Naseem Hamed

[jwinhawk1]

So how do Brits really think of him? I was a huge fan but most American fans I talk to couldn't stand him. Just interested in opinions

[cormack]

Annoying prat

Hamed that is !

[jamesmcdonnell]

One of the most exciting fighters from the British Isles, maybe even the most exciting, brought interest and glamour to the lower weights that hadn't been seen in decades.

Acted like a right Helmet, and probably was one too.

[Noxy]

Outrageously talented, made boxing look easy. When I look back at that time, I can’t help remembering his posse. The brat pack I think they called themselves. Always prancing around at shows, devoid of style or class. In fairness, though, that’s how it looked on TV. Maybe they were actually alright.

Another thing about Naz, he sorted jobs out for his family. I think that’s cool. Apparently he also insisted Nelson box on his shows when Johnny was out in the cold. That’s also cool. Loyalty.

[Coco]

One of the best and most talented fighters Britain has ever produced and also one of the most exciting.
Peaked early, huge puncher, clever with his money too, also made sure his family were well looked after.

[polecateddy]

A bit more humble in chubby retirement. He seems a bit silly looking back now. I think the Medina and Barrera fights, and the number of others such as the Kevin Kelly match up probably show that against an absolute top liner the lack of true technical skills do show up a bit. But he was really great against the second tier fighters with chinks in their armour.

[My Name Is Earl]

Going to a Hamed fight, was the first time i can remember groups of women at a big fight night. Not one or two out with their blokes, but gaggles of birds making a night of it, out on the lash. That was the impact he had.
He did have a lot of support but it's safe to say a large percentage of viewers tuned in to see him come unstuck...ala Eubank.

Chuffed when MAB did the business on him.

[Nightmare Roy]

Good fighter complete cock end

[littlepug]

Cocky, big puncher, unorthodox but what he did he did very well and was a natural entertainer which all added up to him being a box office hit, all the gyms flooded with lads wanting to be the next Naz.

[ALI]

Great fighter, done wonders for not only British boxing but for the sport globally, he was a huge draw. I was in my mid teens when he came on the scene, and he certainly helped draw me into the sport.

He was a cocky arrogant twat though, and not quite as good as some would make out. He exceled at British, European and fringe world level, but not quite so at elite level, and he did not seem to have a strong desire to take on all commers at elite level. He eventually fought Barrera, choosing him over Morales as he thought Barrera had the easier style, but he lost fair and square to Barrera, the Mexican completely switched up his game that night to show Hamed a patient, reserved, counter punching approach, over his usual come forward attacking style. Brilliant from Barrera. He would have lost to Morales, Marquez, and Floyd, had they fought, and had he stayed around just a little longer, Pacquiao would have tore through him. Hamed was a great fighter, and will always be a British boxing legend, but he was not at the same level as the four all time greats i have noted here.

[coneye]

Great for british boxing , but was a better entertainer than he was boxer, has the step up in class shown , although when i see him now i dont think great entertainer , i think big headed cocky pratt,,, then again i,ve nevr met him so he migh tv be a nice guy

[ALI]

Great for british boxing , but was a better entertainer than he was boxer, has the step up in class shown , although when i see him now i dont think great entertainer , i think big headed cocky pratt,,, then again i,ve nevr met him so he migh tv be a nice guy

Yes i agree, in hindsight his antics were that of a pratt, though at the time, as a teenager, i was quite impressed by his attitude.

Also in hindsight, his religous ranting, especially post fights, does not look so good now, given all that has gone wrong in the world since 9/11. I think it was said at the time, that 9/11 played a part in his decision to retire, bit i dont recall all the ins and outs of that story.

[bennie]

I loved it when Naz fought from the orthodox stance (good jab, big right hands, big left hooks) but then he spoiled his good work by switching southpaw and lunging and missing and generally looking awful. I am of the opinion that all switch-hitters should be drowned at birth.

[TopGun]

Favorite ever boxer......end of. Crying shame he didnt get more positive attention. If he was American he would be treated like a God.

[bigjack]

Top fighter,knobhead outside the ring.

[revporl]

Oh he was a brilliant entertainer. Exciting, quite chaotic style, all wrong in a way but that made him better to watch.

People did want to see him come a cropper though! I think he's one of those miss them when they're gone kind of characters.

What happened at the end though? One comeback fight after MAB then quit, I've not seen that fight but was it poor?

[polecateddy]

He was quite lucky to only serve 4 months in jail out of a 15 month sentence. If his previous driving convictions had been disclosed at sentencing he probably would have been inside a couple of years.

[margaret thatcher]

An inspirational figure, shows that even if you're a giant eared midget you can be a confident and brash showstopper

[Webbo911]

Oh he was a brilliant entertainer. Exciting, quite chaotic style, all wrong in a way but that made him better to watch.

People did want to see him come a cropper though! I think he's one of those miss them when they're gone kind of characters.

What happened at the end though? One comeback fight after MAB then quit, I've not seen that fight but was it poor?

Yep, so was Naz that night.

Calvo for the European was it?

His timing seemed well off, not sure if it was the lay off or that he'd been on the slide for quite some time before that.

[banjo]

Loved him in the 90's I was just a lad then myself but these days I look back and realise he was an absolute nob. I always judge blokes on whether or not I'd be happy with them dating a female relative of mine and Naz fails this test with distinction.

[jameswilson]

People are right that if he was American he’d have been worshiped. Americans love their own acting like wankers and trash talking but when someone comes to America and gives it to them and then wins then they can’t take it.

I’d imagine the fact he was always spouting verses from the Quran during the ring announcements won’t have helped either as his loss to Barrera wasn’t long before 9/11 was it.


Some of his fights were incredible tho. He had the usual spout of allegedly defences but he also won all 4 belts at some point (he usually vacated unless it was the WBO by the looks of it.)

[banjo]

People are right that if he was American he’d have been worshiped. Americans love their own acting like wankers and trash talking but when someone comes to America and gives it to them and then wins then they can’t take it.

I’d imagine the fact he was always spouting verses from the Quran during the ring announcements won’t have helped either as his loss to Barrera wasn’t long before 9/11 was it.


Some of his fights were incredible tho. He had the usual spout of allegedly defences but he also won all 4 belts at some point (he usually vacated unless it was the WBO by the looks of it.)

He did defeat the WBA champion Vazquez but the belt wasn't on the line.

[margaret thatcher]

Would the yanks really worship a Muslim little guy who lost his only elite level fight

[banjo]

Would the yanks really worship a Muslim little guy who lost his only elite level fight

Yanks are weird, they worshiped David Beckham even though he plays a sport most of them don't really care for. Bloke got mobbed everytime he was over there.

[margaret thatcher]

I think they found him a lot better looking than thhey'd find Naz