Moderator

  (3:18 PM)

Ok everybody, I've got Hasim here. Send in those questions. Here we go!

Hasim Rahman

  (3:20 PM)

Hello, it's Rock, I'm here and ready for you questions.

Boogie Down Bronx

What up Rock? Which of the 4 title holders do you feel would be the easiest victory for you? Is there any fighter out there that you think along with yourself have the skills to dominate the division?

Hasim Rahman

  (3:22 PM)

I think John Ruiz would be an easier fighter for me to defeat to become the heavyweight champion. Also, I think the division is -- there isn't just one man above the crew.

Damainion (San Diego, CA)

Do you think V. Klitschzko is the truth? You've beaten Corrie Sanders, and as the world saw, he wasn't in the best of shape for the fight.

Hasim Rahman

  (3:23 PM)

I think Klischzko is a goood fighter, but I think he is very beatable and I question his punching power.

Ryan(Pittsburgh)

How can you think boxing is more difficult then hockey?

Hasim Rahman

  (3:24 PM)

I don't. I agree with you. You've to worry about the sticks, pucks AND fists!

Lenier Detroit, MI

What's up Rock My question is would you be willing to fight Tyson??

Hasim Rahman

  (3:25 PM)

Absolutely, but only after I win the title.

Dennis (Newark)

big fan. We all remember that shocking lump on your head in the Lewis fight. What did they do for you afterwards to get the swelling to go down? Did they have to cut it?

Hasim Rahman

  (3:25 PM)

Actually, that was the Holyfield fight. It just drained. It took about a month for it to go down naturally.

Southfield, MI

Champ, get in shape and stay in shape and you will beat all 4 titleholders! There are only 3 fighters in the division that will give you a fight Vitali, Toney, Tyson(if he is in shape and motivated). The rest are BUMS! Go get the Title Champ!

Hasim Rahman

  (3:26 PM)

I'm gonna take your advice.

Jamaal, Randallstown, Maryland

How many fights do you expect to have to win before you get another title shot and if you lose again will you consider retirement? Good luck!

Hasim Rahman

  (3:27 PM)

I expect one, if not the next fight to be a title fight. Definitely, if I don't win a title, I will definitely retire.

Dennis (Newark)

Yeah, sorry about confusing the fights. It was a freudian slip b/c i want you to get a shot at Lewis. Do you think it will happen?

Hasim Rahman

  (3:28 PM)

No, I don't think Lewis will fight again.

CJ Bethesda MD

why is there such a rivalry between sports fans from Baltimore vs. sports fans from DC?

Hasim Rahman

  (3:29 PM)

Because we should be getting along and united, but DC don't want to accept Baltimore and Baltimore doens't want to accept DC. It's a rivalry with everything. It's beyond sports.

truman (ottawa)

Hey rock, Do you think Roy Jones Jr. did the smart thing by moving down in weight or do you think he could have defended his heavyweight belt?

Hasim Rahman

  (3:30 PM)

I think, based on his last fight, he did the smart thing by moving down. He believes that he is the best fighter pound for pound. But also, I think that he could have defended his heavyweight crown successfully.

Elaine (san diego)

Do you listen to music when you train. And if so, what type?

Hasim Rahman

  (3:30 PM)

Yes. All types of music. Too many to name.

Chris GA

Do you think that Mike Tyson has any kind of a future in a sport that has almost made him a spectacle in the last few years and boughts he has had?

Hasim Rahman

  (3:31 PM)

Definitely he has a future in the sport. This division is just simply not that tough.

Jeramy Bend, Oregon

Hey Rock, In my opinion you are the only heavyweight I see that can knock out Vitali, do you have plans to fight him and when? You the man Rock!!!!!!!!

Hasim Rahman

  (3:32 PM)

Definitely I have plans to fight him. I don't want to fight him as a challanger, I want to fight him in a unification bout.

IMANI ATL,GA

MR. RAHMAN WHAT AGE DO YOU FEEL THAT A YOUNG MAN LIKE MY SON START FIGHTING AND TRAINING TO BE A BOXER LIKE YOU. MY SON IS 14YR. OLD AND HE IS IN THE GYM TRAINING IN STONE MOUNTAIN.GA IS THIS THE RIGHT THING TO DO. THANK YOU IMANI SAADIQ

Hasim Rahman

  (3:33 PM)

I started when I was 20. My son is 12, I'm gonna start letting him train when he turns 13.

Maria (caldwell)

It's been said that if you ask the average person on the street to name the champion, they wouldn't be able to. Why has boxing fallen so far? Will we ever see another golden age?

Hasim Rahman

  (3:34 PM)

I think with the cable television the way it is and the Pay Per View system. It's not as acceible as it once was on ABC and CBS. When it's free, it's always available to more people. They can follow.

Spiro NPR Fl

Hey Rock...I feel your jab is by far one of the bests...do you think you could take Roy Jones though with his speed?

Hasim Rahman

  (3:35 PM)

Definitely I think I could take on Roy Jones. I would just have to fight him like I'm the big man and he's the little man.

Jessica (East Brunswick)

This might be a silly question, but how much does it hurt when you get it? do you even feel it during a fight or is the adrenline pumping too hard?

Hasim Rahman

  (3:36 PM)

I guess you feel every punch. But, boxers just have a high tolerance for pain. When you practice it all the time, it gets normal. When you run five miles, you feel it in your legs. BUT, if you run five miles all the time, you start to get used to it.

trevor, Philly, PA

What was it that kept you from busting up Ruiz's face? He fights like a pansy. Do you think you could beat him and what would be different? Could you get away from his jab, jab clinch?

Hasim Rahman

  (3:38 PM)

Definitely. I feel like when the Rock fought Ruiz, there were circumstances that I should have pulled out of the fight. But it was the day of the fight so it was a bit too late. If he couldn't knock that Rock out, then there's nothing he could do to shape focus Rock.

Ben Prince georges MD

How do you make yourself want to fight after you had it all and probally have a lot of money left in the bank?

Hasim Rahman

  (3:39 PM)

Well, take a look at the heavyweight division ... that's easy money.

Gahanna, Ohio

Champ what was the hardest fight you have had?

Hasim Rahman

  (3:40 PM)

Jeff Wooden. 1997 for the USB title.

Dennis (newark)

Are there any fighters that you have no respect for? If so, why?

Hasim Rahman

  (3:41 PM)

Yes. A whole lot. The reason being because a lot of guys mouth out on the internet or on television and when I see them, they walk the other way.

Jessica (East Brunswick)

Follow up: when you first started training, how did they prepare you for being able to take a punch. If you have to build up a tolerance, then innitially it must come as a bit of a shock to you.

Hasim Rahman

  (3:42 PM)

Very painfully.

Brett:Fairfax Virginia

If you beat Ruiz and win the title would you rather fight James Toney or Mike Tyson??

Hasim Rahman

  (3:42 PM)

I would rather fight Mike Tyson.

Joey, Nj

If George Foreman came out of retirement for one fight, would you be willing to fight him?

Hasim Rahman

  (3:43 PM)

Absolutely.

Matt, Towson, MD

Rock, do you enjoy watching any fighters today? Especially the exciting ones like Gatti, Chavez and Mayorga?

Hasim Rahman

  (3:44 PM)

I like watching all three of those guys. Also, I like watching Roy Jones, Mayweather and Hopkins.

Brendan (Detroit)

Out of these six boxers: Golota, Sanders, McCline, Oquendo, Tua and Brewster, who do you think will still be around 12 months from now?

Hasim Rahman

  (3:45 PM)

Tua. I think Tua because he's been off for the last year. He will probably start slow and he probably won't be in any significant fights for at least a year.

Derrick, BALTIMORE MD

Hey Rock, I'm an amateur fighter and want to turn pro eventually, so I'm just curious what kind of amateur career did you have? How many fights? Years? etc... Good Luck Rock!

Hasim Rahman

  (3:46 PM)

I wouldn't advise this, but I had one year amateur experience and 10 ameteur fights.

Troy,MI

Champ, you have not gotten some decisions that I feel you deserved (Tua). I think you have the skill and talent to be anyone out there. what do you think you ideal fighting weight is? You looked great both Lewis fights and I think you wieghed about 234 or 236.

Hasim Rahman

  (3:46 PM)

Thanks. I think you hit it right on the nail -- about 236.

DJ (Long Valley)

Do you think there is a problem with the scoring system? If so, what could fix it? I think making the judges show their scores after every round would be a step in the right direction.

Hasim Rahman

  (3:47 PM)

Yeah, I think that would make for more exciting fights.

Mike, NYC

Hey, Rock, does anybody mess with you on the street or in bars?

Hasim Rahman

  (3:47 PM)

Nah, not a chance!

Tommy (Jefferson)

Are there any foods that you can't have while training? Byrd recently said he was a big fan of chicken wings. I was surprised to hear that.

Hasim Rahman

  (3:48 PM)

Probably stay away from fried chicken wings ... fried foods in general.

Jon(san diego)

Rock, do you think there is any chance that roy jones will lose his upcoming fight to tarver?

Hasim Rahman

  (3:49 PM)

I think I like Roy in that fight but an upset is not out of the question.

Joey, NJ

What about if Ali came out retirement?

Hasim Rahman

  (3:50 PM)

Joey, I wasn't aware that Layla retired.

Joey, Nj

Do you have any pre-fight rituals?

Hasim Rahman

  (3:50 PM)

Nope.

John, Illinois

Who would win in a wrestling match, you(the real rock) or Duane Johnson(The Rock)?

Hasim Rahman

  (3:50 PM)

I would do real wrestling -- that's staged what he does. I'd say me.

ben (baltimore)

hey rock, huge fan, any chance we will see you in a fight w/ lamon brewster

Hasim Rahman

  (3:51 PM)

Possibly, but only in a unification.

Brett:Fairfax Virginia

Do you agree with me that Jameel Mccline is overrated? I mean who has he beat of any significance

Hasim Rahman

  (3:52 PM)

Absolutely, I agree with you 100% Brett. I think Mccline is overrated.

Houston, TX.

Is there anyone ducking you right now? Call them out so we fans will know Champ!

Hasim Rahman

  (3:52 PM)

John Ruiz.

Eugene (Toronto)

Hey Rock, what did you think about the Brewster-Klitschko fight that took place a few weeks back? What happened to Wladimir as he was supposed to be the second coming?

Hasim Rahman

  (3:53 PM)

I think he was in a real fight. Who made him the second coming?

Anthony (san diego)

why should ruiz fight a 3rd tier fighter- like urself...what have u done lately

Hasim Rahman

  (3:54 PM)

I look better in my fights than Ruiz.

Eugene (Toronto)

Rock you keep saying only in a unification but which title are you going to go after?

Hasim Rahman

  (3:55 PM)

I want John Ruiz, and then I'll fight each and every title holder.

Pittsburgh, PA

Hey champ, you beat Tua, I was at the Spectrum that night. I wanted to know who inspired you to start boxing? And what age did you start?

Hasim Rahman

  (3:56 PM)

Boxing on the street ... he told me I could make a million dollars ... so i was off to the gym!

Geno, MD

Hey Rock how's this plan sound; You beat up Brewster or Ruiz to get a version of the title, then take on V Klitschko at Camden Yards for the real deal!!!

Hasim Rahman

  (3:57 PM)

That's the plan, Geno!

Anthony (san diego)

thats it?...goood one

Elaine (San Diego)

No question, but i just want to tell you that not all people from san diego think like that jackass, Anthony. Big talk from a kid hiding behind a keyboard.

Antonio, Loyola College MD

Hey Rock just wanted to let you know that you have a huge fan base here at Loyola College, we'll all be cheering hard for you in your next fight! It's only a matter of time before your crowned the champ again!

Hasim Rahman

  (3:59 PM)

Thanks Antonio. Thank all my fans at Loyola.

tony, detroit

ruiz isn't a real champion and no one wants to see a rematch between the two of you anyway. how about byrd??

Hasim Rahman

  (4:00 PM)

I'll fight Byrd, but I'm sorry to tell you that I need that Ruiz belt first.

Tony (Danbury, CT)

How much longer do you think you can keep fighting????

Hasim Rahman

  (4:03 PM)

It depends. If the division stays like this, maybe till i'm 45.

Edwin

do you think that lennox lewis is as great as some people say? i really dont think he has proven anything in the heavyweight divisoin in my eyes... he was notoriously known to have a SOFT chin, and you proved that, and the big name fighters that he fought where all at the end of their careers, and not to forget, klitchko busted his rear end, and was luck that the fight was stoped.... i would like to know what are your thoughts on his legacy.

Hasim Rahman

  (4:06 PM)

Well, I thought he was a great champion who beat everybody they put in front of him. He was three-time world champion, and if his chin was so weak, why all of these big punches didn't put him down. Klichzko, Tyson, Holyfield, Golata, Mercer ...

Hasim Rahman

  (4:06 PM)

Thanks. It's been fun. Make sure you tune in to Friday Night Fights.

Moderator

  (4:07 PM)

Thanks everybody!