Prince Naseem Tears Into Johnny Nelson, Accuses Him of ‘Clout Chasing’

[Ruthless-RKO]

Prince Naseem Tears Into Johnny Nelson, Accuses Him of ‘Clout Chasing’

Prince Naseem Hamed accused Johnny Nelson of “clout chasing” as he questioned both his motives and his career.

The Sheffield icon did not hold back when addressing Nelson, claiming the longtime pundit has been using his name for attention rather than offering genuine analysis.

“Johnny wants publicity off my name. What’s that word they use? Clickbait or something. Living vicariously through someone else. Clout chasing. He’s constantly,” Hamed said.

The comments went further, with Hamed suggesting the situation had deeper roots stretching back to their time around the same gym.

“And it’s got nothing to do what he feels about Brendan. But you know what? I always realized afterwards when I analyzed Johnny, there was only ever one snake in that gym.”

Personal attack

Hamed dismissed any suggestion that Nelson had previously supported him before turning directly to Nelson’s past.

Speaking during an exchange with Simon Jordan on talkSPORT, Hamed reacted to a suggestion that Nelson had once spoken highly of him.

“But he loved you. I remember doing a front with him one day where he spoke so highly—”

Hamed cut in immediately.

“No, no. Let me tell you about Johnny. Johnny was fright—as then he was so frightened of his own shadow, Johnny.”

The former featherweight champion then claimed he personally pushed for Nelson to be given opportunities when others would not.

Ingle Gym

Nelson and Hamed both trained at Sheffield’s world-famous Ingle Gym during its peak in the 1990s, but Nelson struggled early in his career before eventually becoming a WBO cruiserweight champion, often labeled “boring” by fans and media.

Hamed then went further, claiming Nelson’s career only progressed because of his own intervention.

“It’s unbelievable of over-achiever in boxing what Johnny did because, firstly, Johnny needs to realize the truth about him and his career. And that is, without me coming from the same gym as him and opening the doors, I begged allegedly.”


Hamed said he requested Nelson be placed on his own undercards after multiple opponents withdrew.

“I said, ‘Frank, please put him on my undercard. There’s been 13 opponents that have pulled out. He can’t get a fight.’”

According to Hamed, the response he received at the time was far from encouraging.

“allegedly said to me, ‘Listen, Naz. If he was fighting in my own backyard, I’d draw the curtains.’ That’s his exact words.”

Career questioned

Hamed closed by taking aim at Nelson’s identity in the sport, questioning whether the former cruiserweight ever lived up to the billing attached to him.

“Johnny Nelson was supposed to be called—he was supposed to be the entertainer. That was his ring—that was his fight name. Who did he ever entertain?”

The remarks mark a rare public outburst from Hamed, who has largely stayed out of the spotlight in recent years.

Nelson, who is now a prominent voice in British boxing coverage, has not yet responded.

Whether he responds now becomes the next step, with Hamed’s comments dragging a past gym relationship back into the open.

[Ruthless-RKO]

[keithmoonhangover]

Personally, I thought Naz spoke a lot of sense.

[Nightmare Roy]

Thought these two were good mates?

[CaptainSpacerod]

Personally, I thought Naz spoke a lot of sense.

Not about Conor Benn he didn’t

[keithmoonhangover]

Personally, I thought Naz spoke a lot of sense.

Not about Conor Benn he didn’t

What did he say?

[MasterG]

Personally, I thought Naz spoke a lot of sense.

Not about Conor Benn he didn’t

What did he say?

Watch the whole podcast

[MasterG]

Personally, I thought Naz spoke a lot of sense.

I agree that Naz said Johnny was an over achiever. And I can imagine it was on the back of Naz Johnny got a world title shot.

I never rated Nelson as a boxer he was like Glenn McCrory, damn lucky

[CaptainSpacerod]

Personally, I thought Naz spoke a lot of sense.

Not about Conor Benn he didn’t

What did he say?

Regarding his drug test words to the effect of “I like the kid, I like his dad, he was out of the sport for so long but never once wavered in his stance so he must be innocent”

I like Naz, met him a couple of times in his heyday and he was an absolute gentleman, so I’ve always got time to listen to what he has to say but he came across in this interview as someone who doesn’t really follow the sport all that closely

[Ruthless-RKO]

He said that 70% of boxers are on it

[keithmoonhangover]

Not about Conor Benn he didn’t

What did he say?

never once wavered in his stance so he must be innocent”

If he believes he's innocent, he would say that.

[Coco]

It is how boxing normally works, you get a star in the gym and other fighters from that gym get more opportunities on the back of that, especially if they sell tickets.
And often if some of those fighters are good, but don't sell tickets, it doesn't matter as the bill is already paid for.
Same happened in Manchester.

[SeanBrennan]

Ryan Rhodes has been very measured about it on BKM

[JC]

If they were going to ask him about Johnny Nelson they should have let him finish what he wanted to say.

[joshj909]

He said that 70% of boxers are on it

Probably true but in that case, you should be praising the 30%, not defending the 70%. If it isn't indicated through various signs or proven with a failed test, you should assume they're in the 30%.

If they were going to ask him about Johnny Nelson they should have let him finish what he wanted to say.

Talksport only do that when they like what you're saying.

[JamesPhilips]

Ryan Rhodes has been very measured about it on BKM

What did he say?

[Controversial]

[Frostieballs]

He said that 70% of boxers are on it

It was Spencer Oliver that said that.

Naz wasn’t so sure about the claim.

[MightyWarrior]

I’m pretty sure myself that Naz was never on the gear. That would make him quite unusual, no? compared to what the general consensus is about boxers using.

Because of how he views himself: puritanical Muslim, god given talent etc …

I think the harsh words about Johnny come from, I would guess, Johnny has criticised him over the way he treated Brendan, and narcissist that he is - I think even nas feels guilt deep down about that and Johnny has hit a sore point.

Good to see someone tell Simon Jordan to shut the f*ck up _ really what does the plum know about boxing ( not much at all ) ? Nas calls him out there doesn’t he

[big lennox]

Naz's comments made me feel sad. First, Johnny is one of life's good guys - like Brendan, he is motivated by helping people.

Second, he thought a very tough competitor ( Carl Thompson) to win the World title and then defended that title 14 times. That's a stellar career in anyone's books. He also learnt his trade sparring top competition in Europe - that shows inner steel.

Third, I wish Naz could look back and celebrate the good times he had at the Ingle gym rather than dwell on the fallout.

Yes, the fallout was a part of the story, but surely the main part of the story was the exceptionally good times between age 7, when he joined, all the way to the World title and a bit beyond; and the fun with great friends along the way. That's worth celebrating.

[JC]

Naz's comments made me feel sad. First, Johnny is one of life's good guys - like Brendan, he is motivated by helping people.

Second, he thought a very tough competitor ( Carl Thompson) to win the World title and then defended that title 14 times. That's a stellar career in anyone's books. He also learnt his trade sparring top competition in Europe - that shows inner steel.

Third, I wish Naz could look back and celebrate the good times he had at the Ingle gym rather than dwell on the fallout.

Yes, the fallout was a part of the story, but surely the main part of the story was the exceptionally good times between age 7, when he joined, all the way to the World title and a bit beyond; and the fun with great friends along the way. That's worth celebrating.

All stirred up by what looked like a very mediocre film.

[Frostieballs]

Naz's comments made me feel sad. First, Johnny is one of life's good guys - like Brendan, he is motivated by helping people.

Second, he thought a very tough competitor ( Carl Thompson) to win the World title and then defended that title 14 times. That's a stellar career in anyone's books. He also learnt his trade sparring top competition in Europe - that shows inner steel.

Third, I wish Naz could look back and celebrate the good times he had at the Ingle gym rather than dwell on the fallout.

Yes, the fallout was a part of the story, but surely the main part of the story was the exceptionally good times between age 7, when he joined, all the way to the World title and a bit beyond; and the fun with great friends along the way. That's worth celebrating.

All stirred up by what looked like a very mediocre film.

Worst film I history. See separate thread!

[Frostieballs]

I’m pretty sure myself that Naz was never on the gear. That would make him quite unusual, no? compared to what the general consensus is about boxers using.

Because of how he views himself: puritanical Muslim, god given talent etc …

I think the harsh words about Johnny come from, I would guess, Johnny has criticised him over the way he treated Brendan, and narcissist that he is - I think even nas feels guilt deep down about that and Johnny has hit a sore point.

Good to see someone tell Simon Jordan to shut the f*ck up _ really what does the plum know about boxing ( not much at all ) ? Nas calls him out there doesn’t he

I’m no fan of Simon Jordan, but he does know his boxing. Definitely enough to host a podcast.

In truth, I felt it was Naz who came across as if he isn’t in touch with the current sport.

And his ‘stick to football’ was an easy/lazy retort that got boring very quickly.

[rhino222]

Naz, as a man and an individual, comes across as a complete tool

[SeanBrennan]

Ryan Rhodes has been very measured about it on BKM

What did he say?

Just that they all benefitted from Naz’s presence and profile but not slagging Johnny or any one off. He said he was in that gym 22 years but stayed friends when he left. I met Ryan years ago at Sheffield Icerink for the bonfire celebrations when his girls were younger, he was really kind and stopped for photos even though he was with his family (I did apologise for interrupting him)