The boxer formerly known as, "Prince" Naseem Hamed, was well known for his flashy ring entrances, unorthodox south paw fighting style, and his god-awful dance moves.
"Come next year I'm back." Hamed exclaimed. "He's back! I'm back!" He began preaching into the camera during an interview on Amir Khan in the UK.
So what exactly happened to this so-called champion since the interview aired in December of 2005?
On May 3, 2005, Hamed was arrested and charged with reckless driving. He was involved in a three-car collision near his home in Sheffield, England while driving his McClaren-Mercedes SLR.
On May 12, 2006, he was sentenced to 15 months behind bars and a four-year driving ban. Hamed served 16 weeks in jail, and was released under house arrest.
Wouldn't jail be a good time to start focusing on training to make that big comeback he talked about? He could easily work on his footwork by dropping the soap in the shower and running around like a little schoolgirl.
They probably don't have a heavy bag there, but I'm sure if he would have been kind enough to let Big Bubba pound on him, Bubba might have let him take a few swings.
Apparently, Hamed was too busy lifting chocolate dum-dums into his mouth to lift any real dumbbells.
One would think that this obnoxious, arrogant human being would fade away and settle down after all the years he spent exercising his mouth in and outside of the ring. His behavior in the ring was outlandish, and at times disrespectful to the sport of boxing.
His recent 50-pound weight gain makes talk of the comeback look even more like a joke.
"If I were to start training again, I would go back to my old fighting weight." Hamed stated.
For those of you that don't know Hamed's old fighting weight, or resume, let me tickle your pickle. In his prime, Hamed stood at a whopping five feet and four-and-a-half inches, and weighed in at 120 pounds.
He held the title of EBU European Bantamweight Championship, IBF Featherweight Championship, IBO Featherweight Championship, WBC Featherweight Championship, WBC International Super Bantamweight Championship, and WBO Featherweight Championship.
Before you look at the titles I just listed and say to yourself "Wow, he musta' been one amazing fighter," let me give you a little more information on this so-called champion.
As an amateur boxer, Hamed had 67 fights and a record of 62-5 (17 of his wins by way of knockout).
Hamed's professional career would be much different, not in terms of success, but in terms of his so-called, "knockout power." He accumulated 37 professional fights and maintained a record of 36-1 (31 by way of knockout).
There are a few things I would like everyone to take note of.
The first point that needs to be brought to your attention is the fact that he never once had a draw, ever. He had 104 fights throughout the course of his career, yet never scored a draw.
Secondly, what kind of boxer fights amateurs and records a knockout 25.3 percent of the time, then turns pro, (for those of you not following me, that means he's fighting the best boxers in the world) and knocks out 86 percent of his opponents?
Hmm…does anyone see where I'm going with this one?
I watched Naseem Hamed as he was coming up. While he was on top, I noticed that not all of his fights—but most of them—seemed fixed.
Yeah, that's right, I said it; his fights were fixed.
His so-called "knockout power," had died off by the end of his career.
My guess would be that his promoters and trainers were growing tired of this clown, and simply would not pay other fighters to take a dive.
In all of the research I have done, and all of the articles that I have read; it was clear to me that he's had a huge following of losers. Anyone who loyally follows this chump is obviously way off the reservation, just like Hamed.
Naseem Hamed's comments of a "comeback" are more than likely going to be short-lived, while making me laugh hysterically...much like his career.
comments (19) write a comment »
write a new comment
4 months ago
while Hamed's antics and ring entrances were memorable, they certainly werent for everybody. he wasnt the greatest of all time at featherweight, but he was no imposter. At his best, he used his handspeed, power, and awkward punching angles to win. his prime was pretty short lived, and probably only lasted a little over a year, but he has wins and knockouts of pretty good fighters, (kevin kelly, wayne mccullough,and wilfredo vazquez.
On a side note, it is actually quite common for fighters to have higher ko percentages as pros than they did as amateurs. Take away the headgear, and the fact that in the amateurs the emphasis is on scoring points and many fighters fight differently as pros.
4 months ago
hi
the person who wrote this article have you ever boxed yourself
you dont even know what hamed was about
he had knockout power
a lot of people ended in hospital
he fought the contenders and champions
the reason he won was not beacuse he was a chump but he wa sa fighter with a unique style and
real power
so before you start accusing someone of being a chump go look at those titles and then speak
this aint wrestling this is boxing
hamed never ducked noone
yes he might never comeback but what is the need when you ahve made millions of dollars
and have made enough
he aint stupid like jeff fenech coming back infact i respect hamed he knew when to quit
smart man i would say, no point pushing it when you aint got it nomore
from 4 months ago
Hamed never ducked anyone? How about after he got his butt handed to him against Marco Antonio Barrera? The arragant show off had to delay the fight a full hour just so they could set up his entrance involving fireworks and such then Barrera came out like a caged lion and pummeled Hamed.
Okay...so what? He got beat once you might say and was out matched that fight.
If he was such a great fighter why did he refuse a rematch with Barrera? After the fight he said "the rematch clause is in the contract...he has no choice, i'll get one", so why haven't we seen it? There were talks for months after the fight about the rematch, then all of a sudden he turns it down. What a great champion.
Also, since when does actually boxing have anything to do with analyzing it? If you have boxed or haven't boxed that has absolutly nothing to do with being a fan of it and evaluating the sport.
from 4 months ago
I ALMOST AGREE WITH ASIF. BUT FOR ONE HE DID DUCK JUAN MANUEL MARQUEZ, AND THE OTHER ONE IS THAT HE DID NOT KNOW WHEN TO QUIT. MARCO ANTONIO BARRERA MADE THAT DECISION.
4 months ago
This is a deeply flawed, and highly biased article.
Firstly, turning professional doesn't mean you are "fighting the best fighters in the world" like you said. It means the rules are different, there is less safety gear, the pace is slower, and you're getting paid. There are pro's out there with 150 or more losses on their record, guys that just turn up for the cheque at the end of the night, they certainly aren't anywhere near the best in the world like you say. In fact some would argue that the amatuer game is tougher than the pro's, as it is faster paced, you can't pick your opponents, and matches are made more evenly.
Secondly, his following is almost entirely comprised of British Muslims. They follow him because he is Islamic, and not because they are "losers" as you seem to believe.
Thirdly, I find it hard to believe that any of his fights were fixed. Naseem Hamed beat Kevin Kelley with a 4th round KO. Kelley was one of the best in the division, probably only behind Hamed and Barrera at the time. There is no way that fight was fixed, as Hamed was downed several times during it, and I don't believe Kelley would take a dive as he still fights to this day trying to make it back to the top. His passion for boxing is unquestionable, so to insinuate that Hamed could beat Kelley but needed any of his other opponents to take a dive is absurd.
Also, a lot of fighters KO percentage goes up when they make the jump to the pro ranks. Most of their first fights are against lower caliber fighters than they would have faced in the amateurs, as matches are made more evenly in the amateur game at all levels. Fights are also longer, giving fighters more time to score a KO, and the pace is not as frantic, giving fighters the chance to work out their opponents style so they can set them up for something.
And finally, whilst you are of course entitled to your opinion about his behaviour, it certainly got your attention, which is what I believe Hamed intended in the first place. I believe he acted like a disrespectful moron, much the same as Muhammad Ali, because it gets more attention, sells more tickets and makes more PPV sales than being a shy, reserved and respectful competitor, and this seems to have flown completely over your head.
4 months ago
This is the epitome of an anti-Hamed article. Geez, it seems like you have some personal issues to work out with the guy. It's actually people like you that have been the reason Hamed was so successful and filthy rich til this day. Every few months or so, you'd boost Hamed's tv ratings by tuning in for the purpose of hoping to see him get knocked out. And it took years, YEARS!, before you finally got what you wanted and it had to come from a fighter the caliber of MAB to do it. I'm sorry to say, but if it weren't for personalities like Hamed, boxing wouldn't be worth sh*t watching. Noone has come along with his charisma. . .not even close.
Quitting while you're ahead is not the same thing as quitting. Hamed left the sport rich, young, and healthy. It's unfortunate that it'll be years before people really come to realize what this guy did for the sport as a whole.
4 months ago
In response to Matt and kaipo...I never once said in my article that he didn't help boxing. It is clear that Hamed helped boxing and that is the sole reason I can at least somewhat stand him. I believe he was disrespectful and an obnoxious *expletive*, yet he brought popularity to the sport which does make him tollerable to me. You both bring up great points and I appreciate your comments.
Now onto the comments about how his fights weren't fixed and he was a great fighter. Okay...MAYBE he was a great fighter for 2 or 3 years. Like I said before I watched Hamed fight mostly all of his proffesional fights and some as an amateur. His promotors before he got big set him up with an awful lot of fighters that got in the ring with him, let him beat on them for a few rounds, then take a soft tap to the face and keel over. That's not an opinion...if you can somehow find his older less marketed fights you'll see it. My guess from seeing that is simply saying his fights were fixed...maybe they were maybe they weren't, it's an opinionated article...no wonder it's highly biased.
Once again thank you for your comments.
4 months ago
Andrew,
Your right. You're entitled to your opinion and this is your article so I have to respect that. This man is always a controversial topic to discuss. I'll do my part to keep it civil as well. I think you should watch the recently added Naseem Hamed video and listen to Jim Watts at the end speak on Hamed. He hits the nail right on the head.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=kYtnwxNbFtA&feature=related
from 4 months ago
Haha, yeah I have seen it quite a few times already...thanks a lot for the tip. Also i'd have to say I agree with about 50% of what Jimmy Watts said at the end there. He brought popularity to the sport more than most boxers could ever do, Mayweather, De La Hoya, Trinidad, etc. He brought more popularity than those guys I do believe, I just never thought he was a great fighter like the other guys were preaching, that's why I wrote about it.
4 months ago
Andrew
Your opinions I guess but why wait all this time before questionin Hamed?
tle that had us getting right till the end
He did alot of things that were unconventional in the ring and his fighting style was unique to say the least but boy could he punch. Remember the Augie Sanchez fight and Paul Ingle those weren't pit a pat punches my friend.
My one gripe about hamed was that he never knuckled down and took the rematch with Barrera. Although he lost to Barrera he wasn't disgraced and his chin stood up to the test.
The shootout with kelley will always be a favourite of mine s see saw bat
4 months ago
Instead of making silly statements about fixed fights and ducking rematches why didn't the reporter ask Hamed about these topics and let the former champion rerspond?
4 months ago
The reporter is a 21 year old male living in Pennsylvania...i'd love to interview The Former Champ, I respect what he's done for boxing, but it pretty much stops there. I have no way of contacting him for an interview...unless of course he see's this article, that's doubtful.
Once again, thanks for all the comments...I enjoyed writing about it and you all brought up great points, that's why this website is so great.
4 months ago
I wanted to just add on about what Asif wrote. Believe it or not, it is true. If people claim that Hamed was ducking guys like Barrera, Morales, JMM, then they have to equally say that these guys just as well ducked him. Barrera was offered to fight Naseem years before the fight happened. In fact, he was offered the fight after Hamed knocked Tom Johnson out. Barrera's team declined. Remember the Augie Sanchez fight? Well, HBO did a pre-show on how Tapia, Barrera, Morales, & Marquez were offered way more money then they ever made in their careers to fight Hamed that night and ALL SAID "NO". I do see how Barrera and Morales needed rest coming off their 1st fight, but everyone else really had no excuse. So technically, he did call out everybody at one point or another.
4 months ago
Whoever wrote this knows nothing about boxing..it is much harder to score a knockout in amateurs due to head guard and the general style being much more defensive..most heavy punchers didnt show their power until becoming professional...felix trinidad had only 12KOs from 51 wins in his amateur days, that shows its much different when u become professional...suppose u think trinidads fights were fixed too. Do your homework on the topic you wish to discuss, im not even a prince naseem fan but your general lack of knowledge on the subject is pathetic..and you're trying to write articles..idiot.
from 4 months ago
I'm trying to imply that Hamed NEVER had his so-called "knockout" power that everyone ranted and raved about. That's why it seemed easy to tell that he had fights that were fixed in the pro's. Thank you for the comment.
3 months ago
I completely agree with Oscar, the writer of this article is a complete and utter TWAT!!
Hameed knocked out many guys in the ring as a pro and demonstrated tremondous abilty and power in the ring on MANY MANY occasions!
What you have to understand is that politics does play a part in most sports where promoters and managers will line up fights which will potentially make money and build up fighters records. But that doesnt mean the fights are FIXED! Hamed never ducked anyone and openly challenged all fighters after his fights, the fact of the matter is even the best of the fighters like Barrera have to be protected and looked after these days.
Your analysis are pathetic and pointless. Im not suggesting by any means that Hamed was the greatest boxer ever lived and we should all start worshipping him. But I think credit were its due, he was not invincible - but the man provided one of the best entertainments to the sport, was a great fighter and champion, who lost to a better fighter on the day - Barrera fair and square.
3 months ago
I agree with Keith, Andrew is a complete and utter TWAT!!
3 months ago
nasem hamed was is and will be the best feather weight champion in the world, he had tremendous knock out punches and who ever wrote the article doesnt know the meaning of boxing, he just knows how to chat shit
about 1 month ago
Andrew u r a utter twat i think u shud start reporting on an other sport like cricket...for u 2 say every 1 who followed him r losers u hypocrite by the sounds of it u seem to know a lot about his previous fights & wot he did for the sport weather u rated him or not does not make a difference at the end of the day u tuned in to watch his fights & so did 100 million other people on the night he fought barrera.
Ur a 21 year old from pennysvalia wherever the f*** that is no wonder u chattin bubbles goin on like u seen all his amateur fights wot in ur nappies???...And yeah ur right theirs no way ud b able to interview Nas even though it probably would b ur dream com true well I hope 1 day that does happen & he launches 1 of his rocket launcherz @ u den im sure ull know wot that power was about & i think ull change ur mind about his fights being fixed dat is when u get released from hospital dat is!!!
Dats all i hav 2 say on the matter & a bit of advice on future articles reportin on boxin or on nething else on that matter DON'T BOTHER & go crawl bck in ur shell F'IN MUPPET!!!
write a new comment