Former world heavyweight champion (over 90.7 kg) American Hasim Rahman after the induction ceremony for new members to the Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame, gave a small
interview for local media.
In a conversation, Rahman spoke about his compatriot, ex-heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder (42-2-1, 41 KOs). Journalists also asked Khasim about a possible fight for the title of absolute world champion between the unified champion from Ukraine Oleksandr Usyk (20-0, 13 KOs) and the WBC title holder Briton Tyson Fury (32-0-1, 23 KOs).
– You went through wars in the ring, what does it mean to return, as Deontay Wilder is doing now? What does it take to make a successful comeback because everyone is just trying?
“I can only come back if I fight someone from my generation. I would fight Tyson, Lennox (Lewis), someone from my generation. I don’t want to try to come back to fight some of the younger guys. It wouldn’t be wise of me.
“But Deontay is 36 and is coming back a year later.
— At 36, you still have a few years in the stash. 36 is not a death sentence in boxing. At 36, you’re still at your peak in heavyweight. Therefore, more strength to him.
- Andre Ward about Usyk-Fury fight: “I have goosebumps from the Ukrainian’s words”
– Everyone has a question after the defeat of Joshua – can Usyk beat Fury?
– I think yes. I think Usyk is the best heavyweight fighting right now. I think Fury is imitating Usyk. He is very successful in fights with hard and slow heavyweights. It’s not really boxing. I think what Fury does in boxing, Usyk can do it better.
“So the saying that a good big fighter beats a good small fighter doesn’t work here?”
“It’s different with heavyweights. Because most of them are lazy. Hard work is alien to them. With little kids it’s a little different. Usyk’s boxing IQ will play a major role. Often the IQ of the little guys kind of cancels out the opponent’s jabs.