Twenty-five years ago, he shocked the world with the massive upset, and twenty-five years later, he’s shocking the world in a different way, as former two-time world heavyweight champion Hasim Rahman is set to return to the ring at age 53.
On September 24, 2026, Hasim “The Rock” Rahman (50-9-2, 41KOs) will face Phillip Triantafillo (4-4, 1 KO). The action will take place in Triantafillo’s backyard at the Hammond Sportsplex in Hammond, Indiana.
Hasim Rahman has publicly stated he’s on a quest to become the oldest world heavyweight champion in boxing history. After a 12-year hiatus, Rahman will start his new boxing journey on the night of September 24th.
A native of Baltimore, Maryland, Hasim Rahman made his pro boxing debut back in December 1994 when he stopped Gregory Herrington in the first round. He would go on to win his next 28 fights.
In December 1998, Hasim Rahman suffered his first career defeat when he lost to David Tua via 10th-round TKO. Rahman would bounce back by returning to the ring and posting two consecutive knockout victories.
Rahman was starting to rebuild the momentum, but then he lost to Oleg Maskaev. Once again Rahman would regroup and then go on a three-fight win streak.
On the night of April 22, 2001, Hasim Rahman stepped inside the ring as he looked to capitalize on a golden opportunity. Standing in the opposite corner was the reigning unified heavyweight world champion Lennox Lewis.
With 39 seconds remaining in the fifth round, Rahman landed a hard right hand that sent Lewis down to the canvas. Lewis was counted out, and Hasim Rahman became the new WBC and IBF unified world heavyweight champion.
Seven months later, Lewis avenged the defeat by stopping Rahman in the fourth round. After losing the rematch, fight fans were curious about whether Hasim Rahman would fall into the category of a one-hit wonder.
Rahman would proceed to silence the doubters by going on a four-year grind. In August 2005, Hasim Rahman became a two-time world champion when he outpointed Monte Barrett and won the vacant WBC strap.
Hasim Rahman had a Hall of Fame boxing career that concluded in 2014. Now the hard-hitting former two-time world heavyweight champion is ready to return to the squared circle in pursuit of boxing history.
Back in March 1977, George Foreman retired from boxing. Foreman made his return to the sport in 1987. Seven years into his comeback, Foreman stopped Michael Moorer in the 10th round and became world champion at the age of 45.
On September 24th, the Trojan Fight League presents Hasim Rahman vs Phillip Triantafillo. Going into the fight, the question is: will Rahman start a historic comeback, or will Triantafillo play the role of the spoiler and put an immediate halt to Rahman’s return to the ring?