The lower divisions are indebted to Prince Naseem Hamed, he brought the multi million dollar pays days to the lower divisions. His brash manner, his cockiness, was not to everyones liking, but we all loved to watch him. Im sure theres a Prince fan in all of us, even though we may not want to admit it. Everyone has their opinion on Naseem Hamed, but theres no denying , in his own words he was "damn good". Ive read numerous times how he was found out and he was a hype job etc... i personally think thats rubbish. We overlook the fact he went up against Marco Antonio Barrera, a mexican legend. Yes i agree he didnt have a good fight... but is it very possible he had an off night? I mean, im sure many fighters have off nights... Naseem didnt have many, maybe that was one? But to say he was a hype job is unjustified, he cleaned up the featherweight division and beat .... beat up should i say some very good fighters. I personally think a boxer should be rated on how much he is respected amonts his colleagues or peers. I remember a while ago i saw an interview on Malignaggi, he was explaining how he got into boxing and the admiration and respect he had for The Prince was what attracted him to boxing and he's not the only one.. theres many more. I became a boxing fan watching Naseem Hamed, he brought million dollar pay days to the lower divisions, he brought excitement to the lower divisions, knockout power not seen in those divisions before. Has anyone seen the kevin kelly fight... if not please do, I think thats the most excited George Foreman i have ever heard, even good old Larry Merchant got in on the act.... as George Foreman said "The Prince is for real". Im not saying he's a great but he was damn good and unfortunately walked out prematurely whatever his reasons may be, but we shouldnt bad mouth him for that, whilst he was around, boxing was more the richer.
Naseem did for lower weight classes what calzaghe did for super middle weight. Let's get real. He was entertaining as hell, but no casual boxing fan knew who this guy was, or does now.
I think Hamed is responsible for the elaborate entrances to, Eubank was good but Naz was off the scale when it come to showmanship. Not just in Britain either, i think American fighters caught on to. Andre Ward uses an upjab that he calls the saw jab, he says its something he saw Naseem Hamed do, true story. Malignaggi loved Hamed's showmanship.
:roflYou a dumb mother****er! Go learn about the sport of boxing and then come and post something smart
He explained in a recent interview that his hands were all messed up. He said that towards the end of his career his gloves had to be cut off after a fight cause they swelled up like balloons.
im sure every casual boxing fan has heard of the prince. he showed class in the ring and a lack of it outside the ring truly amazing