Why did Prince Naseem Hamed retire?

Its the perfect statements. Fighters can't get credit for what they could have done. They didn't do it, so that isn't their legacy.

Hamed had a very good career, but thats it.

And those saying he'd have beaten Barrera, guaranteed if he was in his 'Prime'? Sorry. Barrera has the W, and thats all history will remember. Naz had his chance to beat an ATG, and he got thumped.

 

Apparently he was having trouble with his hands even before the Barrera fight. I was gonna start a thread on this story yesterday but 3 threads in the day prior would make me come across as some sort of mentalist. Here it is for those interested:

http://www.secondsout.com/columns/clive-bernath/naz-finally-reveals-reason-for-retiring

:good

 

We're just playing amateur psychologist, but I think Hamed may have quit not out of having his bubble burst as such, but more that he couldn't face the jeers of the world. He made a lot of people hate him with all his mouth and they were all poised to gloat over his fall from grace. I think that's why he not only quit boxing but disappeared from public view.

 

I agree with Jeff Thomas, I think Steve Robinson was probably his peak too. Thereafter you could see a gradual decline with anyone who stuck around long enough.

Trouble was, not many did stick around...

 

that is very true

 

Hamed deserves praise for what he brought to boxing. Especially British boxing, it's not often you get someone who gets not only casual sports fans but also the general public interested. Eubank and Benn did it, Hamed did it, Hatton got there in the end.. I just hope the next one comes along soon

 

he had the greatest raw talent man

 

I think the thing with Hamed was, by the time Barrerra got to him, he was already finished, skills had already detoriated, lost loads of hunger for the sport, had been on top for 5 years, he was on his way out anyway and Barrerra gave him that nudge, im glad he didnt make a comeback, he would have ended up like RJJ with all his reflexes gone and easier to hit. Same with Tyson/Holyfield.
Hamed fits into that category with RJJ and Tyson,once their superman skills are gone their just easily beatable, i believe mayweather may go the same way if/when he is beatenorwhen he slows down

 

He did.. although his performance generated some displeasure from the crowd

 

at only 28?

 

Prince Naseem Hamed was not shot at 28, phsyically.

He just became too much a Primadonna, and did'nt have the work ethic during trainining.

All geniuses, have a dark side to their personality.

Prince Naseem Hamed was a Genius.