Why didn't Naseem Hamed ever fight properly again after Barrera?

[BoxingFanPhil]

Does anyone actually know?

I mean, for me he was a phenomenal fighter, unorthodox switch hitter with crazy corkscrew upper cuts and combinations - strange drunken style of balance that was I possible to time, excellent reflexes and a dangerous counter puncher, plus one of the biggest hitting feathers ever. I mean clubbing, sickening shots that he had no right to be throwing, like he was displacing a cannon.

When he split from Brendan Ingle things never seemed right (and the rumours abound that before the split Naz was ignoring his mentor and avoiding road work etc). Was he getting lazy? Was he in proper condition for Marco Antonio?

He seemed to fall in love with finding one punch, his defence didn't seem as sharp.

Or was it just natural decline? Or an increase in the ability of his opponents?

But why did he never come back? Heart the size of a pea?

I'd love to know more...

[fg2227]

Earned £40 million and couldn't be arsed.

[True_Hero]

Because other than possibly Kelly, Barrera was the only top boxer Naseem ever fought. He got his arse kicked and he didn't have the heart to continue.

Naseem was a 2nd tier boxer. End of story. He had a career fighting other 2nd and 3rd tier boxers and the only 1st tier opponents he had were Barrera and Kelly. He didn't have the heart to fight a real opponent again.

[Boxed Ears]

I think if you watched his career you'd know his heart clearly wasn't the size of a pea. That's fairly ridiculous. He had a pretty full career by that point, hit huge numbers, had huge success. I think he was also suffering terrible hand problems by then and decided it all led to retirement (with many mentions of coming back to the media when interviewed, for years).

[Mr Butt]

believed his own hype so not trained properly and as said already his hands were by that point in a bad way

[BoxingFanPhil]

Originally Posted by Boxed Ears

I think if you watched his career you'd know his heart clearly wasn't the size of a pea. That's fairly ridiculous. He had a pretty full career by that point, hit huge numbers, had huge success. I think he was also suffering terrible hand problems by then and decided it all led to retirement (with many mentions of coming back to the media when interviewed, for years).

I'm just asking the question. He got solidly out boxed by Barrera, promised a come back, could've shown himself against Morales and others at that time, but it just fizzled. His one fight after Barrera - was it Calvo? Was tired, lack lustre, stiff and uncharacteristically orthodox.

I can't get away from the idea that his move away from Brendan Ingle stole so much from him, and that his own arrogance made it so difficult for him to cope with defeat. Terrible shame. There's no doubting that Naz had his personal demons that matched his incredible gifts.

What is he doing now?

[Boxed Ears]

Originally Posted by BoxingFanPhil

I'm just asking the question. He got solidly out boxed by Barrera, promised a come back, could've shown himself against Morales and others at that time, but it just fizzled. His one fight after Barrera - was it Calvo? Was tired, lack lustre, stiff and uncharacteristically orthodox.

I can't get away from the idea that his move away from Brendan Ingle stole so much from him, and that his own arrogance made it so difficult for him to cope with defeat. Terrible shame. There's no doubting that Naz had his personal demons that matched his incredible gifts.

What is he doing now?

Posing as a turkey float in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in America for good money.

[BoxingFanPhil]

Originally Posted by Boxed Ears

Posing as a turkey float in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in America for good money.

There are boxers you like, admire and respect after they leave the ring, Naseem Hamed just isn't one of them.

[scribbs]

It was a combination of what's already been mentioned above. He could command huge paydays so the hunger drained from him eventually. Bad hands & believing his own hype & his family pandering to his ego helped erode his desire & Barrera schooled & mocked him which I think just shattered his confidence. He was dreadful against Calvo.

Go to youtube & search for Hamed v Barrera documentary - it will give you an insight to his camps mentallity at that point in time just before they fought.

[Addie]

Originally Posted by BoxingFanPhil

There are boxers you like, admire and respect after they leave the ring, Naseem Hamed just isn't one of them.

I admire and respect Naseem Hamed. Regardless of how it all ended, he was still an impressive world champion. He had a lot of charisma. Also, perhaps more importantly, he took defeat like a man. I've never once heard him offer excuses for why he lost to Barrera. He gave his opponent full credit and didn't dodge or duck any post-fight interviews. He did one for both American television and for the Brits back home. He was extremely gracious. Respect.

[scribbs]

Originally Posted by Addie

I admire and respect Naseem Hamed. Regardless of how it all ended, he was still an impressive world champion. He had a lot of charisma. Also, perhaps more importantly, he took defeat like a man. I've never once heard him offer excuses for why he lost to Barrera. He gave his opponent full credit and didn't dodge or duck any post-fight interviews. He did one for both American television and for the Brits back home. He was extremely gracious. Respect.

Yeah, he's from my county & I liked him also as a fighter. I thought he had the potential to be one if not the best fighter from UK we had seen early in his career & still achieved an impressive record. Like you stated he didn't dodge the bullet after he lost but he had problems mentally.

He started to believe he was above people. I know some guys who trained with him & also people who encountered him in the outside world as well, he could be very arrogant & bought into his self inflated ego at times, which may have affected the bearing on his career. He was exciting to watch though.

[Manassa]

I hate it when people confuse charisma with 'acting like a prick.'

Of course Hamed accepted defeat graciously. So did Dereck Chisora. It's because it's the only road left after being exposed.

[AlFrancis]

Originally Posted by fg2227

Earned £40 million and couldn't be arsed.

I would agree with this!

[scribbs]

Originally Posted by Manassa

Of course Hamed accepted defeat graciously. So did Dereck Chisora. It's because it's the only road left after being exposed.

One argument I could offer is Zab Judah against Tzsyu but that's splitting hairs really

[anj]

1. It was his hands. His hands were a mess after each fight according to Manny Steward.
2. He was already settled and sitting on a fat load of cash
3. The loss to Barrera perhaps took away his killer instinct. But let us not forget that his last opponent Calvo had a world class chin.
4. I also think it was the lack of support of the fans to be honest. Everyone loved to boo a guy who actually was extremely good for the sport of boxing.