Naseem Hamed- The Posted Pride of Yemen

Naseem Hamed, born in Sheffield, United Kingdom, with ancestry in Yemen, and is one of the most spectacular and remembered fighters of the 90s.

Fundamental to the construction of his extraordinary phenomenon was Brendan Ingle, an Irish Coach who ran a gym of excellence in Sheffield, where he brilliantly trained boys from the area. He trained, helped and guided Johnny Nelson, Junior Witter and Kell Brook, who also became world champions. An absolutely exceptional record.

Brendan was approached in 1981 by Sal Hamed, a Yemeni businessman, who had lived in Sheffield for more than two decades, to ask him to teach his three youngest children how to box. They were often outnumbered and picked on by gangs of neighbourhood bullies. Sal did not know that the coach had already seen young Naseem in action aged seven, feistily defend himself with dazzling skill from three boys trying to beat him up in the playground of the school he attended.

Ingle`s mission involved forming a super nova. Naseem boldly announced that he would be world champion on the very first day he set foot in his gym, and he made good on that pledge. Brendan`s gym became his second home.
As a professional, the “Prince” captivated many with his audaciousness, tremendous talent, speed. lightning catlike reflexes, unquenchable will to win and stellar performances that surpassed any rival who dared to challenge him at his dazzling best.

Naseem came to hold a record of 35 wins, 31 of them by knockout, and zero losses. His outstanding career led him to be the European bantamweight champion at just 20 years old and later he was the featherweight world champion.
With his leopard design shorts he was spotted and admired by fans and detractors and, after signing clauses with Frank Warren, his enthralled with entrances to the ring leaping over the top rope with agility, enhanced his larger than life persona.

The only loss he had was in 2001 against the Mexican Marco Antonio Barrera, who managed to decipher his style.
In recognition of his career and achievements as an athlete, the Republic of Yemen issued postage stamps bearing Hamed’s image.