Mister Showman: Prince Naseem

Prince Naseem's exceptional boxing ability speaks for itself. At just 26 he is one of the highest earning sportsmen in the world.
Naseem was just seven when he started boxing at Brendan Ingle's gym and a very confident 12 year old when he told the editor of Boxing News, Harry Mullan "You ought to write a story about me, I am going to be a World Champion."

Prince Naseem is more than a boxer, he is an entertainer and it is not just his boxing ability that sets him apart from the best of the rest it is his style and showmanship. The music, the dancing, his leopard print shorts, his legendary entrances and not forgetting his infamous 'flip' into the ring -- all Prince Naseem Hamed trade marks that have made him a youth icon. Sir Bob Geldof once told a local paper that, 'Prince Naseem is one of the greatest showmen in the world.' Naseem also boasts support from other internationally renowned celebrities including Puff Daddy, Will Smith, Sylvester Stallone, Michael Jackson, Wesley Snipes, Robbie Williams, David Beckham, Ian Wright and Liam and Noel Gallagher of Oasis. In January 1996 Noel Gallagher announced to the media, 'If Prince Naseem was a musician I'd want him to be in Oasis and if I was a boxer, I'd want to be Prince Naseem.' Prince Naseem has given boxing a new image opening it up to a whole new audience. His fan club attracts members of all ages from around the world.
Naseem has been to Buckingham Palace to meet with the Royal Family and to 10 Downing Street at the invitation of the Prime Minister. However, Naseem is more than a British fighter he is an Arabic fighter who prides himself on both his roots.

In February 1997 Prince Naseem Hamed took on American Tom Johnson for the IBF title. He won becoming the two time champion of the world but this was not to last. In August Prince Naseem was stripped of his IBF belt due to boxing politics.

1997 saw Prince Naseem enter a new era as a record-breaking deal was signed with major American channel Home Box Office (HBO) firmly launching Naseem in America. This together with the record breaking deals and endorsements already under his wing, have made him one of the highest earning sports people in the world.

Naseem's first American fight took place on 19th December 1997 when he took on native New Yorker, Kevin Kelley in his home turf at the boxing Mecca of the world Madison Square Garden. Naseem was triumphant in four rounds putting up what is being hailed as one of the most exciting fights of his career.

January 1999 was a busy month for Naseem who added an extra title to his collection when he received an MBE in the Queen's New Year's Honour List. The New Year also saw many changes to 'Team Naseem'. Decisions made allowed him to take more control of his own destiny. Naseem launched his own promotions company, 'Prince Promotions'. Emanuel Steward and Oscar Suarez are working together on all aspects of Naseem's training and fight preparation.

In October 1999, Naseem fought Mexican Cesar Soto for the WBC title. In preparation for the fight, Naseem headed to the Poconos Mountains for a six-week, intensive training camp. He shared the camp with Lennox Lewis who was preparing for his Holyfield re-match. This was the first time Naseem had been to a training camp and the difference showed. After twelve grueling rounds Naseem won on a unanimous points decision becoming the WBO & WBC featherweight champion of the world. However, due to boxing politics Naseem had to resign the WBC title in January 2000.

September 2000 marked Naseem's five-year reign as the WBO Featherweight Champion. Five days after his anniversary party, Naseem decided to vacate the title stating that he would no longer allow boxing politics to stand in his way of fighting the world's top fighters. There was one fighter Naseem had in mind when making this decision and the fighter was Marco Antonio Barrera. The Nas v. Barrera fight has now been scheduled for 7th April 2001 in Las Vegas. This is Naseem's first fight in Vegas and provides him with the opportunity to finally silence his critics.

Although boxing politics seem to have got in the way of Naseem's dream to unify the featherweight division, his victories over the WBO, IBF, WBA and WBC titleholders make him the true featherweight champion of the world. No one can argue that Naseem is an exceptional fighter destined for even greater things, possibly even the legendary status he so desires. Prince Naseem has conquered England, Europe and is now on his way to conquering America and the World. With foresight maybe his Yemeni parents would have hesitated before they named him Naseem, Arabic for 'gentle breeze.'

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