By Terence Dooley
Naseem Hamed is back in boxing, albeit as a manager, the former featherweight title holder is throwing his weight behind Scotland's Callum Johnson, a two-time national amateur champion who turns pro on the undercard of Ricky Burns' maiden WBO super-featherweight title defence at the Braehead Arena, Glasgow on December 4th.
Hamed's return has surprised many, including the former fighter; he told thisislincolnshire.co.uk that, “I never thought I was going to come back into boxing. But as the years went by there were a lot of people who said: 'With the knowledge you've got why would you not pass it on?' I had a good think about that and the opportunity came up with Callum.
“I'm not going to overdo my schedule with a lot of fighters. I'm fortunate enough to have done well in the game and I'm financially stable, thank God. I got to spend a lot of time with my beautiful kids, I've got three boys, and that's one of the big reasons I came out of the game at the age of 28. Now is the time to put something back in. Boxing has become a bit downtrodden and it needs some sparkle. Callum Johnson is going to be the guy to put that in.”
Hamed, who retired with a 36-1 (31) record, feels that Callum will move quickly through the pro ranks and can match or even surpass his own achievements – Naz won his first five paid fights via stoppage and netted the WBO featherweight title after just three-and-a-half years as a pro when defeating Steve Robinson in 1995.
“I think his first ten fights will be ten knockouts and he'll be world champion within three years. People can doubt me but I know the game well. I've seen him throw one of the best left hooks I've ever seen. When an amateur does that, God only knows what he is going to do as a professional,” enthused Hamed.
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