PRINCE NASEEM HAMED Boxer

Naseem Hamed otherwise known as Prince Naseem Hamed or Naz is arguably Britians greatest ever featherweight. Standing at only 5 feet 3 inches, and looking small in stature he had the punching power of a middleweight. One of the few British boxers to win all the major world titles in his division apart from the WBA featherweight title.

Naseem was born on the 12th February 1974 to a large Yemeni family who settled in Sheffield. Naz started boxing at the age of 7 after his father Sal sent him to Brendan Ingle’s gym.
Naz had a successful amateur career and turned professional on the 14th April 1992 when he fought Ricky Beard. The fight only lasted two rounds after he knocked out his opponent. Naz then went on to dominate the Super Bantamweight Division beating all the domestic and overseas opposition without fighting for a world title.

Once Naz excelled on the world stage but as a Super Bantamweight without a world title. He made an odd decision to fight for the Featherweight title against the very strong and durable Steve Robinson for the WBO Featherweight title. In front of a mainly partisan Welsh crowd at the Cardiff Arena on the 30th September 1995 everyone expected Steve Robinson, the local man, to beat a seemingly inexperienced Naz. However the fight turned out to be an entirely different spectacle. After eight one sided rounds the referee stopped the fight after Robinson took a humiliating and brutal beating.

After defeating Robinson Naz spent the next five years winning all the major titles including WBC and making several defences of his WBO title against the best Manuel Medina, Tom Johnson and others. However Naz’s biggest test was against the top Mexican Marco Antonio Barerra, who was at one stage considered one of the best pound for pound boxers in any division. Naz was surprisingly beaten and tactically inadequate against the fast hands of Barrera. Although Naz lost on points it seemed as though especially in the last round he did not have the will or desire to force a victory.

Naz has only fought once since he fought Barerra. A boring points decision against Spain’s Manuel Calvo for IBO Featherweight title. He has not fought for a couple of years though he is still insistent that he is going to make a comeback. His increased inactivity in the ring though makes it seem rather unlikely that he will fight again though you never know.

Naz has been a positive member of the community who has given to charities. He is a family man who has shied away from the media in the last couple years. Naz’s will always be remembered for his immense punching power, extravagance and extreme arrogance was a thrill to watch.

Naz had an amazing record of 36 wins, 31 knockouts and only 1 defeat. With 11 of his wins coming from second round stoppages. At his peak he earned an estimated £40 million in earnings an astonishing amount for a lower division fighter. He also received an MBE from the Queen’s New Year ‘s Honours list in January 1999.

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