By James Blears
Naseem Hamed was the youngest Britain ever to become a world champion, and now he can show the hallmark of his class by helping Amir Khan to better it.
The two men are somewhat similar and also drastically different. Both are devout Muslims who have grown up in Britain and are proud of their country. Both have captured the public’s imagination with the richness of their natural talent and precocious brilliance. Both are heroes and role models for their own communities, but are admired by the whole country and the world at large.
Although he has a royal surname, eighteen-year-old Amir is quiet, modest and down to earth. While Naseem adopted a royal mantle with his nickname of Prince, often strutting around adorned with cloak of regal distain, a bit like a potentate. Naseem had purists gritting their teeth and gnashing their gums, with his unorthodox handicraft, while Amir’s more conventional skills won him an Olympic silver medal.
There was no doubting Naseem’s talent and lion hearted courage, the lad had guts. Back in 1995 as a 21 year old, he breezed on to the Cardiff turf of Steve Robinson, and proved he wasn’t a usurper, by pulling off a stunning eighth round knockout in front of a suitably stunned home town crowd. He gave his subjects full notice of his talent.
Naseem only lost once, but it proved a watershed for him. Mexican fighter Marco Antonio Barrera, not only out slugged him, but also took him back to school with a comprehensive boxing lesson. The loss to Barrera was so painful for Hamed that he never seemed to have shaken it off. The fighting prince had become a boxing pauper.
Amir has just embarked on his pro career. Naseem was a featherweight, while Amir is a bit bigger as a lightweight, and like Oscar De La Hoya has shown, there’s room to grow with age.
Amir has so much expectation and responsibility being heaped on his young shoulders. And wouldn’t it be nice for someone who’s already been to the mountain, climbed to its summit and fulfilled the boxing prophecies to be on hand, or at the right hand of the new fighting deity.
Naseem amassed riches, through contracts, publicity, investment and smart business savvy. It’s a handsome midas touch, which has complimented his deft moves in the ring. He could certainly pass this wisdom on to the young regent.
Fighting the very best in the world, is an invaluable learning curve, but one which does not permit errors or lapses. The transition from talented amateur to brilliant professional is a quantum leap, which is by no means assured. This is where Naseem’s wisdom, experience craftiness and astuteness could prove invaluable.
Records are there to be broken. And what better opportunity is there, for Naseem to be a pivotal element in this process. It’s his chance to conquer history twice, while giving back to the sport that’s given so much to him.
Naseem’s former Coach Brendan Ingle is now insisting that Amir has the potential to achieve more and earlier. What better way to prove him right, than for Naseem himself to join forces with Camp Khan as the Grand Vizier.
Naseem has yet to officially announce his retirement. A return to the ring now would prove nothing and be ill advised. So wouldn’t it be majestic to be part of a second coronation?
