Hamed, ‘Prince’ Naseem (1974– )
English boxer, known as ‘Prince’ Naseem for his showmanship in the ring. An exceptionally strong puncher for a featherweight, he is widely regarded as one of boxing's greatest talents. He made his professional debut in 1992 and was unbeaten until April 2001, when he lost on a unanimous points decision to Mexico's Marco Antonio Barrera.
Career highlights
Professional record (1992–2002)
fights: 37; wins: 36 (31 inside the distance); draws: 0; defeats: 1
WBO featherweight champion
1995–2001
IBF featherweight champion
1997–2001
WBC featherweight champion
1999–2000
Born in Sheffield, England, of Yemeni parentage, he won the European bantamweight title and the World Boxing Council (WBC) international super-bantamweight championship in 1994, before capturing the World Boxing Organization (WBO) world featherweight title in September 1995. In January 1999 he was awarded an MBE.
| In October 1999, in Detroit he defeated Mexican fighter Cesar Soto on points to win the WBC version of the world featherweight title but in January 2000 he was forced to relinquish the WBC title. Because the WBC does not recognize the WBO as a valid sanctioning body, they would not allow Hamed to hold the two world featherweight titles concurrently. Hamed refused to give up the WBO title. |
