The present goes on for Hasim Rahman Jr.
A brand new opponent has been secured for the second-generation heavyweight, who will now face former NFL defensive finish and present professional rookie Greg Hardy atop Saturday’s Misfits Boxing x DAZN present from Moody Middle in Austin, Texas. Hardy replaces former UFC mild heavyweight champion Vitor Belfort, who was compelled to withdraw after testing constructive for Covid as beforehand reported by BoxingScene.com.
“I’m excited man, that is my likelihood to point out that I belong within the boxing world,” stated Hardy. “I do know lots concerning the Rahman title as boxers, and I do know he was getting ready for Vitor, however I’m positively assured and ready to point out individuals I can field.”
Hardy (1-0, 1KOs) beforehand performed for the NFL’s Carolina Panthers whereas having additionally competed as a combined martial artist on the UFC circuit the place he received seven bouts. Hardy—who’s now based mostly in South Florida—has since made his option to boxing, the place he received his professional debut through second spherical knockout on October 8 in Delray Seaside, Florida
As beforehand reported by BoxingScene.com, Hardy’s title was talked about together with former heavyweight champion Shannon Briggs (60-6-1, 53KOs) to face Rahman Jr. (12-1, 6KOs). Because it seems, each will likely be within the reverse nook as Briggs will function Hardy’s coach for Saturday’s new essential occasion.
The brand new combat helps salvage what has been a weird yr for Rahman, whose solely combat in 2022 thus far was a fifth-round stoppage loss to James McKenzie Morrison. The battle of unbeaten second-generation heavyweights noticed Rahman soundly outbox McKenzie-Morrison—the son of the late, former WBO heavyweight titlist Tommy Morrison—by way of 4 rounds earlier than it was immediately stopped halfway by way of the fifth spherical of their April 29 conflict in his Las Vegas hometown.
Rahman—whose father Hasim Rahman Sr. was a former two-time heavyweight champ—resurfaced in early summer season, agreeing to face Jake Paul (6-0, 4KOs) on roughly one month’s discover. The chance turned out there when England’s Tommy Fury was unable to safe a journey visa essential to fly to the U.S. from the U.Ok. to proceed with the deliberate August 6 Showtime Pay-Per-View occasion from Madison Sq. Backyard in New York Metropolis.
The combat with Paul was initially introduced to conditionally happen at 200 kilos. It was later modified to 205 by the New York State Athletic Fee because of pre-fight weight checks suggesting that Rahman—who’d by no means weighed lighter than 211 ¼ as a professional—couldn’t safely make the cruiserweight restrict. It proved moot, because the occasion was canceled by the Paul aspect one week out from combat night time.
Rahman confirmed later in the summertime that he signed with the Misfits Boxing collection created by YouTube boxing pioneer KSI. He was initially because of face Belfort atop the Misfits Boxing 002 present on October 15 in Sheffield, England. The cardboard proceeded however with out the heavyweight combat which was relocated to Austin to headline the third installment of the Misfit Boxing collection and its U.S. debut.
The remainder of Saturday’s present stays intact, with the undercard that includes an fascinating mixture of content material creators, actuality stars and former athletes from different sports activities.
Jake Donovan is a senior author for BoxingScene.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox