Meet Amateur Stars Hasim Jr. and Sharif Rahman
Heavyweight prizefighter Hasim “The Rock” Rahman has a career record of 50-7-2 with 41 KOs. He has amassed several world titles along the way and logged in another victory just last June versus Galen Brown in a Mississippi bout. The feared Baltimore boxer is best known for beating Lennox Lewis, knocking out the Brit during their 2001 bout in South Africa.
But these days, the pro fighter has also been a regular sight at amateur tournaments as his two young sons, Hasim Rahman, Jr., 20, and Sharif Hasim Rahman, 15, continue to rise in prominence inside the elite amateur ranks.
If boxing is a family business, it’s safe to say the boys are a chip off the old block…or a chip off “The Rock” in showcasing their natural talents in the squared circle.
I watched Team Rahman add another distinction to their growing cache of trophies, medals and awards as the youngest fighting brother, Sharif, captured an advancing win during the 2012 Silver Gloves Regional Finals held this past weekend at Victory Park in Pasadena, California. With this victory in the 156 pound, age 14-15 final, the teenager (who trains in Las Vegas) will next compete in the February Nationals taking place in Kansas City.
His regional duel was a Nevada vs. California showdown in which Sharif faced another talented teen in Orange County’s Ricky Frausto. After a spirited bout between the two, it was Rahman’s hand raised in victory. Sharif not only won first place (winning two Silver Glove medals) but also the prestigious honor of “Outstanding Boxer” in the Senior Division for the entire tournament.
Before the match began, the majority of the large crowd watching didn’t know Sharif was the champ’s son. The family stays low profile and I didn’t notice Hasim Sr. in the audience until his son’s fight was nearing. With his hulking heavyweight physique, Hasim Rahman stands out in any crowd. And while he was standing stoically and quietly on the sidelines, I watched the proud father carefully check out the next generation of Rahman boxers emerge. Having two sons who box can’t be easy but parents Hasim and Crystal Rahman seem to be handling it with class and finesse.
There was no trash talking, posturing or ego from the Rahman camp before, during or after the fight. I went over to congratulate Sharif, who was celebrating his victory with his close-knit family and pals. There also doesn’t seem to be any “sibling rivalry” between Hasim Jr. and Sharif, as it was his older bro who was cheering the loudest for Sharif.
I asked Rahman Jr. what he thought of his little bro’s battle, which many in the stands thought was “Fight of the Night.”
“He did great! I loved watching it,” a smiling Hasim Jr. told me. “It was great and he kept his composure the whole time.” The older sibling and heavyweight amateur boxer is no slouch inside the ropes either, racking up many amateur titles since his first bout at age 15. This past summer I saw him win the first-ever WBC LBM green and gold championship belt honoring Bert Colima Romero at the Desert Showdown.
These “Bash Brothers” have both definitely inherited the championship DNA from Pops, a multiple world champ.
Next up for Sharif will be the Silver Gloves Nationals where they will crown the kings from all over the U.S.
“Congrats on your win,” I comment to the young slugger.
“Thank you!” he replies. “I worked hard for it.”
Hard work and puttin’ in work at the gym is what got the two Rahman brothers their many amateur titles. They have earned it the old-fashioned way through hard work and discipline, not choosing to cash in on their father’s championship name–which would be understandable and easy enough to do if they wanted to go that route.
Yes, having a famous last name and prizefighting genes can open doors but both young men have remained humble and down to earth throughout their own journey in the sport–and working and training hard to achieve their own goals in the sweet science.
Sharif says he’ll be ready for the Nationals which start February 1.
“Are you excited about the Nationals?” I ask.
“Yes!” he says. “I’m training now for Kansas City.”
It looks like the Rahman camp is already starting 2012 off with a bang as Sharif nabs the “Outstanding Boxer” win and advances to the Nationals. Hasim Jr. said they both train in Vegas and during the Regionals, well-regarded trainer Pat Barry (Barry’s Boxing Center) was in Sharif’s corner.
Many have taken notice of the boys, who are very well-liked in amateur circles. Both are friendly and polite kids who show respect for the fight game. After Sharif was called back up into the ring, several USA Boxing bigwigs Hal Adonis (USA Boxing President), Joe Zanders (2012 Olympic National Coach) and Delilah Rico (SoCal Association Chief of Officials/Volunteers) came over to present the new award to Sharif and to also congratulate the family as you’ll see in these exclusive photos.
Grinning ear to ear, Sharif thanked his family, friends and fans for all the support.
Their parents are surely proud of this powerhouse pair of amateurs who are making their names known in the sport.
Interestingly enough, their father didn’t want them to follow in his footsteps in pursuing boxing.
During the Desert Showdown last year, the Rahman patriarch revealed his thoughts on the matter.
“They went ‘against’ my wishes–the wanna box!” he told me.
“The Rock” also said that he offered them cars, full college educations…anything–if they chose NOT to fight!
But both of his sons love to box and picked up the gloves despite their father’s initial objections.
“I don’t understand it,” their dad chuckled, shaking his head. “It’s such a brutal sport and a hard way to make a dollar.”
“Would you rather them become a doctor or lawyer?” I asked him.
“A doctor, a lawyer…a carpenter–ANYTHING but a prizefighter!” he answered with a laugh.
But in the very next sentence Daddy Rahman also spoke of his complete 100% support for his sons who are clearly of winning stock. Both amateurs are motivated and focused as they continue to climb the ranks in the amateur world.
Hasim Rahman Sr. has earned many titles during his KO career including WBC, WBA, NABF, IBF, USBA, IBO and Maryland State belts. But as his sons continue their own path to glory, looks like the family will have to make room for many more trophies and belts earned by the young guns, Hasim Jr. and Sharif.
Two pugilists on the rise. Two chips off the championship “Rock.”
Photos by Michele Chong