22 years ago

Date: 22nd April 2001

Title: WBC, IBF & IBO World Heavyweight Titles

Promoter: Cedric Kushner Productions

Tv: HBO

Lennox Lewis
( 38 - 1 - 1 )
Weight: 253 1/2 lbs

Hasim Rahman
( 34 - 2 - 0 )
Weight: 238 lbs

Lewis vs Rahman was billed as "Thunder in Africa" and it certainly kicked up a storm as the champion, a 20-1 favorite weighed 253½ pounds at the official weigh-in, his heaviest ever. Having trained in Las Vegas so that he could film a scene in the Hollywood movie Ocean's 11, Lewis might have been guilty of not taking Rahman seriously enough.

The result was a stunning 5th round knockout win for the Baltimore, Maryland born challenger.

The Ring named the fight Upset of the Year and Knockout of the Year.

Lewis didn't make excuses after the fight merely stating "This is just what happens in heavyweight boxing. He hit me with a good shot. That's the situation when you get two big guys in there with right hands. He just threw a big right hand and caught me right on the chin."