The return of a long-faded Hasim Rahman is off the cards, at least for now.Rahman, 53, was scheduled to step back between the ropes for the first time in 12 years on August 18 in Rochester, New York.Rahman had launched a comeback with the view of becoming the oldest world heavyweight championGettyThe boxing icon had been booked against 42-year-old Robert Simms (12-7-1), with lofty aspirations to eventually challenge for a world title and break George Foreman’s record as the oldest heavyweight champion.However, the event, including the seven-bout undercard, has been cancelled less than a week before it was due to take place.That is according to boxing insider Dan Rafael, who stopped short of giving an explanation for the collapse.Local news station 13 WHAM ABC reports that ticket refunds have already been issued.Whether the setback deters Rahman from making a comeback altogether is yet to be seen.Rahman has not released a statement at the time of writing, but his comments to esteemed journalist Tris Dixon in June 2023 painted the picture of a man struggling with his identity post-boxing.“It’s something that’s in me,” he said. “The identity as the heavyweight champion is there forever.“Like it, love it, it’s there. I’ve never retired.“Now my actions may show something different, but I’ve never declared that I’m a retired fighter.”Rahman stunned the boxing world in 2001 by knocking out LewisGETTYWhat did Hasim Rahman achieve?Rahman last fought in 2014 when he was outpointed by 3-3 Kiwi Anthony Nansen.In his previous bout in 2012, he was halted inside two rounds by Alexander Povetkin for the WBA ‘regular’ title.At the peak of his powers, in the early 2000s, Rahman enjoyed two seperate reigns as heavyweight world champion.The first of those came in 2001 when he shocked the world by knocking out Lennox Lewis to claim the WBC and IBF belts.He lost the immediate rematch inside the distance, but regained the WBC belt four years later after being elevated from interim to full champion following Vitali Klitschko‘s retirement.Rahman retained the strap by holding James Toney to a draw before being dethroned by Oleg Maskaev in August 2006.Watch Boxing on DAZN*If you click a link in this boxout, we will earn affiliate revenueSign up to DAZN to access the definitive subscription for boxing fans.Upgrade to DAZN Ultimate from just £24.99/month, guaranteeing access to 185+ fights annually, a minimum of 12 pay-per-views at no extra cost, as well as every Lega Serie A match and other elite football access.Alternatively, DAZN Standard is just £15.99/month, with the caveat you will have to pay for pay-per-view events.Click here to sign up.