Prince Naseem Hamed has given credit to a fighter who he thinks changed boxing more than anyone else.
‘Prince Nas’ himself is a legend of the sport. Not only did he become a long-ruling world champion, but he was also famous for his outspoken banter with fighters in the build-up to contests, as well as for his outrageous and expensive ring walk antics.
Once in the ring, the former lineal featherweight ruler continued to express himself like few others with wild showboating and unconventional technique.
A video on Boxing King Media has captured Hamed backstage at a boxing show in Saudi and when Manny Pacquiao arrived, he gave him his flowers.
“I’m gonna be honest. Game changer has to go to the one and only Manny Pacquiao. Eight times, baby, eight times, eight different weights. He changed our sport forever, it’s the truth.”
Hamed isn’t wrong, as Pacquiao’s record is indeed remarkable. He is the only boxer to have won world titles in eight different weight divisions and to have held championships across four decades. His dynamic fighting style and ability to carry power up through the weight classes have left an indelible mark on the sport.
He hasn’t fought since 2021 when he took a unanimous points loss to Yordenis Ugás, but previously beat the likes of Keith Thurman, Timothy Bradley, Shane Mosley, Miguel Cotto and Ricky Hatton.
Pacquiao has often talked about a return to the ring, and despite a failed attempt to compete at the Olympic Games in Paris last year, he will soon controversially get a shot at welterweight world champion Mario Barrios despite now being 46 and a veteran of 72 fights.
