By Rick Reeno
BoxingScene.com was advised by Steve Nelson, manager of former two-time heavyweight champion Hasim Rahman, that his fighter is NOT going to take part in a MMA fight with ex-WWE star Bobby Lashley. Rumors were running all over the place that Rahman would replace the recently suspended Ken Shamrock in a supporting undercard bout on the Roy Jones-Omar Sheika pay-per-view on March 21.
Jones' company, Square Ring, did approach Rahman with an offer to replace Shamrock. Rahman is not going in that direction. He plans to make his return, in boxing, around May or June. Nelson tells BoxingScene that Rahman, at the moment, has no plans to enter an MMA ring.
"He's received several offers [for MMA]. He has not made any decision to go in that direction. If someone comes around and offers him what Floyd Mayweather Jr. was offered to do a wrestling exhibition, he may consider it, but under no circumstances is he going to fight on March 21," Nelson said.
"There are a lot of quotes out there, but none of them are directly from Rahman. Square Ring made him a very fair offer and more than most would believe. There are no plans to go in that direction. He actually plans to fight again in May or June."
