Was Naseem Hamed the most exciting fighter of the 90's?

[Motofan]

Maybe for Brits, but he was more of a hypejob/sideshow in my eyes. Went life and death against an ancient fighter for his HBO showcase and lost to the only A level fighter he faced. He did help bring some attention to the lower weight classes but it isn't like Erik and Marco were ignored by the fans and networks before Naz. So for me, he was a hype job with lame WWF ring entrances who beat up on lower level guys to make a name. Nothing more. He was honestly not much of a name over on this side of the pond.

[JACK1190]

I liked his ring entrances and the flip he used to do lol.. I was also happy when he got his azz kicked by MAB...he was the Adrien Broner of the 90's for me at least.

How dare you even compare Broner to Naz. And let me tell you this, if Naz would have stayed with the Ingle camp, instead of chasing luxury and fame by going with Steward, he would have knocked Barrera out.

[FrankieBruno]

100% yes......

he birthed a generation of new fighters

[Dirk Diggler UK]

It's amazing to hear him called a "hypejob" when he literally unified the featherweight division. He beat all the champions. All four of them. WBC, WBA,IBF and WBO. He lost one fight to a legendary fighter.

[The Noose]

Maybe for Brits, but he was more of a hypejob/sideshow in my eyes. Went life and death against an ancient fighter for his HBO showcase and lost to the only A level fighter he faced. He did help bring some attention to the lower weight classes but it isn't like Erik and Marco were ignored by the fans and networks before Naz. So for me, he was a hype job with lame WWF ring entrances who beat up on lower level guys to make a name. Nothing more. He was honestly not much of a name over on this side of the pond.

I dont think any fighter that stays champion for 6 years can be considered a hype job.
I think his clowning around makes people think he was just a joke fighter, but his talent and chin were unquestionable. He also beat many good fighters, but ultimately lost to Barrera, and that was his best opponent.

IMO, he was the most entertaining fighter of the 90's, and one of the most entertaining ever.
Him getting put down and coming back was a big art of that.

[swagman]

I agree somewhat. He was very exciting. As someone stated earlier, Roy Jones and Tito too. I was very young maybe. Very young but Sweet Pea and Prince Hamed were my favorites looking back from teenage years and talking to people older. I think RJJ is a strong second.

[STREET CLEANER]

Everytime he jumped over the top rope with his backflip I was hoping that he fell on his neck. I don't like show boaters. Him and Camacho were the only fighters that I watch hoping that they lose.

His first real fighter was a prime Paul Ingle and he went life and death with the guy. Mexico had the better fighters at that weight. One thing is for sure that he had a lot of attention because of his actions and had me watching him for it

[MoneyMayFan]

Roy jones all day everyday.

[#1Assassin]

Lawlswut?

The comparison to AB is completely insane. AB arguably lost to 3 mediocre fighters before eventually getting a loss on his record. Naz knocked guys out who were bigger than him and who he wasn't supposed to knock out.

And I would say he's up there. He was my personal favourite alongside Roy Jones Jr in the 90s, so I'd be very biased, but you had to watch his fights then. It was all out excitement.

i dont think he meant to compare them in terms of ability or accomplishments but rather their role within the sport.

they were both super arrogant guys who most people wanted to see get their asses kicked. they both brought a lot of entertainment value, not only inside the ring but before the fights even started.

they both have people all over the place as far as how they rate their respective abilities, far more so than basically any other fighter in their time. some think naz is an atg just like some think AB is a future atg. at the same time many feel they both were/are total hypejobs.

i think they are very similar as well, again not in terms of ability or accomplishments but just being real characters who create a lot of emotion and excitement.

i do take offense in calling naz the broner of the 90's though, if anything broner is a modern day naz. keep in mind the follow up act is never as good as the original.

[Tedkidlewis]

It's a shame that Naz will probably never be in the HOF because I think he was a great fighter and did a lot for the sport. Personally I think he deserves to be there.