Hamed pre-95 could have/should have picked up 3 belts lower than feather, but did not get the best matches pre-Robinson Once he won at 126 he got carried out without with his own hype/perception of invincibility e.g. dumping his trainer, outburst at Colin Hart, wrong tactics for Barrera, too early retirement ect. If he had a better apprenticeship and a consistent career - Where would he had ended up? Fly to Light weight?
I think Hamed had everything bar the drive at the time he most needed it to succeed. The ability of the guy was a once in a life-time thing. The Hamed vs Barrera thing has been done to death so not gonna open that can of worms. With the right attitude who knows what he could have achieved. A truly special fighter!!!
Hamed had the 'corkscrew uppercut' though, never write a man of with that weapon in his armoury In all seriousness though, Hamed in his day was a beast of a fighter, but his legacy stinks nowadays if the truth be told. Hamed coulda shoulda woulda done this that & the other, but you are judged on your record. & Hameds record although good with some nice shiny belts never had a defining name on it, apart from the L. History is a ******* in boxing, & it makes no exception for Hamed, gifted as he was.
As much as I hate to say it I think is is almost spot on. Hamed is an idol of mine, I believe he had the tools to exceed pacman but he fell short for a variety of reasons. Judging him purely by his record now his biggest wins (in terms of names) are probably Sanchez, Kelley and Johnson. Not a right lot to write home about.
Some people would like to believe it was that simple, although i do think Barerra beats him regardless.