Should Naseem Hamed be in the Hall of Fame?

Discussion in 'World Boxing Forum' started by Jetset78, Oct 25, 2007.


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  1. Jetset78

    Jetset78 Well-Known Member Full Member

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    Frank Warren belives so:

    "THE glorious career of Marco Antonio Barrera came to an end at the weekend after defeat at the hands of Manny Pacquiao.
    It seems certain Barrera will be inducted to Boxing?s Hall of Fame.

    But debate rages whether one of his most famous opponents should also be given the great accolade.

    Rumour has it that former world champ Naseem Hamed has been nominated to join the HOF - but some believe he was all hype and no substance.

    I had my ups and downs with Naz - but those who claim he wasn't much cop are talking rubbish.

    On his day he was one of the best featherweights of all time, and at his peak would have beaten all of the modern day champions - including Barrera and Erik Morales.

    He would have held his own against anyone, from any era.

    When Naz eventually lost to Barrera in 2001, he had long lost the plot. He stopped training properly and even then he only lost on points. If they had met a few years earlier, it would have been very different.

    I tried to match Hamed with Barrera before the Mexican's narrow points defeat at the hands of Junior Jones in 1997.

    Yet his manager Ricardo Maldonado wanted nothing to do with Hamed ? he was a good judge. In fact, he ran a mile - and I don't blame him.

    Between winning the title against Steve Robinson in 1995 and defeating Kevin Kelley in the States a couple of years later, Hamed was the best by a long, long way.

    He hit harder than anyone and his incredible reflexes and awkward style made him virtually untouchable. No one could lay a glove on him.

    Had it not been for boxing politics, he would have unified at featherweight and he still won WBO, IBF and WBC titles.

    Barry McGuigan made it to the Hall of Fame and great though his achievements were, Hamed won 36 of his 37 fights with 31 KOs.

    If Naz lived the life Barrera and Morales did during their careers I have little doubt he would have won world titles at three weights. It's frightening how good he could have been ? and heart-breaking that he wasted so much of his talent.

    He was only 28 when he retired - a time when most boxers are yet to peak.

    Promoting Hamed was often a roller-coaster with his enormous ego. But it was fun and rewarding, especially experiencing the atmosphere ringside."


    Personally I believe he should based on what he achieved in the ring and his natural gift for the sport. I didn't have much time for his arrogance outside the ring, but the guy could fight inside of it.

    Its just a shame he could get over his loss to Barrera and I feel he lost interest a long time before that. If he could have stayed focused I believe he could have beaten Barrera, Morales and even Pac. Then he would have been the legend that he said he was going to be.
     
    Jetset78, Oct 25, 2007
    Jetset78, Oct 25, 2007
    #1
  2. PH|LLA

    PH|LLA VIP Member Full Member

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    of course he should get in the HOF
     
    PH|LLA, Oct 25, 2007
    PH|LLA, Oct 25, 2007
    #2
  3. kg0208

    kg0208 Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Based on who's in there....yes.

    If the IBHOF was as stringent as other sports? Nope.
     
    kg0208, Oct 25, 2007
    kg0208, Oct 25, 2007
    #3
  4. Dantes

    Dantes ESB Magnate Full Member

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    The comment Frank made about Naz not being at the top of his game when he fought Barrera is irrevelant. Your mental game is just as/ if not more important when it comes to fighting at the elite level. Sure Naz had a great punch and unorthodox movement, but he was mentally weak, and did not have the courage to call upon when he finally met a fighter he couldn't gain an edge over with his freakish ability.

    It's when you meet your match and things are evened-out, that you get to see how much heart you've really got....Naz came up short.
     
    Dantes, Oct 25, 2007
    Dantes, Oct 25, 2007
    #4
  5. Carlos Primera

    Carlos Primera Boxing Addict Full Member

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    i absolutely abhor hamed, but he defnitely deserves to go into the hall of fame. credentials he' got them, skills he he had them, entertainment value he had lots of it. ****, if their considering gatti a spot in the HOF, hamed certinly deserves a spot to.
     
    Carlos Primera, Oct 25, 2007
    Carlos Primera, Oct 25, 2007
    #5
  6. Pimp C

    Pimp C Too Much Motion Full Member

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    Yes
     
    Pimp C, Oct 25, 2007
    Pimp C, Oct 25, 2007
    #6
  7. brooklyn1550

    brooklyn1550 Roberto Duran Full Member

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    Yes
     
    brooklyn1550, Oct 25, 2007
    brooklyn1550, Oct 25, 2007
    #7
  8. divac

    divac Loyal Member Full Member

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    Having Hamed get in the HOF would be just as bad as Barry McGuigan having been enshrined!

    Popular he was, but as far as ring skills and resume, Hamed is far away from a HOF'er.
     
    divac, Oct 25, 2007
    divac, Oct 25, 2007
    #8
  9. SugarShane_24

    SugarShane_24 ESB good-looking member Full Member

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    Having Mcguigan is already an error for the HOF. His stay on top is too brief to warrant an enshrinement. Hamed had a much longer stay and better resume, but still isn't enough. Had he came back and beat another top feather and won and defended a title at 130 then he deserves serious recognition. Based on his record right now, he doesn't deserve it.
     
    SugarShane_24, Oct 25, 2007
    SugarShane_24, Oct 25, 2007
    #9
  10. thesandman

    thesandman Boxing Addict Full Member

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    If Gatti is even thought about, then Hamed should walk it in, plain and simple.
     
    thesandman, Oct 25, 2007
    thesandman, Oct 25, 2007
    #10
  11. divac

    divac Loyal Member Full Member

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    Hamed would to have at least competed against the best of his weight class with the peers of his era.
    He just did'nt do that, and because of his name he had the advantage of being able to fight anyone he wished.

    He really only fought one upper tier fighter and got dismantled as if he were an amatuer.
    He got so thoroughly dismantled by Barrera, that he fell off the face of the earth.

    Absolutely not he's not a HOF'er.
     
    divac, Oct 25, 2007
    divac, Oct 25, 2007
    #11
  12. Jose FM

    Jose FM Well-Known Member Full Member

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    Nope. I mean seriously who did he beat?
     
    Jose FM, Oct 26, 2007
    Jose FM, Oct 26, 2007
    #12
  13. Circa

    Circa Skate And Destroy Full Member

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    no
     
    Circa, Oct 26, 2007
    Circa, Oct 26, 2007
    #13
  14. Dano

    Dano ATG Beltholder Full Member

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    Augie Sanchez.....:lol:
     
    Dano, Oct 26, 2007
    Dano, Oct 26, 2007
    #14
  15. pejevan

    pejevan inmate No. 1363917 Full Member

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    Should JMM also be included in the HOF? H e is apparentlyvery talented yet has wasted that talent fighting bums.

    He is near the end of his career. He may only have 2 or 3 more fights then retirement time. He fought MAB when MAB was already past his prime.

    Because if JMM is a sure HOF,then I do not see any reason why Hamed should not.
     
    pejevan, Oct 26, 2007
    pejevan, Oct 26, 2007
    #15
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