Revisiting Kevin Kelly v Naseem Hamed

Following the 'heavy punchers' thread I thought I'd blow the dust off this one again.

Immediate thoughts were 'how did Hamed escape defeat'? It really was a great escape fight, Kelly looked like he was hurting Hamed ever time it hit him - and particularly successful snapping his head back with that fierce jab.

Writing was on the wall right there - Hamed comprehensively out boxed, his defence full of holes. It was like Hamed had never experienced these reflexes, this type of pedigree.

Kelly just seemed to grow more anxious/reckless having scored three knock downs.

At the end of the fight Hamed understandably jubilant at his escape - probably relief the dominant emotion - he went over to Kelly (who he'd been baiting remorselessly before the fight and with his extravagant ring walk which kept Kelly waiting) and told him that he was the best he'd ever boxed, and added 'and I'm the best you ever boxed' (probably more for his own pride). It wasn't acknowledged at all by Kelly who simply answered '...we do this again? We do this again?' repeatedly.

Kelly knew that he'd let Hamed off the hook and that he could've/should've finished the job. No way on earth that Hamed was going to rematch.

Hamed claimed in his interview that Kelly had told him he was the best he ever fought (which was rubbish - the dialogue between the fighters was caught on camera). I'm pretty sure that Kevin Kelly didn't feel that way.

Hamed also made an empty speech about having come to excite people and having the heart of a lion. He just looked shaken to me.

My last observation is the ironic situation of a British fighter in New York being so brash and over the top that even American boxing was shaking it's head. Not par for the course.

Topsyturvey fight and well worth watching in full again.

 

I make no comments on Hagler/Hearns at all.

I can see how Kelly had no leverage to get a rematch - Hamed was the champ and he defended his belt with a knock out, as you say - you don't put someone down three times by accident.

I didn't see Hamed 'walking down' Kelly. He wasn't that type of fighter - Hamed was a counter puncher in his natural form. One of the knock downs was a straight right hand (number 2) coming forward - like a flash knock down. The knock out was a short left hand counter as Kelly was coming on to him.

I honestly think that Hamed couldn't get out of there quick enough after he got away with it. He just wanted to get on the plane back to Yorkshire - said something to the effect himself in the post match interview.

No way Hamed was going to rematch Kelly - it was a hiding to nothing. HBO commentators remarked that Kelly had earned his biggest purse against Hamed, and largely because of the drama that Hamed brought. So it wouldn't be a financial draw for Naz, Hamed had the title - so nothing to achieve, he'd already beaten him, and finally Kelly had done quite enough to worry him and put him off.

Not saying that Hamed 'ducked' him per se, but a rematch would have made no sense for Hamed, and it's pretty clear that Kelly would've loved another go.

It may be biased - but it's honestly my take.

 

...by the way, if Hamed had decided to go again, just because it would make a great fight - I'd have a lot more respect for Hamed.