Zahir Raheem
Encyclopedia
Zahir Raheem is an American
boxer
. Known as "Z-Man", his current professional record stands at 30 wins, 3 losses with 17 knockouts.
After a stellar amateur career, which included a 213-4 record, 15-1 against international competition, and a spot in the 1996 U.S. Olympic team. Raheem turned professional on November 16, 1996, with a 4th round KO win over Clifford Watford. Being among the less touted of the '96 U.S. Olympians, Raheem worked his way up the rankings slowly, before finally receiving a shot against Rocky Juarez
. Raheem lost to Juarez in what many thought was a "hometown" decision. Raheem was continuously hassled throughout the fight by the referee. After the match, HBO commentator Larry Merchant
said, "That referee made it seem like Raheem was fighting two people."
Raheem's next big fight was against legendary Mexican
Erik Morales
on September 10, 2005 in the Staples Center
in Los Angeles, CA. Morales was a heavy favorite and the matchup was viewed as warmup for his already scheduled superfight against Manny Pacquiao
. Raheem surprised everyone by dominating the fight from the beginning by using excellent footwork and body movement, and never let Morales find his rhythm. Raheem won by unanimous decision, winning Ring Magazine upset of the year for 2005, and cemented himself as a lightweight
contender.
On April 29, 2006, Zahir Raheem lost by split decision against Acelino Freitas
for the recently vacated WBO
Lightweight title. This was Raheem's first world title fight. On the 5th of July 2008 Raheem was knocked out by a South African boxer Ali Funeka
.
At the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games, Raheem lost in the second round. His results were:
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
boxer
Boxing
Boxing, also called pugilism, is a combat sport in which two people fight each other using their fists. Boxing is supervised by a referee over a series of between one to three minute intervals called rounds...
. Known as "Z-Man", his current professional record stands at 30 wins, 3 losses with 17 knockouts.
After a stellar amateur career, which included a 213-4 record, 15-1 against international competition, and a spot in the 1996 U.S. Olympic team. Raheem turned professional on November 16, 1996, with a 4th round KO win over Clifford Watford. Being among the less touted of the '96 U.S. Olympians, Raheem worked his way up the rankings slowly, before finally receiving a shot against Rocky Juarez
Rocky Juarez
Ricardo Rocky Juarez is a professional Mexican-American boxer. Juarez has a current professional record of 28 wins, 7 losses and 1 draw, with 19 wins coming by way of knockout.- Professional career :...
. Raheem lost to Juarez in what many thought was a "hometown" decision. Raheem was continuously hassled throughout the fight by the referee. After the match, HBO commentator Larry Merchant
Larry Merchant
Larry Merchant is an American former sportswriter, a longtime commentator for HBO Sports presentations of HBO World Championship Boxing, Boxing After Dark and HBO pay-per-view telecasts, and is considered "the greatest television boxing analyst of all time" by ESPN Boxing analyst Dan Rafael.-Life...
said, "That referee made it seem like Raheem was fighting two people."
Raheem's next big fight was against legendary Mexican
Mexican people
Mexican people refers to all persons from Mexico, a multiethnic country in North America, and/or who identify with the Mexican cultural and/or national identity....
Erik Morales
Erik Morales
Érik Isaac Morales Elvira is a Mexican professional boxer. He is the first Mexican born boxer in history to win a world title in four weight classes and is the current WBC Light Welterweight Champion...
on September 10, 2005 in the Staples Center
Staples Center
Staples Center is a multi-purpose sports arena in Downtown Los Angeles. Adjacent to the L.A. Live development, it is located next to the Los Angeles Convention Center complex along Figueroa Street. Opening on October 17, 1999, it is one of the major sporting facilities in the Greater Los Angeles...
in Los Angeles, CA. Morales was a heavy favorite and the matchup was viewed as warmup for his already scheduled superfight against Manny Pacquiao
Manny Pacquiao
Emmanuel "Manny" Dapidran Pacquiao, PLH is a Filipino professional boxer and politician. He is the first eight-division world champion; having won six world titles, as well as the first to win the lineal championship in four different weight classes. He was named "Fighter of the Decade" for the...
. Raheem surprised everyone by dominating the fight from the beginning by using excellent footwork and body movement, and never let Morales find his rhythm. Raheem won by unanimous decision, winning Ring Magazine upset of the year for 2005, and cemented himself as a lightweight
Lightweight
Light-weight is a class of athletes in a particular sport, based on their weight.-Professional boxing:The lightweight division is over 130 pounds and up to 135 pounds weight class in the sport of boxing....
contender.
On April 29, 2006, Zahir Raheem lost by split decision against Acelino Freitas
Acelino Freitas
Acelino "Popó" Freitas is a Brazilian boxer and a former world junior lightweight and lightweight champion. Freitas is also a state legislator for the state of Bahia . His style of fighting in the ring has garnered him a reputation for being more of a brawler than a boxer. His nickname, Popó, was...
for the recently vacated WBO
World Boxing Organization
The World Boxing Organization is a sanctioning organization currently recognizing professional boxing world champions. The organization is recognized as one of the four major world championship groups by the IBHOF alongside the International Boxing Federation, the World Boxing Council and the...
Lightweight title. This was Raheem's first world title fight. On the 5th of July 2008 Raheem was knocked out by a South African boxer Ali Funeka
Ali Funeka
Ali Funeka is a South African boxer. Known as "Rush Hour", he is currently trained by former champion Vuyani Bungu. His current record stands at 30 victories, 3 defeats, 3 draws and 25 knockouts....
.
Amateur Highlights
Won the Bantamweight Olympic Trials in 1996, by defeating the following boxers:- Rosendo Sanchez (points)
- Teaunce Shepherd (points)
- Steve CarterSteve CarterSteve or Steven Carter may refer to:*Steve Carter , Attorney General of Indiana, U.S.A.*Steve Carter , English footballer who played for Notts County, Derby County, Torquay United and Minnesota Kicks...
(points) - Steve CarterSteve CarterSteve or Steven Carter may refer to:*Steve Carter , Attorney General of Indiana, U.S.A.*Steve Carter , English footballer who played for Notts County, Derby County, Torquay United and Minnesota Kicks...
(points), this bout was at the Olympic Box-Offs in Augusta, GA
At the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games, Raheem lost in the second round. His results were:
- Jong-Gil Oh (North Korea) won on points
- Arnaldo MesaArnaldo MesaArnaldo Mesa Bonell is a retired boxer from Cuba, who won the silver medal for his native country at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia. In the final of the Bantamweight division he was defeated by Hungary's István Kovács...
(Cuba) lost by TKO 1