Former heavyweight champion Hasim Rahman is returning to professional boxing at age 53, more than 12 years after his last fight.
Rahman, best known for his stunning 2001 knockout victory over Lennox Lewis, is scheduled to face Phillip Triantafillo on Thursday, September 24, 2026, at Hammond Sportsplex in Indiana.
This is not intended to be a one-off exhibition. Rahman says he wants to launch a genuine comeback, work his way toward another world-title opportunity and become the oldest heavyweight champion in boxing history.
Rahman enters the comeback with a 50-9-2 professional record and 41 knockouts. [Boxing News]
Is Hasim Rahman Really Making A Boxing Comeback?
Yes.
Rahman is scheduled to return to the professional ring on September 24 against Phillip Triantafillo in a six-round heavyweight fight.
The bout headlines a card promoted as “The War on I-94” at Hammond Sportsplex in Hammond, Indiana. It will be Rahman’s first professional appearance since 2014. [Real Combat Media]
Rahman weighed 257.4 pounds for the fight, while Triantafillo weighed 259.1 pounds. The bout is also being promoted for the Indiana State heavyweight title. [FightNews]
Who Is Hasim Rahman Fighting?
Rahman’s comeback opponent is Phillip Triantafillo, a 40-year-old heavyweight with a 4-4 professional record and one knockout.
Fight Detail
Information
Fight
Hasim Rahman vs. Phillip Triantafillo
Date
September 24, 2026
Location
Hammond Sportsplex, Hammond, Indiana
Scheduled Rounds
6
Rahman Record
50-9-2, 41 KOs
Triantafillo Record
4-4, 1 KO
Rahman Weight
257.4 pounds
Triantafillo Weight
259.1 pounds
Triantafillo’s record does not suggest he is currently a world-level heavyweight. That makes the fight more of a first step for Rahman after an extraordinarily long period of inactivity rather than an immediate test against one of the division’s leading contenders. [Boxing News]
Why Is Hasim Rahman Coming Back At Age 53?
Rahman says his goal is considerably bigger than simply fighting one more time.
He wants to become the oldest heavyweight world champion in boxing history.
When Rahman announced his comeback, he said he believes his physical condition remains good enough to compete and that the experience he has accumulated gives him advantages he did not possess when he was younger.
“I feel stronger, I feel better, I feel more knowledgeable.”
Rahman has said his legs, arms and endurance remain strong and has repeatedly insisted that he intends to become heavyweight champion again. [13WHAM]
What Record Is Hasim Rahman Trying To Break?
George Foreman holds the recognized record as the oldest boxer to win a major heavyweight world championship.
Foreman was 45 years and 299 days old when he knocked out Michael Moorer in the 10th round on November 5, 1994, to win the WBA and IBF heavyweight titles. [Guinness World Records]
Rahman is already 53.
If he were eventually able to win a recognized heavyweight world championship, he would therefore break Foreman’s record by a huge margin.
Getting that opportunity is a separate challenge. Rahman would first need to win fights, move into contention and persuade a major sanctioning organization to rank or approve him for a world-title bout.
Does Hasim Rahman Think He Can Really Win A World Title?
Yes.
Rahman has made clear that his championship talk is not simply promotional hype for the Triantafillo fight.
He said when announcing the comeback that he wanted approximately two fights before attempting to position himself for a major opportunity.
He also acknowledged that people would consider his plan unrealistic.
“Somebody prove me wrong.”
Rahman said he had faced similar skepticism before becoming champion earlier in his career and predicted that he would again become heavyweight champion. [Sports Illustrated]
How Long Has Hasim Rahman Been Out Of Boxing?
Rahman has not fought professionally in more than 12 years.
His previous appearance came in June 2014 at the Super 8 heavyweight tournament in New Zealand, where he lost a three-round decision to Anthony Nansen.
Rahman had already declined considerably from his championship form by that point.
He had also suffered a second-round loss to Alexander Povetkin in a 2012 WBA heavyweight title fight and a seventh-round stoppage loss to Wladimir Klitschko in 2008. [BoxingScene]
What Is Hasim Rahman’s Professional Record?
Rahman returns with a professional record of 50 wins, nine losses and two draws, with 41 victories by knockout.
Career Statistic
Hasim Rahman
Wins
50
Losses
9
Draws
2
Knockout Wins
41
Previous Fight
June 2014
Rahman fought many of the major heavyweights of his generation, including Lennox Lewis, Evander Holyfield, Wladimir Klitschko, Alexander Povetkin and James Toney. [Boxing News]
How Did Hasim Rahman Beat Lennox Lewis?
Rahman’s defining career moment came against Lennox Lewis in South Africa on April 22, 2001.
Lewis entered the fight as the WBC and IBF heavyweight champion and was heavily favored.
Rahman produced one of the biggest heavyweight upsets of the era by knocking Lewis out in the fifth round with a powerful right hand.
The victory instantly transformed Rahman from contender into heavyweight champion. [Boxing News]
Did Lennox Lewis Beat Hasim Rahman In The Rematch?
Yes.
Lewis exercised his contractual right to an immediate rematch, and the fighters met again on November 17, 2001.
This time Lewis dominated.
He knocked Rahman out in the fourth round with a powerful combination and regained the heavyweight championship.
Rahman therefore went 1-1 against Lewis, but his first victory remains one of the signature heavyweight upsets of the 21st century.
Is Lennox Lewis Also Making A Comeback?
No.
This is an important distinction because headlines about Rahman’s return frequently identify him as the heavyweight champion who “beat Lennox Lewis” or “knocked out Lennox Lewis.”
Lewis himself remains retired.
The Boxing News report announcing the September 24 comeback specifically states that Lewis retired in 2004 and that Rahman is the former champion returning to the ring. [Boxing News]
Lewis has not announced a 2026 fight.
Was Hasim Rahman’s Comeback Originally Scheduled For Another Date?
Yes. Rahman’s attempt to return has already gone through several scheduling changes.
His comeback was originally promoted for July 14 in Rochester, New York.
That event was moved to August 18 because of an issue finding the planned opponent. Rahman was eventually scheduled to face Robert Simms, but the August event was canceled shortly before the fight. [talkSPORT]
The comeback was then reorganized for September 24 in Indiana, with Triantafillo replacing Simms as Rahman’s opponent. [FightNews]
What Did Rahman Say About The New Fight?
Rahman said he remained committed to his championship goal despite the problems arranging his initial return.
“I am excited to be starting this journey to make history.”
Rahman said he had remained in the gym during his years away from professional competition and believes several comeback fights could put him in position for a major opportunity. [FightNews]
Who Is Phillip Triantafillo?
Triantafillo is a 40-year-old heavyweight with a 4-4 record.
He has fought only sporadically during his professional career and has competed just twice since 2016.
His most recent appearance before Rahman came on December 11, 2025, when he defeated Ryan Diaz.
Triantafillo has also faced Charles Martin, who later became IBF heavyweight champion. Martin stopped him in the second round when Martin was still an undefeated prospect. [Boxing News]
Is Rahman Vs. Triantafillo A World-Title Fight?
No.
The six-round fight is not for one of boxing’s four major heavyweight world championships.
FightNews lists the bout for an Indiana State heavyweight title. [FightNews]
Rahman’s stated plan is to use fights such as this one to become active again before pursuing a much more significant opponent.
How Unusual Is A Boxing Comeback At Age 53?
It is highly unusual, particularly for a heavyweight attempting to return to championship-level competition.
Boxing history does contain famous late-career comebacks. Foreman returned to professional boxing at age 38 after approximately a decade away and eventually reclaimed the heavyweight championship at 45.
But Foreman’s comeback required years of activity before he reached the championship level. He returned in 1987 and did not defeat Michael Moorer for the title until 1994. [Texas Sports Hall Of Fame]
Rahman is beginning his attempt eight years older than Foreman was when Foreman actually won the championship.
Could Hasim Rahman Actually Get A Heavyweight Title Fight?
There is no announced world-title opportunity for Rahman.
His September fight is simply the first step in what he says will be a larger comeback.
Winning a six-round fight against a 4-4 opponent would not by itself establish Rahman as a leading heavyweight contender. He would need to demonstrate that he can still compete against increasingly stronger opposition and would also have to satisfy the medical, licensing and ranking requirements involved in major professional boxing.
Rahman nevertheless insists that his comeback is aimed at a real championship rather than an exhibition.
Hasim Rahman 2026 Comeback FAQ
Is Hasim Rahman fighting again?
Yes. Rahman is scheduled to return against Phillip Triantafillo on September 24, 2026, in Indiana after more than 12 years away from professional boxing. [Boxing News]
How old is Hasim Rahman?
Rahman is 53 years old.
Who is Hasim Rahman fighting?
Rahman is fighting 40-year-old Phillip Triantafillo, who enters with a 4-4 professional record. [Real Combat Media]
When did Hasim Rahman last fight?
His previous professional appearance was in June 2014, meaning his comeback comes after more than 12 years of inactivity.
What is Hasim Rahman’s boxing record?
Rahman enters the comeback at 50-9-2 with 41 knockout victories.
Did Hasim Rahman beat Lennox Lewis?
Yes. Rahman knocked Lewis out in the fifth round in April 2001 to become heavyweight champion. Lewis won their rematch by fourth-round knockout later that year.
Is Lennox Lewis coming back too?
No comeback has been announced for Lewis. The 2026 return belongs to Rahman, one of only two boxers who defeated Lewis professionally.
Why is Hasim Rahman coming back?
Rahman says he wants to become heavyweight champion again and break George Foreman’s record as the oldest heavyweight world champion. [13WHAM]
Who is the oldest heavyweight champion ever?
George Foreman holds the recognized record. He was 45 years and 299 days old when he knocked out Michael Moorer in 1994. [Guinness World Records]
