HASIM RAHMAN JR is the son of a legend who fights on Mike Tyson’s undercard at short notice.
The cruiserweight prospect – who once was involved in spat with Floyd Mayweather – faces ex-UFC fighter Rashad Coulter on Saturday.
Hasim Rahman with his son Jr Credit: Instagram @_jr
It comes after Brit Viddal Riley pulled out injured, with Rahman Jr filling on as replacement.
For the 29-year-old, boxing is a family affair, as Rahman takes inspiration from his dad Hasim Sr.
The heavyweight famously knocked out Lennox Lewis in 2001, and shared the ring with other legenda such as Evander Holyfield and Wladimir Klitschko.
Jr made his debut in 2017, only three years after his dad’s retirement.
He eased past all nine of his fights, winning four by knockout.
And he is already dreaming of world title glory, just like his father accomplished twice, who is backing his son all the way.
Hasim Jr told Sky Sports: “He feels like we could be moving a little bit faster.
“But we’re taking the necessary steps to get to a world title at the end of the day, and nobody is at fault for the pandemic and nobody is at fault for fights being stopped, because of the coronavirus.
“That’s unfortunate, but my dad has my back, 100 per cent.”
Rahman will face Rashad Coulter on Mike Tysn’s undercard Credit: Instagram @_jr
The cruiserweight is filling in for Viddal Riley Credit: Instagram @_jr
As Rahman steps up on late notice, he will share the card with a familiar face, and not those of his dad’s era.
The American has formed a friendship with YouTuber-turned boxer Jake Paul, who fights ex-NBA star Nate Robinson in the co-headliner.
Rahman sparred the social media phenomenon before Paul, 23, won his pro debut in January.
And when he checked back later this year, he immediately noticed the improvement.
Rahman revealed: “I kind of expected the same thing that I boxed the first time – and that’s not what I got.
“I got somebody that had a better right hand, I had somebody that was actually stepping in with the jab.
“The best thing about it is – I had somebody that could control his distance.
“The first time he couldn’t really do anything like that. He was really just fighting. I could just tell that he had heart.
YouTuber Jake Paul sparred unbearen Rahman Credit: Instagram @_jr
Logan Paul with Rahman and his brother Jake Credit: Instagram @_jr
“Now he’s using his distance better, he’s actually stepping into his jab, instead of just putting it there, and he’s throwing a good one-two.
“He’s definitely progressing and he’s getting a lot better. I think that he’ll handle Nate Robinson pretty easy.”
As well as his unbeaten record and famous dad, Rahman also received attention after he and his brother Sharif were involved in infamous row at Mayweather’s gym.
It stemmed from a pair of sparring session in 2014, which were documented on Showtime’s ‘All Access’ pre-fight series.
Sharif sparred Brit Donovan Cameron and were supposedly given minimal breaks.
The continuous sparring is what Mayweather called ‘Doghouse’ rules.
After Sharif took a beating from Cameron, big brother Hasim showed up at the gym and demanded revenge, in the form of another spar.
The challenge was accepted, with the Rahman brothers’ mum this time ringside to bark orders at her eldest.
Floyd Mayweather pictured next to Donovan Cameron, and Sharif Rahman
Mayweather watches on the sparring in his Las Vegas gym
Rahman Jr pictured with Mayweather after turning up for revenge Credit: Showtime
Cameras revealed the sparring session lasted 31 straight minutes
Mayweather also sat ringside and encouraged the session, which cameras revealed lasted 31 straight minutes.
But after it aired – which was in the build up to Mayweather’s win over Marcos Maidiana – the legend found himself in hot water.
He was called before the Nevada State Athletic Commission to answer questions about the incident.
Mayweather, who was executive producer of the show, claimed the sparring scenes were staged in order to help boost pay-per-view sales.
And he said the 31-minute sparring session did not happen and the boxers were allowed to take several breaks.
The commission accepted his version of events and closed the matter without punishing the pound-for-pound great.
The Rahamn brothers both amateurs at the time, but have since turned pro, with Sharif since going 3-0.
Ex-UFC star Rashad Coulter shows off his moves in boxing training
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
