By Tom Ayzenberg

Hasim Rahman is ready, determined and banking on a victory over top contender Monte Barrett. Rahman knows that his entire career is on the line in this upcoming bout. Should Barrett score the upset, Rahman would likely not see another opportunity to challenge for a world title for quite some time.
 
After suffering disappointing losses to Lennox Lewis, Oleg Maskaev and WBA heavyweight champion John Ruiz, Rahman rededicated himself to the sport of boxing in order to resurrect his career. There was a point in time when Rahman was considered one of the brightest rising stars in the heavyweight division. He was on the fast path to a title shot until he ran into a young monster named David Tua. Rahman schooled Tua with his boxing skills for almost nine rounds of the fight, but did not protect himself at the end of the ninth round and was caught by a Tua bomb at the ending bell. The monster shot landed by Tua left Rahman out on his feet as he stumbled back to his corner. Once he came out for the tenth round, he was still out on his feet and Tua let his hands go until referee Telis Assimenios stopped the fight.
 
Rahman came back from the Tua loss to score two back to back knockouts, then he suffered an even deadlier setback. He was clearly not in fighting shape and dead tired in his bout with Oleg Maskaev. By round number 8, Rahman was so exhausted that he was barely able to throw any meaningful punches. One big right hand from Maskaev while Hasim was against the ropes, sent Rahman flying out of the ring and onto the hard arena floor. He was counted out and some questioned whether or not he was ever going to be the same fighter.
 
The "Rock" did not throw in the towel on his career, instead he regrouped and came back better then ever. Rahman won his next four fights which included an all-out war with Corrie Sanders and 5th round TKO upset win over Lennox Lewis to capture the heavyweight championship of the world.  
 
Rahman would then go on the worst run of his entire career. He went winless in his 4 next fights. Rahman suffered a 4 round knockout loss to Lennox Lewis to lose the heavyweight crown, an 8th round technical decision loss to Evander Holyfield, a draw with David Tua and a unanimous decision loss to John Ruiz. Most fans thought they had seen the last of Rahman following his decision loss to John Ruiz as most saw Ruiz as Rahman's worst career loss.
 
Rahman came back from the Ruiz loss to win a decision against journeyman Al Cole, but put on a horrible performance in the process. His next four bouts were complete blowouts, Rahman just took the opponents apart with ease, including contender Kali Meehan.
 
Monte Barrett is on a whole other level, a very crafty veteran with enough power in his punches to knock you out if he hits you from the right angle. Some fans consider Barrett's loss to Wladimir Klitschko in 2000 as the last fight he legitimately lost. Barrett has faced three undefeated top rated heavyweights in his last 3 fights. He almost knocked out undefeated Joe Mesi, who barely beat Barrett with a disputed majority decision, he took a split decision win over the heavily hyped Dominick Guinn and knocked out Owen Beck in ten rounds.
 
Rahman will have to be at his best and make no mistakes in order to beat Barrett. Most experts see Rahman knocking Barrett out late in the fight. Barrett's only knockout loss was to Wladimir Klitschko and Rahman's punches do not come close to the punches of Wladimir Klitschko in terms of power. Barrett faced three guys who can punch in his last three fights and none of them were able to put him away, I don't see Rahman being able to do the deed either.
 
To win against Barrett, Rahman is going to have to utilize the peppering jab that we all know he has in his arsenal and throw power shots from behind that jab. Klitschko used his long jab to set up the big punches that had Barrett flying all over the place. Rahman must make the older Barrett work in this fight, he must not let Barrett coast from round to round as Barrett gets more dangerous as the fight progresses.
 
Above everything else, Rahman must avoid a slugging match with Barrett at all costs. Mesi, Guinn and Beck all made the mistake of taking Barrett's power for granted and they all paid the price in their fights. Boxing is the key to beating Barrett. Hasim cannot look past this man, he is facing a very dangerous opponent and must keep his mind set on Barrett, not a potential meeting with Vitali Klitschko. If Rahman keeps his mind focused and uses his boxing skills, he should not have a difficult time winning this fight in order to land a much deserved WBC title shot against Klitschko.