By Simon Allen: I recently re watched Naseem Vs Kelley, for probably the hundredth time. It ranks as one of my favourite fights ever. It got me thinking why does Naseem get little plaudits for his career in the ring?

Known, loved and despised by many for his ring antics and spectacular ring entrances, often overlooked is his ability and skill in the ring and significant achievements he made in a shorter than necessary career.

Trained by Brendan Ingle out of Winscombank gym in Sheffield from as young as nine, Hamed stood out immediately with his talented flashy southpaw style. Having amassed an excellent amateur record of 62/5/0 (19), Hamed turned professional at flyweight in 1992.

He rose up the ranks quickly, beating a series of opponents by early stoppage, showing the early flashes of charisma fans would come to love or hate.

By age 20 he had captured the European bantamweight title, by outclassing and outpointing a beleaguered Vincenzo Belcastro.

His next big test ended even more favourably capturing the WBC international super bantamweight title winning over an overwhelmed Freddy Cruz stopping him in six rounds.

By this time Naseem’s popularity had grown immensely. His difficult, unorthodox style and playground antics generating as many detractors as fans.

Hamed then signed with Frank Warren and stepped up a level of competition knocking out the tough and durable Enrique Angeles and Juan Polo Perez both by Hamed’s favoured second round knockout.

In 1995 the Prince moved up in weight again to featherweight and was controversially named number one contender by the WBO. Hamed was set to square against champion Steve Robinson.

Naseem to his credit dominated the fight knocking down Robinson in round five. Naseem then dropped Robinson hard in round eight with the referee stepping in to save Robinson. Naseem was now a world champion.

He then made quick work of Nigerian Said Lawal in his first defence by entering the ring to face Daniel Alicea, his first fight televised in the States.

After a quick start with both fighters trading hard punches, Hamed suffered a surprise knockdown his first of his career.

Hamed came out determined in the second knocking down Alicea twice the second forcing the referee to wave it off.

Arguably Hamed’s best performance came in his next defence against former two time champion Manuel Medina.

Hamed grounded Medina in round two and after comprehensively beating him but struggling to finish him off managed to knock Medina twice more in round eleven. The fight was stopped after the doctor advised Medina’s corner this was the best course of action.

Afterwards it was revealed Naseem had fought the fight with a heavy cold.

Medina would go on to win other versions of the featherweight title another three times.

In 1997, Naseem faced off against long time IBF champion Tom “Boom Boom” Johnson. After eight rounds of being dismantled and hurt the referee again stepped in to save Johnson further punishment.

Hamed now held two versions of the featherweight title. However due to boxing politics Naseem relinquished the IBF title shortly after.

Later in 1997 the Prince made a heavily hyped debut in the US. His arrival covered extensively by media outlets both sides of the Atlantic.

He met former champion Kevin Kelley in highly entertaining back and forth fight. Forced to fight for the first time conventionally with a high guard, Hamed tastes the canvas three times before putting Kelley down and out for a third time himself and earning a fourth round knockout.

In 1998 Hamed defeated Wilfredo Vazquez in seven rounds, before going on to face Wayne McCullough and Paul Ingle both of whom lost comprehensively.

Hamed then faced WBC featherweight champion Cesar Soto, winning on points over twelve rounds and becoming a double title holder again. Hamed later relinquished the title stating he would rather commit to being WBO champion.

Ironically if Vazquez had not been stripped of his WBA title prior to the fight, Naseem would have won all four titles in his division the first to do this at that time since Riddick Bowe.

In March 2000, Hamed outfought and outboxed long time reigning IBF super bantamweight champion Vuyani Bungu in another impressive display. In August Hamed then beat Augie Sanchez by fourth round knockout. After this fight it was revealed his hand was broken and required surgery. Being out of the ring for six months led to Naseem gaining thirty five pounds in weight.

On his return Hamed relinquished the WBO title to arrange a fight with long time rival Marco Antonio Barrera.

Eight weeks before the fight Naseem was still thirty five pounds overweight. After an extensive training camp he still hadn’t lost enough and had to sweat off the rest in two days before the fight.

Barrera on the contrary had been training hard and was looking impressive.

Emanuel Steward overseeing Hamed’s training was immediately concerned and worried at the poor sparring partners and Hamed’s ragged performance in training.

Naseem went on to lose the fight by unanimous decision. Wobbled in the first round Hamed failed to get his offense going.

Barrera was more versatile and outworked Naseem forcing Hamed to look for power punches towards the end of the fight.

Hamed admitted afterwards he was weight drained going into the fight and that he had never envisaged losing, suffering from over confidence.

Naseem had one more fight against Manuel Calvo comprehensively beating him on points. At age just 28 Naseem was never to fight again.

Hamed’s career is one of unfulfilled potential. But ultimately due to inactivity in the ring, injuries, cutting corners in training and family issues stopped him reaching his potential.
Most commentators believe Hamed should have propelled him to achievement that could have led to legendary status.

Instead Prince Naseem Hamed leaves a legacy of entertaining fights, a sterling career that frustratingly could have been either better. Prince Naseem will forever split fans opinions and that is the real legacy he has left behind.