Lennox Lewis hung up the gloves back in 2004, but one of just two men to have defeated ‘The Lion’ is set to make his comeback tonight, at the remarkable age of 53 years old.
Lewis lost his undefeated record to Oliver McCall in a shock defeat at Wembley Arena back in 1994; a loss which brought his reign as WBC heavyweight world champion to a surprising end.
Lewis then reclaimed the belt under bizarre circumstances, avenging his loss to ‘The Atomic Bull’, who burst into tears in their rematch for the vacant belt three years later.
The British-Canadian would go on to become the undisputed heavyweight champion with a famous triumph over Evander Holyfield and make a total of nine defences of his WBC world title in his second reign, until Hasim Rahman upset the odds and knocked him out in South Africa in 2001.
Although, just seven months later, Lewis got the last laugh as he scored one of his most iconic knockouts to halt Rahman and retrieve his belts.
Now, over a quarter of a century on from his world title win, Rahman is set to end a 12-year run of inactivity by returning from retirement and topping the bill in a clash with the 4-4 recorded Phillip Triantafillo in Lowell, Indiana.
Speaking to 13WHAM ABC News as the comeback was announced, ‘The Rock’ declared that he feels he is in a great position to mount a genuine comeback and beat George Foreman’s record (48) as the oldest ever heavyweight world champion.
“I feel stronger, I feel better, I feel more knowledgeable. My legs are strong, my arms are strong, my endurance is insane right now.
“Those that don’t believe, don’t act live you believed once I do this because I have heard this the first time that I won the title, the second time that I won the title.
“I will become the oldest heavyweight champion!”
Along with his two battles with Lewis, Rahman also shared the ring with the likes of Evander Holyfield, Wladimir Klitschko and James Toney during his career, and now prepares to compete for the 63rd time this evening.
Triantafillo is 40 years old and has fought just twice since 2016, but Rahman will not be the first former heavyweight world champion that the Indiana native has shared the ring with; having lost via second-round knockout to a then 5-0 Charles Martin, three years before ‘The Prince’ became the IBF champion.
