Naseem Hamed remains one of Britain’s most beloved boxers and an inspiration to many fighters who have come since.
He was often spoken about in the mythical pound-for-pound rankings at the height of his career. At that time, he was a world champion who was destroying every man put in front of him as well as darling with his wild ring walks, mad antics inside the ropes and generally flamboyant, showboating style.
‘Prince Naz’ held multiple featherweight world championships from 1995 to 2000 and also reigned as the lineal champion from 1998 to 2001 before losing to Marco Antonio Barrera in April of that year. He fought just once more, beating Manuel Calvo by decision in 2002 and then hung up his gloves.
For many years, his career overlapped with Floyd Mayweather, the unbeaten multi-weight world champion who reigned in the super featherweight at that time.
Speaking to Boxing Scene, Hamed claimed that had they fought, he would have got the win and changed the course of Mayweather’s career.
“It’s a good job that he didn’t fight me, though, because he might not have the career that he did.”
However, Hamed also had praise for Mayweather and the way he managed his life in boxing.
“In my eyes, the most clever person to ever come into the boxing game is Floyd ‘Money’ Mayweather. While everybody is hating him…. don’t hate the brother, just watch him enjoy his fruits.”
Mayweather retired back in 2017 after beating Conor McGregor in his 50th and final contest, though he has had several exhibitions since then. Back in September, he revealed that the next one will be against Mike Tyson sometime in Spring 2026.
