning to boxing shortly will make some noise but it brings up a lot of things boxing needs to discuss as a sport.
Recently former heavyweight champion from the US Oliver McCall came back to professional boxing at the astonishing age of 61 and had a draw last year and a win in 2025 as well, as well as a win in 2024. All low key small hall shows.
Former WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder came back recently and had a close points win over Derek Chisora but his power even looked gone when he landed clean on Chisora, despite Wilder saying he was in his prime, he was not.
Now Hasim Rahman Sr is returning to boxing at the age of 53 who will headline a card at the ESL Ballpark on Tuesday night on July 14th this summer.
His fight in Rochester, New York will be against an opponent to be named.
Rahman for those new to boxing once knocked out former undisputed heavyweight champion of the world Lennox Lewis with a baseball bat of a right hand in their first fight in South Africa.
Only to then lose the rematch by knockout himself.
But that first fight was one one of the biggest upsets in heavyweight boxing at the time, a legendary win in heavyweight boxing history.
His son Hasim Rahman Jr has boxed in recent years as well but largely Hasim Rahman Sr has been away from the lime light until now.
Some context for those new to boxing on his last time he was in boxing firstly.
Last 5 fights:
- June 4, 2014 – Lost UD 3 vs Anthony Nansen
- Sept 29, 2012 – Lost TKO 2 vs Alexander Povetkin
- June 11, 2011 – Won TKO 6 vs Galen Brown
- Oct 2, 2010 – Won KO 1 vs Marcus McGee
- Aug 14, 2010 – Won KO 6 vs Damon Reed
Aswell, here’s why a comeback at age 53 is dangerous:
- Age 53 greatly increases risk of brain bleeding and serious head trauma.
- 20-year pro career with 62 fights means heavy accumulated brain damage.
- Reflexes and reaction time slow significantly with age.
- Weaker neck muscles reduce ability to absorb punches.
- Body heals much slower from training and sparring damage.
- Reduced stamina and cardiovascular fitness after 12 years out.
- Legs and footwork decline first, leaving him an easier target.
- Higher chance of one-punch knockout or stoppage due to faded durability.
- Past wars against Lewis, Klitschko, and others left lasting wear.
- Medical commissions flag fighters over 40 as high-risk for neurological injury.
The likes of him and any other old former champion coming back brings eyeballs to their fights but there is risk involved for him.
Mike Tyson coming back in recent years was only against Jake Paul, a novice boxer, and Tyson was just doing exhibitions before that.
Wladimir Klitschko has also talked about coming back soon and sure, the heavyweight division is maybe the weakest it has been in decades right now.
Maybe that’s why so many of them are coming back to it.
But at some point, there is a risk one of them will one into and that will be it for them.
Boxing is returning to the masses at the moment and is doing great but for old boxers to comeback and risk their health is their call at the end of the day.
