No actually if he fought in 'black and white' people would look at him as a gimmick and a joke with his poor technique and unsweet habits. He's actually fortunate he fought in the MTV era because his charisma and personality seems to be intertwined with his fightgame when people think about him. Credit to Hamed he revolutionised the lighter weights in terms of them getting attention, with his character and mule punch he had for him, but take away that magnetism he had and he's not looked at the same. Was always a schooling waiting to happen.
Frank Warren has come out on record and said when Naz was in his pomp, Morales and Barrera wanted **** all to do with him. Towards the end, it is well known Naz never trained properly, didn't take the game seriously and that is shown more than ever in the Little Prince, Big Fight documentary.
Frank can say whatever he wants. Morales, Barrera and even Marquez would beat Hamed everyday of the week and twice on sunday. They're just on a different level to him in terms of boxing acumen. Erik and Marco especially are all wrong for him. He would probabily have a better chance of maybe landing a hail mary on Morales as El Terrible fought with more emotion and less discipline than Barrera, but all things being even they both box the snot off him.
Naz was a one-off. We won't see the likes of him again. Definitely a wasted talent. That wasn't a peak Naz against Barrera, worse thing he ever did was leave Ingle. Ingle was perfect for him.
Frank's speaking in terms of natural talent and ability. In which case he's right. Naz was one of a kind. Too bad he was ignorant of the qualities he possessed. A major under-achiever.
Exactly Naseem became very ignorant and arrogant which lead to his departure! I recall a time when he stated that he will be undefeated and be the greatest ever..! I miss the Prime Naz..
Naz = Great showman, good for boxing, an absolute ***** but had all the tools to be an attraction. Nowhere near an ATG, despite what some would like to think, his style was never going to be one. A fine guy to watch and did a lot for the sport, fair play. But let's not get carried away.
agree with ya.:good Lotta oldies on this board, Thank God in track athletics they invented the clock-watch or they'd be saying Jesse Owens is faster than Usain Bolt.