Hasim Rahman Jr believes he is in a similar position to his father when the heavyweight legend famously knocked out Lennox Lewis over 20 years ago.
The son-of-a-legend is just over a week out from his fight against YouTube star Jake Paul at Madison Square Garden after receiving the call to fight Paul when Love Island star Tommy Fury pulled out of the clash last month. The 31-year-old is hoping to follow in the replicate his father's legendary win against Lewis by handing Paul his first professional loss on August 6.
Rahman's father was a 20–1 underdog heading into his heavyweight world title fight against Lewis, who hadn't been defeated in seven years. The odds didn't matter as Rahman won by knockout in the fifth round to produce one of the biggest upsets in boxing history. Lewis would later have his revenge by knocking out Rahman in their rematch seven months later.
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“I respect his work ethic but come August 6 I look to expose him for the fraud he is," Rahman said of Paul. "It’s similar to when my father knocked out Lennox Lewis. He had a target on his back. I’m looking to do the same thing and to get that target on my back so I can fight for a world championship.
“We’ve had an amazing camp and I just want to thank my team. From my track coach to my strength and conditioning, all my coaches have been there for me. Just taking care of every little thing down to my nutritionist preparing my meals. Everyone is in sync and we’re ready to go."
Rahman's coach, Yoel Judah, has predicted his fighter bounce back to winning ways by stopping Paul in the sixth round. The heavyweight will fight at 200lb for the first time in his professional career, with a rehydration clause in his contract also restricting his weight on the morning of the fight. Rahman promised that Paul will "fall" in their fight whilst adding that nothing the YouTube star has shown in the ring has concerned him.
“There’s nothing Jake Paul does that concerns me," he added. "I’m just super confident going into this fight. I feel like this guy is not at my level. He made a mistake picking me. Fighting in Madison Square Garden happened so fast – I didn’t think it would happen so fast. But it’s here and I’m ready and I know what I signed up for. We’re going to go in there and make it look easy. I just have one final message: Jake Paul is going to fall!"
