By Jason Kim: Former WBC heavyweight champion Hasim Rahman (50-7-2, 41 KO’s) was considered finished as a fighter by many boxing fans following a poor effort given in being stopped by IBF/WBO heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko in the 7th round in December 2008.

Rahman didn’t look like the fighter he once was in that fight, and never really got un-tracked. Rahman has since won five consecutive fights and looked powerful in stopping all five of them.

The wins have given Rahman a number #1 ranking with the World Boxing Association and he’ll now be fighting for the WBA title against unbeaten champion Alexander Povetkin (24-0, 16 KO’s) on September 29th at the Sporthalle, Alsterdorf, in Hamburg, Germany. Povetkin, 32, may be unbeaten but he’s far from invincible as we saw recently with his close 12 round majority decision over cruiserweight Marco Huck last February. Povetkin had problems with Huck’s power and all out assaults.

On a couple of occasions, Huck had Povetkin hurt but was unable to land the needed follow up shots to finish the job. Rahman can punch just as hard as Huck but with much better accuracy and with more consistency.

Rahman doesn’t need to take long rest breaks in between attacks like Huck, and this could spell trouble for Povetkin if Rahman can land his big power shots. Rahman is the bigger fighter in terms of weight and will have a seven inch reach advantage over Povetkin, although both of them are only 6’2″.

Rahman can control the outside with his jab and he’s dangerous when he’s throwing his left hooks and long right hands. Rahman is best known for knocking out Lennox Lewis in the 5th round in April 2001. Rahman also beat a prime Corrie Sanders in a 7th round TKO win in May of 2000 after being buzzed by Sanders from some of his hard left hands. Sanders would go on to destroy Wladimir Klitschko in only two rounds in May of 2003.