23 year-old 'Prince' Naseem Hamed

Discussion in 'World Boxing Forum' started by ElCep, Feb 20, 2013.


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  1. ElCep

    ElCep Guest

    At age 23, Naseem Hamed had:-

    Beaten three undefeated contenders, a South American champion, a Mexican champion, a British & Commonwealth Champion, two European champions, and five world title holders.

    Hamed won the European and WBC international belts at bantamweight/super-bantamweight, won the WBO featherweight title and defended it successfully on ten occasions. He'd unified the WBO & IBF belts, stopped 28 out of 29 opponents, was undefeated, had become a multimillionaire and headlined Madison Square Garden in a FOTY candidate.

    1997 was the final year of "peak" Hamed; his hand-speed, reflexes, motivation and power.

    By 2001 he was a diminished force.
     
    ElCep, Feb 20, 2013
    ElCep, Feb 20, 2013
    #1
  2. Boxing Gloves

    Boxing Gloves Boxing Addict Full Member

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    I agree
     
    Boxing Gloves, Feb 20, 2013
    Boxing Gloves, Feb 20, 2013
    #2
  3. SUPER TROJAN

    SUPER TROJAN Well-Known Member Full Member

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    He was a great boxer. Very entertaining.
     
    SUPER TROJAN, Feb 20, 2013
    SUPER TROJAN, Feb 20, 2013
    #3
  4. KidDynamite

    KidDynamite Boxing Addict banned Full Member

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    Nas squandered his talent

    Although the massive inflammation in his hands after every fight didn't help either
     
    KidDynamite, Feb 20, 2013
    KidDynamite, Feb 20, 2013
    #4
  5. Uncle Rico

    Uncle Rico Loyal Member Full Member

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    One of those flash-in-the-pan type fighters with a very short, powerful peak. Became so flat-footed in the latter days and too reliant on his power.
     
    Uncle Rico, Feb 20, 2013
    Uncle Rico, Feb 20, 2013
    #5
  6. miniq

    miniq FURY COMETH 2026 Full Member

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    miniq, Feb 20, 2013
    miniq, Feb 20, 2013
    #6
  7. irishny

    irishny Obsessed with Boxing banned

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    I always wondered how far he could have gone,if he had kept himself dedicated and kept going.

    He was pretty much,only 26 when he retired.

    Heard a recent interview with him and he said the reason he retired was because of his hands. He said he hit too hard for the size that they were,and he was constasntly suffering from breakages and general inflammation.
     
    irishny, Feb 20, 2013
    irishny, Feb 20, 2013
    #7
  8. ElCep

    ElCep Guest

    I've been revisiting his career, and you are right. It's actually quite surprising how quickly he diminished and how obvious it is. It's difficult to quantify because he wasn't in any wars, didn't have many fights, and was still at a young age, so you have to attribute his decline to a mixture of injuries and declining motivation. I think "flash-in-the-plan" is a bit harsh though, he was 'the man' for half a decade basically.
     
    ElCep, Feb 20, 2013
    ElCep, Feb 20, 2013
    #8
  9. SugarShane_24

    SugarShane_24 ESB good-looking member Full Member

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    I want to believe him, but his timing is not consistent with his reasoning. Im sure he didnt break his hand against Barrera and Calvo.

    He's probably wishing he took a page in Floyds handbook and took longer time between fights to heal his hands better.
     
    SugarShane_24, Feb 20, 2013
    SugarShane_24, Feb 20, 2013
    #9
  10. SugarShane_24

    SugarShane_24 ESB good-looking member Full Member

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    I think the main problem is that he let the hype get in his head early.

    He hasn't beaten any ATG yet acted like he's one. When he had the talent to be one.
     
    SugarShane_24, Feb 20, 2013
    SugarShane_24, Feb 20, 2013
    #10
  11. elchivito

    elchivito master betty Full Member

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    Yep. He really was a featherweight fighting in a bantamweights body. His peak was below 126. Not sure how he'd do with a 122 Barrera or other killers in their prime like Luisito Espinoza, Junior Jones, Johnny Tapia, or Cobrita Gonzales.
     
    elchivito, Feb 20, 2013
    elchivito, Feb 20, 2013
    #11
  12. irishny

    irishny Obsessed with Boxing banned

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    Well he handled Cesar Soto and Augie Sanchez pretty easy who had wins over Espinoza,and he was still champ when Soto beat him.

    Whatever the truth, Hamed brought an excitement and buzz to boxing that is sorely needed today.

    He was brash, but at least he was funny and could put on a show.

    Guys like Broner just seemed to be trying too hard.
     
    irishny, Feb 20, 2013
    irishny, Feb 20, 2013
    #12
  13. KidDynamite

    KidDynamite Boxing Addict banned Full Member

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    Agreed but he's still one of those "what could've been" cases
     
    KidDynamite, Feb 20, 2013
    KidDynamite, Feb 20, 2013
    #13
  14. Kid Cubano

    Kid Cubano Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Love him or hate him.
    But he was definitely fun to watch.
     
    Kid Cubano, Feb 20, 2013
    Kid Cubano, Feb 20, 2013
    #14
  15. SugarShane_24

    SugarShane_24 ESB good-looking member Full Member

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    Well Hamed had charisma. Same as Pacquiao. It's natural for them.

    Other guys have to package themselves in ways to convince the public.
     
    SugarShane_24, Feb 20, 2013
    SugarShane_24, Feb 20, 2013
    #15
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