The Dragon Slayers, Part 1: Hasim Rahman
Their storylines can include a David and Goliath, reluctant heroes, tales of redemption, good/evil and old school/new school dichotomies…
(This is the first of a five-part series examining modern boxing upsets)
Major upsets in boxing are arguably the most magnificent of sports miracles, with the combative nature of prizefighting lending to a very unique and special kind of drama. As the acts through which underdogs defeat their favored counterparts are violent in nature, analogies to “dragon slaying,” the mythical act whereby a mortal (usually human) warrior fights and kills a large and intimidating beast, are sometimes appropriate. Boxing has a mythology of its own that can make fighters appear superhuman and unbeatable. When these fighters are defeated the events can carry a supernatural aura, like something very special or magical has occurred.
The most famous “dragon slaying” events are memorable both because of the inside-the-ring exploits and because of the life context in which they play out. They can be viewed from various perspectives: psychology, philosophy, preparation and luck. Their storylines can include a David and Goliath, reluctant heroes, tales of redemption, good/evil and old school/new school dichotomies. Boxing stories come in all flavors.
In February 2010, boxing celebrated the 20th anniversary of what many believe to be the greatest boxing upset of the last generation: James “Buster” Douglas’ defeat of “Iron” Mike Tyson in 1990.
The Tyson-Douglas upset was the product of perfect storm of factors: Tyson’s reduced focus after the death of Cus D’Amato; Tyson’s diminished motivation secondary to a lack of competition; poor preparation; Douglas’ personal demons; and Douglas’ height and underappreciated boxing skills. There was also a questionable long count from the referee that gave Douglas a second lease on life.
The story was about the rise and fall of Buster Douglas that followed that victory; it was about the fall and rise of Tyson that followed his defeat.
Unfortunately, the Tyson-Douglas upset might still receive attention at the expense of other recent upsets in the heavyweight division that are equally as compelling case studies in “dragon slaying,” namely, Hasim “Rock” Rahman’s 2001 defeat of then world champion Lennox Lewis.
At the time, Lewis was dominating the heavyweight division as thoroughly as anyone had in over a decade. Unlike a young Mike Tyson, whose excellence was a combination of intimidation and a unique style, Lewis overwhelmed foes with a very ostensible, classical measurable set of skills: size, athleticism, a powerful right hand and a high boxing IQ for a heavyweight. He appeared primed to clean the heavyweight division out in spectacular fashion. The fight with Hasim Rahman (in South Africa) looked to be part-championship fight, part-boxing diplomacy mission and Lewis looked to make short work of the unheralded American. Instead, he ran into a combination of counterpunching and power that was to hand Lewis his first loss in almost seven years.
Despite the examinations that tell us otherwise, many can’t escape the suspicion that Douglas’ defeat of Tyson was a fluke, the product of a lucky punch. Douglas’ rapid demise after the Tyson fight supports this suspicion: the barrage of punches that slayed Tyson were arguably the only significant punches that Douglas ever landed and Tyson was the only truly notable fighter that Douglas ever defeated. Douglas was never a heavyweight contender after his knockout loss to Evander Holyfield and soon spiraled into obscurity.
The same cannot be said for Hasim Rahman, a two-time champion who claimed world titles five years apart.
Their differences are reflected in their beginnings: while both Douglas and Rahman started boxing fairly late, Rahman’s beginnings were probably more inauspicious. Unlike Douglas, Rahman had no notable athletic pedigree and earned his fighting reputation as an enforcer for drug dealers in Baltimore, MD. Douglas, alternatively, was a prep basketball star in Columbus, OH. A boxing trainer had more reason to believe that a former basketball player could be developed into a professional boxer than a 20-year-old street enforcer weighing almost 300 lbs.
Looking back on their respective careers tells two completely different stories: while Douglas’ is a story about untapped potential, poor preparation and wavering motivation, Rahman’s career is purely a tale of determination, preparation and courage.
And while it’s clear that Lennox Lewis didn’t take the first Rahman fight seriously enough, Rahman certainly deserves some tactical credit for his performance. An analysis of the decisive fifth round in Lewis-Rahman I actually shows that Rahman was setting traps for Lewis, who plodded forward with his hands low, underestimating Rahman’s length and explosive punching. During the fifth round, Rahman moved laterally, jabbed well and landed several chopping right hands, including one at the 1:25 mark that momentarily stunned Lewis. This was a preview of the one that would end the fight at 0:39, a stiff right hand after Rahman had backed Lewis into the ropes with a collection of effective jabs.
Rahman’s grip on the heavyweight title was short-lived after losing the immediate rematch to Lewis by fourth round knockout seven months later. Rahman simply lacked Lewis’ gifts, physical and technical, and there was little doubt that the rematch would end as it did.
And yet, there is triumph in Rahman’s story. For one, Rahman occupies a interesting space in modern American boxing history: he is probably the best American heavyweight of the 2001-2010 era, which is notable even if the modern era is defined by a lack of talent among American heavyweights. Rahman remained a relevant figure far longer than his pedigree and natural gifts would have you believe, and unlike John Ruiz, Rahman’s resume includes a career-defining victory over an elite foe and few regrettable defeats.
Before the first Lewis fight, Rahman’s career was nothing to sneeze at: only two defeats in over 30 professional fights. In the cruel game of professional boxing this is irrelevant without a defining victory, as a single loss can send a promising career into a tailspin. On that April day in South Africa, Rahman landed a right hand that would change his life forever. Unlike James “Buster” Douglas over 10 years before, Rahman used his surprise victory as a springboard to building a long, successful career as a rugged American heavyweight who fought courageously, held world titles and earned his place among the modern era’s great “dragon slayers.”
