Love him or hate him, ‘Prince’ Naseem Hamed has finally been inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame. The former Featherweight champion has been eligible for quite a few years, but it wasn’t until his eighth year on the ballot that he finally got the call.
Hamed now joins fellow British IBHOF members such as Jack Berg, Randy Turpin, Ken Buchanan, Barry McGuigan (who now manages Carl Frampton), Joe Calzaghe and Lennox Lewis. The Sheffield-born fighter was unable to attend the weekend’s ceremony, however, where he would have stood alongside inductees such as Riddick Bowe.
According to Hamed, his absence was due to a medical situation involving wife, Eleasha. Some people, however, believe it was more likely becuase of Visa complications which may have surfaced following Hamed’s 2005 car crash which severely injured another driver. Hamed spent four months in prison following the incident.
But now isn’t the time to speculate. We congratulate Hamed, one of Britain’s greatest pound for pound boxers, on receiving some long overdue recognition. Hamed, now a father of three, had quite the glittering career. Many will be remember the arrogance and brash nature of the showman – but he also the skills to back it up.
Elusive, highly unorthodox, and packing fight-ending power from a single shot, Hamed was able to make sixteen defenses of his IBF and WBO straps. The Sheffield fighter, who retired at 28-years-old in 2002, held a record of 36 wins, 1 loss, and 30 knockouts – with that blemish only being dealt by Mexican legend Marco Antonio Barrera.
So the question: love him or hate him? Perhaps it’s a bit of both. If one thing’s for sure, the born-to-entertain fighter’s electric performances will be missed and remembered for quite some time.
Catch Knockout Extra’s Prince Naseem Hamed knockout reel below:
Let us know your thoughts on Hamed being inducted and his career achievements, fight fans!
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