Why did Prince Naseem Hamed retire?

Ok, i could live with that statement. He's got some serious competition for ATG Featherweight though!

 

He always had motivation problems. I remember reading an interview in a running magazine talking about how he incorporated roadwork into his training, the variations etc.. most of article was about how much Naz hated it. There was one quote in particular where he asked why a milllionaire would drag himself out of bed at 5:30 am to do something he hates.

As Hoya said "Without questioning an honest and open Naseem Hamed it is hard to say" but I think that he got richer, and especially became a father he lost his desire to fight - hence not taking up the rematch clause.
He still trained and was at a very high level (if a little too reliant on big KO's) when he fought Barrera. He could have been better, but Barrera really seemed to have the answer to Hameds style and I think all he could have done was narrow the points margin a little more.

Here's a clip of Hamed talking about the formula for becoming great: Beating multiple champs at multiple weights and retiring undefeated. Notice how he dwells on not being beaten? Maybe this promise to himself was all that kept him going as long as he did and when his defeat ruined that he ran out of reasons to make himself continue doing something he didn't have the fire for anymore.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M5aBQrJJ5kU&feature=related

 

Naz was a very exciting fighter in his prime, he shouldn't have retired. Naz Vs. Kevin Kelly was awesome, very exciting.

 

Mate, he could be in the best shape of his life, but if he was mentally in decline it means nothing.Your actually agreeing with my original post reply to you now......

 

Seems like he lost the hunger and didn't train as hard once he'd made enough money.

 

Prince Naseem Hamed was bigger than Hatton, Lewis and Calzaghe put together.

For share magnitude, and for what he did for the sport.

 

Once Naz lost his 0 he was always gonna go. So much of his game depended on that air of invincibility, that confidence. Once that got broken so did he.

 

Correct answer actually

 

I'm biased here since I'm a huge Lewis fan and not a fan of Hamed so I'm going to have to say no. He brought flash, cockiness and an unorthodox style, that's it. Had he continued on his journey for a few more years, beaten the real great fighters out there, which I believe he could have, I'd agree with you.

 

Interesting article HOYA-UK well done mate.

Couldn't be arsed with training and couldn't handle a loss mentally. Fantastic career though.

The scores in the Barrera fight included a point took off MAB for the turnbuckle smash didn't they? so not as close as suggested.

 

I think he retired cause :

1. he built up the fight so much, the, Alah is great and will want me to win patter, and then got pumped
2. As well as making a complete of himself along the way, ****in attitude was rotten for that fight. I remember watching the build up to the fight, when he brought in a couple of mexican guys to spar him, and they both knocked his **** in
3. Barrera man raped him, (to think of a better way to put it:nut)
4. Barrera made a complete tit of him by giving him a UFC mashing with the corner post, ****in loved that
5. Cause Naz is nothing but a cocky little upstart, who wasnt as good as he thought he was, simple eh:hi::hi:

 

I'd easily agree that in the UK Naz did more, the UK fans never did take to Lewis too well, they majority wanted Bruno to beat him as I recall:huh

But worldwide I'd say Lewis, though I wouldn't dispute it too hard, not much in it. It was an era of the heavyweights with Tyson/Holyfield and Bowe generating interest so that division generally drew more attention than any other and assisted Lewis.

They both achieved the same thing all great British boxers achieve. Hatered and a loathing from the States with yanks praying for them to get ktfo. I've never understood that..