Boxing

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.

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ROY JONES JR’S last opponent has backed him in his ’50-50′ fight against Mike Tyson – and revealed what he must do to win.
Jones closed out his career in February 2018 with a points win over ten rounds against Scott Sigmon.

Roy Jones Jr alongside his final opponent Scott Sigmon Credit: Instagram / @scottcujosigmon

And while it may prove to be his final professional fight, Jones will step through the ropes once more.
The former four-division champion – who won the heavyweight belt in 2003 – faces fellow legend Mike Tyson in an exhibition bout this Saturday.
Sigmon, 33, who most recently shared the ring with Jones, 51, broke down his chances against Tyson, 54, who will box for the first time in 15 years.
He told SunSport: “I want Roy to win. But it’s pretty close to a 50-50.

“I think if 25 years ago they fought, Roy Jones would have probably beat Mike Tyson fairly easy.
“I’m a B-level, 168lb fighter and I can put Roy Jones on the ropes, depending on what Mike has left imagine what Mike Tyson may be capable of.
“I’m not anywhere near as explosive or as bigger puncher of Mike Tyson.
“I’m strong but if Mike gets Roy on the ropes he’s going to have to get rid of him.

“I don’t think Mike’s going to stay right up on him for eight rounds.
“I guess Roy’s going to have to weather the storm and stay defensively sound.”
Jones is celebrated as one of the greatest boxers ever to lace up the gloves.
Winning titles all the way from middleweight to heavyweight, he seemed invincible in his prime.
But the the iconic technician is no longer the once great operator he used to be.
And Sigmon experienced it first hand two years ago in Pensacola.
Despite recognising Jones had not lost a step in his controlling of the ring, he was a shadow of his former self.

And Sigmon fears the time spent fighting well out of his prime may come back to haunt him.
He explained: “Everyone says that Roy’s been active and Mike hasn’t but Roy has maybe left too much of himself in the ring.
“I mean, he’s not Roy Jones anymore. He can only be Roy Jones for about ten or 15 seconds a round.
“But he did a good job at managing his time and exploding in the right spots.
“He’s got like 70 plus fights, I’ve got 50 and got better but he’s fought at the world-class level a lot longer than I have.
“He has great ring IQ and ring awareness and he knows how to manage a round.
“I guess I actually prepared for a little bit better of a fighter. I wasn’t on my A-game.”
Jones and Sigmon had crossed paths several times before they fought, but their weight differences always ruled out a bout.

But when super-middleweight Sigmon broke his hand and gained weight, he found himself primed to stand across the man he idolised growing up.
The Virginia native well forever be thankful of the experience Jones afforded him in the icon’s farewell fight.
Sigmon said: “To have accomplished everything he’s done and to act the way he acts, and carried himself, it’s incredible.
“After the fight everybody was trying to get to the press conference, it was so exciting. Nobody gave a s*** about me.
“Roy asked to see my mother, and he cut my mum in front of everybody.
“And he put his hand on her shoulder and said, ‘You should be proud of your son he done a great job here tonight’.
“She started crying and he didn’t have to do that.
“I know it’s hard to say about a guy you shared the ring with and beat the hell out of for 30 minutes but he’s a really genuine, sweet caring and nice guy.”

Jones retired in 2018 but will return for his exhibition against Mike Tyson Credit: Getty Images – Getty
Sigmon has had six fights since facing Jones, winning four.
He also coaches at his own gym, called The Hurt Factory and promotes local shows, which has been affected by the coronavirus pandemic.
Sigmon hopes to return in early 2021 and will be waiting for any opportunity to pull off an upset against any unassuming up and comers.
He said: “I’m looking to get a guy who was at the top, had a lost and is trying to get back. And I fight that guy.
“Or fight like a rising Olympian and pull off the upset.
“Let’s be honest, I’m not going to be fighting no Canelo Alvarez’s or Artur Beterbiev’s unless they get real desperate!
“I’m going to be back on weight around February and I’ll be calling DAZN, ESPN, bothering the hell out of the matchmakers just to get a fight.”

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BADOU JACK hopes his friends Mike Tyson and Roy Jones Jr do not ‘get hurt’ when they come out of retirement to fight each other.
But the Swede – who fights on the undercard – warned that despite the so-called exhibition rules, ‘somebody can still get knocked out’.

Mike Tyson pictured with former champion Badou Jack

Roy Jones Jr with Jack, who fights on his undercard

Jack, 37, told SunSport: “It would be one thing if one guy was against a younger guy, but they’re both near the same age so at least it’s kind of fair.
“I’m friends with both of them so I hope none of them get hurt, because they’re up in age.
“It’s hard to say as it’s an exhibition but somebody can still get knocked out.”
Tyson, 54, and Jones, 51, have both been instructed not to try and knock each other out this Saturday by the California State Athletic Commission.

CSAC have repeatedly reaffirmed that the pay-per-view spectacle is nothing more than a glorified sparring sessions.
But the night’s main-eventers – who came close to fighting in 2003 – have distanced themselves from that stance, promising all-action.
And Jack – who is close to both men – knows they will struggle to hold back, especially Iron Mike, one of boxing’s most celebrated punchers.
He said: “I don’t think Tyson can take it easy.

“They’re doing two-minute rounds and they’re only eight, but Tyson punches harder than Roy.
“Tyson – at least back in the day could – take a punch better than Roy.”
Former super-middleweight and light-heavyweight champion Jack faces little-known American Blake McKernan on the undercard.
And occupying the co-headliner spot is YouTuber Jake Paul, 23, and ex-NBA star Nate Robinson, 36.
Paul won his pro debut in January, two months after his brother Logan lost to internet rival KSI – real name Olajide William Olatunji.
Logan, 25, and KSI, 27, turned pro for their rematch, having drawn in an exhibition a year earlier.
Jack was ringside that night and even accompanied KSI to the ring.
But he is no longer involved now the social media stars crossed over to the paid ranks, but understands the commercial value they bring.

Jack was beaten by Jean Pascal on points last year

The Swede training for his upcoming fight Credit: Jon Cater
Jack explained: “I was a little bit involved last time, I walked KSI to the ring before he fought that guy Logan Paul.
“That was a big event business-wise but now it’s a bit too much, with NBA players and stuff.
“But this is a business too.”
Jack has not fought since December when he lost his WBA ‘Regular’ light-heavyweight title against Jean Pascal, 37.
He hopes to use his spot on Tyson’s undercard as preparation to rematch Pascal, while donating proceedings to his ‘Badou Jack Foundation’.
Jack said: “I’d rather fight Pascal straight away, but he don’t want it, and this is a big event, especially for my charity.
“There will be a lot of eyeballs and not even boxing fans as they’ve got these YouTubers fighting on the undercard.
“So it’s a perfect chance to promote our foundation and give them ‘A fighting chance in life’ – that’s our slogan.”

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HASIM RAHMAN JR has become a late addition to the Mike Tyson vs Roy Jones Jr undercard this Saturday.
UFC veteran Rashad Coulter will face the undefeated prospect and son of former two-time boxing world champ Hasim Rahman Snr, who is best known for downing Lennox Lewis.

Hasim Rahman Jr, pictured right alongside Jake Paul, has been added to the Mike Tyson vs Roy Jones Jr undercardCredit: Twitter

He will face former UFC veteran Rashad Coulter at the eventCredit: Instagram

The ‘Daywalker’ was due to face Viddal Riley, but the latter has suffered an undisclosed injury that has ruled him out of the blockbuster event in California.
He’s been replaced by the 9-0 Raham, aged 29.
Speaking to MMA Island, Coulter wished Mayweather Promotions fighter Riley well.
But he says despite being a big fan of his father, it will be strictly business against Rahman Jr.

He said: “I wish Viddal the best. I pray he heals up quick and it’s nothing serious.
“I was looking forward to fighting him, but I most definitely need to be his opponent when he heals up. That’s a fight I have to get back.”
Coulter – who’s also fought in UFC and Bellator – added: “I’m blessed to still be on the card.
“Hasim is a skilled dude who has grown up around boxing, so it’s a new opponent but the same plan.

“I know he is southpaw and he switches but my job is to fight my fight and not let him dictate the pace.
“He is tough and has a good record, I have never ran from a fight and this will be great.
“I grew up watching his pops so this will be fun. But again this is strictly business.”
Hasim Rahman shocked the world in April 2001 when he knocked out Lennox Lewis in the fifth round to produce one of the biggest upsets ever.
That secured the 20-1 the heavyweight world titles, and a month later he signed a $5 million deal with promoter Don King.
He lost the rematch to Lewis that November, but he went on to win the WBC crown again in 2005 from James Toney.

Hasim Rahman, left, walks away after knocking out Lennox Lewis in the fifth round to become world champ back in 2001Credit: AP:Associated Press

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