Former heavyweight champion to return at 53.
In the past few years, former heavyweight boxing champions and contenders have been stepping back into the ring at ages that many believe they should not be lacing up the gloves at.
Of course, Mike Tyson would face Jake Paul in a bizarre affair towards the end of 2024. At that time, Tyson was 58 and set the record for the oldest former heavyweight champion to fight professionally.
That record would be broken just four days later when Oliver McCall would return at 59 years old to stop Stacy Frazier. McCall last fought last year in a draw against Carlos Reyes.
Then there is Ike Ibeabuchi–one of the biggest what-ifs in heavyweight boxing–who lost his undefeated record at the end of last year because he returned to the ring at the age of 52, 26 years after the initial end of his career.
And less than two months ago, former Ibeabuchi opponent Chris Byrd was sadly knocked out in the first round by Anthony Welsh at 55 years old.
It is certainly a concerning pattern, one that fans of the sport would most likely wish to see come to an end. However, whenever that could be, it is not now.
Hasim Rahman (who, like Oliver McCall, defeated the great Lennox Lewis in a huge upset to become world champion) will be making his professional return next month at the age of 53.
Addressing concerns regarding his return, Rahman told About Boxing, “A lot of people do [care about me returning] because a lot of people, you know, they look at the average guy my age or a guy that [has] been through what I’ve been through, but I’m different. I’m different.
“I’m an entirely different species … I love me. I love me. I’m not gon[na] put me at risk. So, you know, I’m strong, I’m in shape, I can fight, [and] I’m hittin’ hard.
“So, I’mma go in there and let the chips fall where they may.”
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