WelshDevilRob Posted April 30, 2011 Share Posted April 30, 2011 Naseem Hamed http://www.autographscovers.co.uk/assets/images/db_images/db_NASEEM_HAMED1.jpg Boxing record Total fights 37 Wins 36 Wins by KO 31 Losses 1 Draws 0 No contests 0 Naseem Hamed (Arabic: نسيم حميد, Nasīm Ḥamīd; also known as Prince Naseem; born 12 February 1974) is a British-Yemeni boxer and former World Featherweight and European Bantamweight Champion. Hamed was known for his boxing antics and spectacular ring entrances that have included being deposited in the middle of the ring by an elevator, which was set up specially for the event near the roof of the Manchester Evening News Arena, entering the ring in a low-rider Chevrolet Impala, entering on a flying carpet, re-enacting the video of Michael Jackson's Thriller, being carried into the ring on a palanquin, walking into the ring on a fashion runway style walk way and walking into the ring with a Halloween mask for his fight with Wayne McCullough (fought on Halloween night of 1998). He was also known for his front somersault over the top rope into the ring, which he did for all his professional fights. Hamed is also known for his unorthodox behaviour outside the ring. He had an altercation at Heathrow Airport with former boxing world champion Chris Eubank, showing off his belts and reminding Eubank that he was no longer a champion. He was managed by Barry Hearn then Frank Warren and finally by his eldest brother Riath Hamed. In May 2006, he was jailed for 15 months for dangerous driving but was granted an early release in September 2006. Hamed was awarded the MBE in 1999, but it was revoked in December 2006, after his jail sentence. Early career Hamed was born in Sheffield, to Yemeni parents, in 1974. Hamed started boxing professionally at Flyweight in 1992. He soon began rising through the ranks as he knocked out a series of opponents in the opening rounds. Age 20 he won the European Bantamweight title, comprehensively beating the beleaguered Vincenzo Belcastro over twelve rounds. After one defence he added the WBC International Super Bantamweight title to his CV in 1994, overwhelming Freddy Cruz in Sheffield, whom he severely punished & stopped in the sixth round. Hamed's popularity grew, his unorthodox style winning a large fan base and his boxing antics generating a large group of detractors. After signing for Frank Warren, Hamed, employing spectacular entrances in which he began somersaulting over the top rope and entering the arena to Here Comes the Hotstepper, knocked out better opposition in Enrique Angeles and Juan Polo Pérez, both within two rounds. World Featherweight Champion Later in 1995, after controversially being named the WBO #1 Featherweight contender (despite never having boxed at that weight), Hamed moved up to face Wales' defending WBO Champion Steve Robinson. After dominating the bout & scoring a knockdown in Round 5, Hamed won the title when the referee stopped the fight in Round 8 after Robinson was caught with a left hook and lost his footing. The fight was held in front of Robinson's home crowd at Cardiff Arms Park, a roofless stadium now replaced by The Millenium Stadium, with rain pouring down on the fighters and the ring. His first defence came against Austrian based Nigerian, Said Lawal, who was instantly knocked down from Hamed's first punch, then stopped in just 35 seconds after being effortlessly dropped again. This was the fastest world title fight ever held in Scotland, much to the displeasure of the crowd. Hamed's second defence was against against undefeated Puerto Rican Daniel Alicea. Televised in the United States by Showtime, Hamed was carried to the ring on a grand throne, something which Hamed later stated he was not comfortable with. After a fast, lively start from Alicea, Hamed suffered a surprising brief knockdown in Round 1, the first of his career. However, Hamed won the fight in his favoured Round 2 with two knockdowns, the second of which forced the referee to wave the fight off instantly. Hamed's next defence was in Dublin against former two-time world Featherweight title holder Manuel Medina. After knocking Medina down heavily in Round 2, Hamed struggled to finish the fight until finally knocking Medina down twice in Round 11. The end came when the ring side doctor advised Medina's corner to stop the fight. Hamed revealed in his post-fight interview that he'd fought with a heavy cold. Medina would go on to have many more tough title fights, remarkably winning versions of the Featherweight world title another three times. Hamed's next opponent was the 27-0 Remigio Molina of Argentina, who was stopped in two rounds. The next opponent was IBF Champion Tom "Boom Boom" Johnson, who was defeated in eight rounds in a unification bout at the London Arena. After being constantly stunned & staggered from Round 3 onwards, Johnson was finally dropped by a huge uppercut, then saved from further punishment by the referee. Hamed's first defence of both the WBO & IBF titles was a first round ko of veteran British boxer Billy Hardy. Before the bout Hamed had correctly predicted he would win in Round 1. The next defence was an easy two round win against a hugely outclassed Juan Gerardo Carbrera. Due to boxing politics involving the IBF's mandatory challenger, Hamed was soon forced to relinquish the IBF title. In Hamed's hometown of Sheffield in October 1997, he produced one of the finest performances of his career in defending his WBO title against the tough contender Jose Badillo, who's corner stopped the fight during Round 7. http://www.saddoboxing.com/boxing-photos/naz-kelly.jpg In late 1997 Hamed made his heavily hyped U.S. debut. His ceremonious arrival on the British Airways Concorde was covered by multiple media outlets. There, he and former WBC Featherweight Champion Kevin Kelley fought in Ring Magazine's fight of the year at the Madison Square Garden in New York. This fight marks something of a watershed in Hamed's career, as he was forced, for the first time, to abandon his hands-down style of fighting throughout the entire course of the bout, given the calibre of Kelley. Nonetheless, despite suffering three knockdowns himself, Hamed put Kelley down for a third and final time to win by a fourth round knockout. This was his first of many fights on HBO. http://boxingfights.net/prince-naseem-hamed.jpg In 1998, Hamed enjoyed victories over former three-time WBA title holder Wilfredo Vazquez (TKO 7), former WBC Bantamweight Champion Wayne McCullough (W 12), and future IBF title holder Paul Ingle (TKO 11). In October 1999 at Joe Louis Arena, Detroit, Michigan, United States, Hamed defeated WBC Featherweight Champion Cesar Soto of Mexico over 12 rounds, adding the WBC title to his collection & briefly unifying the WBC & WBO titles. Hamed soon chose to relinquish his WBC title due to his commitment to being WBO Champion. Had Vazquez not been (deliberately) stripped by the WBA of his belt (the WBA did not want their featherweight title unified with the WBO), Hamed would have had the distinction of winning all four world titles in a division, something only Riddick Bowe had achieved at heavyweight. In March 2000 at Olympia, Kensington, London, Hamed knocked out former undefeated long-reigning IBF Super Bantamweight title holder, Vuyani Bungu of South Africa. The fight was ended with a single straight left hand, in one of Hamed's most impressive performances & biggest victories. Hamed successfully retained his WBO title for the 15th & final time in August 2000 against Augie Sanchez at Foxwoods Resort, Mashantucket, Connecticut, United States via a devastating fourth round knockout. After this bout, rather than face the unknown EBU Champion & WBO mandatory challenger István Kovács, Hamed relinquished his WBO title to pave the way for a Superfight with long-time rival, Marco Antonio Barrera. Hamed vs Barrera On 7 April 2001 at the MGM Grand Casino in Las Vegas, Hamed lost to Marco Antonio Barrera via a unanimous decision. Hamed's record at the time was 35-0 and he was a heavy favourite with bookmaker's odds of 1/8. After being wobbled in Round 1, Hamed could not hit Barrera with his trademark lefts as the Mexican boxer was equally as quick and was not fighting defensively. His game plan was to circle around Hamed anti-clockwise to negate Hamed's powerful left hand punch. It worked perfectly. On one occasion early in the fight, Hamed grabbed Barrera and they both fell to the ground where Barrera threw a right jab, leading to a warning from referee Joe Cortez. In the 12th and final round, Hamed, still looking for the knockout punch, missed wildy with a left hand, resulting in Barrera taking the opportunity to trap Hamed in a Half Nelson hold and force his head into the turnbuckle, whispering "Who's your daddy?" in Hamed's ear, resulting in a point deducted by referee Joe Cortez. Ultimately, Barrera was more versatile and threw more impressive combinations forcing Hamed into going for ill directed power punches. Final bout On 18 May 2002 at ExCel Arena, Docklands, London, Hamed returned to the ring for what turned out to be his final boxing match, against the European Champion Manuel Calvo. Despite winning the fight comfortably by a unanimous decision, Hamed performed poorly, resulting in boos and derision from the British crowd during the later rounds, and many of the crowd leaving before the last round[4]. In a tense post-fight interview with Ian Darke, Hamed assured a quick return to the ring which ultimately never happened. Vague talk of a return to the sport has swirled around the charismatic fighter ever since, but no firm plans have ever been made. In an interview for Sky Sports, Hamed mentioned that part of the reason that he left boxing after this fight was because of his commitments to his family, whom he would often not see for up to 9 weeks at a time whilst attending training camps. Hamed also gave an interview for BBC Radio Sportsweek and announced that his retirement was largely due to chronic hand problems, which meant he had to take tendinitis injections after every fight. Style Hamed employed a unique style that flummoxed opponents and contributed to his tremendous popularity. Hamed's most powerful punch was a straight left that was known to knock strong fighters out in a single shot. He rarely threw combinations in excess of three punches, which were usually composed of two right jabs followed by a straight left, hook or uppercut. Because Hamed threw his left with such ferocity, he often lost his balance, a stylistic defect that opponents such as Kelley and Marco Antonio Barrera took advantage of. For defence, Hamed relied mainly on his sharp reflexes to avoid his adversaries' punches, rarely blocking shots and preferring to back away from strong attacks. His quick feet prevented him from getting stuck against the ropes or in corners. Hamed clinched infrequently, primarily because he was not usually sufficiently fatigued to warrant such tactics. When in clinches he would often throw lefts to opponents' heads. He was famous for dancing in the ring after knocking the opponent out. Hamed was also known to clown around in the ring. When hit cleanly he would smile at opponents, make faces, shake his head, and shrug his shoulders to indicate that he was unhurt (this tactic is often used by boxers, usually with the opposite of the intended effect). Hamed sometimes danced in the ring and, ever the showman, usually entered by doing a flip over the ropes. This followed an extravagant ring walk, including walking along a catwalk in Madison Square Garden, being flown in on a magic carpet as well entering through a mock grave yard. Hamed's opponents did not generally respond to his taunts and horseplay, but his best, Barrera, was sufficiently infuriated by Hamed's flippancy to drive Hamed's head into a turnbuckle in the twelfth round of their fight costing himself a point. Source: wikipedia Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WelshDevilRob Posted April 30, 2011 Author Share Posted April 30, 2011 Nominated by GavPowell Naseem Hamed "Say what you like about Hamed, and many of us have said plenty, but the featherweight Roy Jones set the division alight with his fast reflexes, utterly unpredictable shot selection, freakish power and wild charisma. Woth ring entrances lasting longer than some of his fights, he was a shooting star, burning brightly before crashing out of sight. His later years are tarnished by the way he handled preparation and scandals in his private life, but during his career he beat 10 world champions, won every major belt in the division, brought publicity and money raining down on the lower weight classes and even behaved like a champion after his sole defeat. Like Tyson, any rejection of Hamed is generally born out of disappintment at what he could have been if only." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WelshDevilRob Posted April 30, 2011 Author Share Posted April 30, 2011 <object style="height: 390px; width: 640px"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pfUFYtXNN0A?version=3"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pfUFYtXNN0A?version=3" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" width="640" height="390"></object> <object style="height: 390px; width: 640px"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8kXVhnxNuwQ?version=3"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8kXVhnxNuwQ?version=3" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" width="640" height="390"></object> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
donlevy Posted April 30, 2011 Share Posted April 30, 2011 No,and I'm usually the one defending Hamed.Very good fighter and a very good run,with wins over many good fighters,but he falls short of the elite. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davemurphy Posted April 30, 2011 Share Posted April 30, 2011 We talk about fighters effect on the game beyond simply what they accomplished in the Ring and if that counts for something in anyones case, then it's Nassem Hamed. Until he skyrocketed on the scene, the Purses for Featherweight title fights were often in the low six figures, in some cases barely six figures. He took them into seven all by himself. He ushered in an Era that we're still enjoying today, where would Pacquiao, Barerra, JMM, etc. have been if Hamed hadn't brought the spotlight to them? IMO he did enough even without that, but to me it just cements his case. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davemurphy Posted April 30, 2011 Share Posted April 30, 2011 No,and I'm usually the one defending Hamed.Very good fighter and a very good run,with wins over many good fighters,but he falls short of the elite. Wow, after I responded and then started looking back through the thread to see who the No vote was, I certainly didn't expect it to be Don Levy. I'm surprised!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grapevine241 Posted April 30, 2011 Share Posted April 30, 2011 naz gets my vote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
donlevy Posted April 30, 2011 Share Posted April 30, 2011 Wow, after I responded and then started looking back through the thread to see who the No vote was, I certainly didn't expect it to be Don Levy. I'm surprised!! Dave,I've always backed up Hamed's credentials,but considering I voted against Fenech's inclusion(kind of regret that now),I think it's only fair I remain consistent and omit Hamed from the Budweiser hall of fame. It's a good thing I'm not on the IBHOF board. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
londoner Posted April 30, 2011 Share Posted April 30, 2011 I'm going to say NO. But, i'm going to start off by saying all the good things about his career. He was European bantamweight champion within 2 years of turning pro and a World champion within 3 and a half years. He is Britain's youngest ever World champion. He made lower weights the place to be and brought money in. He had a very long title reign which started in 1995 when he beat Steve Robinson for the WBO World title and ended in 2001 when he lost to Marco Antonio Barrera. He won the WBC, WBO and IBF World titles and fought some very good fighters such as Steve Robinson, Manuel Medina, Tom Johnson, Kevin Kelley, Wilfredo Vazquez, Wayne McCullough, Paul Ingle, Cesar Soto, Augie Sanchez... But, how many of them were World beaters? Would any of them have beaten Barrera or Morales? Quite simply: NO. When i look at Hamed's career i don't see any names on his record that could've troubled the other greats around those lower weights at the time such as Johnny Tapia, Erik Morales, Junior Jones, Paulie Ayala, Floyd Mayweather Jr, Juan Manuel Marquez, Arturo Gatti.... All of these fighters were linked to fights against Naseem (i'm not sure about Jones and Ayala though). So, i will always ask why Naseem didn't fight the elite at the time and retired at 27. I can only think it's because he didn't want those "ass whoopings" as he was the King of the "ass whooping". After Mike Tyson lost to Buster Douglas he lost that air of invincibility. That is what Hamed lost against Barrera. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
londoner Posted April 30, 2011 Share Posted April 30, 2011 We talk about fighters effect on the game beyond simply what they accomplished in the Ring and if that counts for something in anyones case, then it's Nassem Hamed. Until he skyrocketed on the scene, the Purses for Featherweight title fights were often in the low six figures, in some cases barely six figures. He took them into seven all by himself. He ushered in an Era that we're still enjoying today, where would Pacquiao, Barerra, JMM, etc. have been if Hamed hadn't brought the spotlight to them? IMO he did enough even without that, but to me it just cements his case. Dave, i think he should be in the IBHOF simply because there are some very dodgy entrances in there. Naseem, Eubank, Benn etc who i have never wanted to see entered into the IBHOF are now worthy entrances IMO after i learnt about exactly who is in already over the last 2 years. But, in the Budweiser HOF (what we could call an "ideal" HOF) i won't include him for the reasons i made above. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WelshDevilRob Posted April 30, 2011 Author Share Posted April 30, 2011 He gets my vote. Fantastic skills, power and speed. Entertaining to watch though he did leave boxing too early but I believe that was down to his motivation going - a few fights before meeting Barrera. He won all his fights bar one and he beat decent opposition while making alot of defences of the Featherweight titles he held. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grapevine241 Posted April 30, 2011 Share Posted April 30, 2011 dont forget, naz should have had all 4 belts unified Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jabandmove Posted April 30, 2011 Share Posted April 30, 2011 An easy yes for me, one of my favourite fighters. He was world class and he should be in the IBHOF as well Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WelshDevilRob Posted April 30, 2011 Author Share Posted April 30, 2011 Also currently in need of your votes: Lennox Lewis: http://www.ringnews24boxingforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=10259 Pernell Whitaker: http://www.ringnews24boxingforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=10257 Alexis Arguello: http://www.ringnews24boxingforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=9975 Stanley Ketchel: http://www.ringnews24boxingforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=9972 Jeff Fenech: http://www.ringnews24boxingforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=9712 Jack 'Kid' Berg: http://www.ringnews24boxingforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=9973 Pete Sanstol: http://www.ringnews24boxingforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=9974 Ezzard Charles: http://www.ringnews24boxingforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=9519 Sam Langford: http://www.ringnews24boxingforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=9520 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_budweiser Posted April 30, 2011 Share Posted April 30, 2011 Big fan of Naseem but a NO from me, ended his career to prematurely when he should of got even better and even tried to avenge his loss to Barrera Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crusader Posted April 30, 2011 Share Posted April 30, 2011 My pick is yes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skav Posted April 30, 2011 Share Posted April 30, 2011 I loved watching Hamed back in the day but I'd have to say no. The reasons have already been stated ie he falls short of the elite, beat up fighters who were nowhere near the calibre of a Barrera or Morales, etc. But he did get the world watching the lighter weight divisions. Unfortunately, that loss to Barrera will now be the most memorable thing about Hamed's career, considering how he retired more or less after. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WelshDevilRob Posted May 1, 2011 Author Share Posted May 1, 2011 Get Your votes in! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davemurphy Posted May 2, 2011 Share Posted May 2, 2011 Wow, after I responded and then started looking back through the thread to see who the No vote was, I certainly didn't expect it to be Don Levy. I'm surprised!! Dave,I've always backed up Hamed's credentials,but considering I voted against Fenech's inclusion(kind of regret that now),I think it's only fair I remain consistent and omit Hamed from the Budweiser hall of fame. It's a good thing I'm not on the IBHOF board. Don- Yeah, we seem to get offbase a bit with the HOF in that it becomes less about the candidate himself than how he stacks up against others that preceded him. The IBHOF really stepped in sh*t when they put in some weak entries in the past (IMO the weakest was Ingemar Johanson) and there's no righting those wrongs after the fact. It's a hard thing to find that consistency, but if you thought you were wrong on Fenech, is it right to exclude Hamed and compound that mistake? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WelshDevilRob Posted May 6, 2011 Author Share Posted May 6, 2011 Think this one is heading to a 30 vote. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
londoner Posted May 6, 2011 Share Posted May 6, 2011 To be honest i don't mind if Naz gets in or not. He's not one i strongly agree with or disagree with but i'm glad there is a debate on the matter and it isn't a foregone conclusion as i don't think Naz is a first ballot HOFer either for the IBHOF or for our HOF. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
donlevy Posted May 6, 2011 Share Posted May 6, 2011 Don- Yeah, we seem to get offbase a bit with the HOF in that it becomes less about the candidate himself than how he stacks up against others that preceded him. The IBHOF really stepped in sh*t when they put in some weak entries in the past (IMO the weakest was Ingemar Johanson) and there's no righting those wrongs after the fact. It's a hard thing to find that consistency, but if you thought you were wrong on Fenech, is it right to exclude Hamed and compound that mistake? I would still vote against Hamed,Dave.The reason I had second thoughts about Fenech is because somebody mentioned the Nelson fight and it just got me thinking how big that would have been for Fenech's career had he been given the decision that he should have gotten.Hamed doesn't have that for his career. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iamasadlittleboy Posted May 6, 2011 Share Posted May 6, 2011 I went yes on the basis that he SHOULD have been one of very very few fighters to have held all of the "big 4" titles at once (had it not been for the orgs screwing him over), that alone for me is enough. *Note Only Bernard Hopkins has actually achieved that feat in over 20 years! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edsel77x Posted May 7, 2011 Share Posted May 7, 2011 I went yes on the basis that he SHOULD have been one of very very few fighters to have held all of the "big 4" titles at once (had it not been for the orgs screwing him over), that alone for me is enough. *Note Only Bernard Hopkins has actually achieved that feat in over 20 years! Winning those big four are more politics nowadays then anything else. I think that heart is a quality that should be heavily evaluated and one that should get you at least on a HOF ballot. A lot of people who know nothing of the sport know who Hamed, Gatti, and Rocky Balboa are. Ability is great but they all did something for boxing are were a part of history to be remember and revered. I give em that. I voted yes as I did with Gatti. I let my emotions get involved as its an emotional sport. How can you mention heart and soul with out emotion. That is what boxing is all about. Nobody sacrifices heart and soul just cause??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WelshDevilRob Posted May 12, 2011 Author Share Posted May 12, 2011 It certainly is hard to hold all four belts. Amazing that the WBO is now considered a main belt. I wonder how long before another breaks in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now