Naseem Hamed Q&A, January 2000

[Federer]

Jamie Peters,
Durham.

Do you feel the time is right to silence your critics by putting it all on the line against the likes of Mayweather, Morales, or even Freitas?

Definitely, this is the right time and I’m the right man. I feel as though I’ve already proved myself through the calibre of opponent I’ve been fighting. But now’s the time to shine, the time to take these guys on and beat them — and to do it on their own soil, in America, where it will get noticed most. That’s my goal.

Charles Barrow,
Leeds.

How do you think your going to fare against the likes of Morales and Mayweather, if those fights ever happen?

Those Mexicans love a war, they can’t help it, it’s in their grain. I know I can lure Morales in and hurt him with counters. My advice to Floyd is to step up his level of competition and keep taking guys out in style, don’t go back to safety first then maybe that fight can grow into something. All he fights is padded guys who’ve already lost title shots and been beaten up. So as of now he’s not on my level.

Clint Purches,
Thundersley,
Essex.

Be honest, who do you think would give you the toughest fight from all the fighters in and around your weight class and why?

The Americans have been building up Morales so much and, of course, he’s with Bob Arum - and I love knocking people out who are with Arum. He’s [Arum’s] tried to corner the featherweight market and get me beat for some time, but he can’t do it. I’m hoping upon hope that Morales comes through against Barrera. There would be more credibility for me in fighting Morales because he’s unbeaten. I think there are some good fighters out there. I don’t really analyse them and I don’t really care about them, because I think I’m better than all of them and would beat all of them. In 2000 I want to box the best and beat the best. I’m willing to fight any of them.

Adam Hurd,
Sevenoaks,
Kent.

In my opinion, the fighter you were in 1995 would have become a legend, but since then you’ve become surprisingly ordinary and the rumours are that these days you do not stay in shape between fights. Do you plan to rededicate yourself and save your career or is that awesome fighter who destroyed Steve Robinson gone forever?

Number One, that awesome fighter is still an awesome fighter now. Number Two, that awesome fighter is fighting a totally different level of fighter now. You can’t be naive in boxing. The same fighter, once he reaches a better calibre of opponent, it becomes that much harder for him, and that’s what’s happened with me. But if that fighter can keep winning, then that’s what counts. I’ve been boxing former world champions and world champions throughout the last two or three years. The fact is that nowadays my future opponents have seen me fighting, they know where I’m coming from. And I think I’m going to prove myself all over again this year. Steve Robinson compared to Kevin Kelley . . .with every respect to Steve, who’s done well to get himself back into the WBO No. 1 contender’s slot, they’re totally different fighters, mate, so don’t be naive. I’m on the world level now and the competition is that much greater.

S. J. Kilpatrick,
Brixton,
London.

Can you still walk past Brendan Ingle’s gym with your head held high?

Course I can, definitely. In my opinion I was the one who gave that gym such a name. I was the best one to ever come out of that gym, so I don’t see why I shouldn’t be able to walk past it with head held high. If there’s anyone who can walk with his head held high, with my achievements, then I can. I’ll always have my head held high, regardless.

Graham Pearman,
Doncaster,
South Yorks.

You grew up and became great friends with Ryan Rhodes. How has the split from Brendan Ingle changed your relationship with Ryan and how did you feel when he was beaten in his second tilt at a world title, bearing in mind that you have publicly stated that one day Ryan would become a world champion?

With Ryan, I still love him the same, he’s still a great kid. I feel a lot for him and his family. I’ve been in contact with him again recently. There was a time when we didn’t speak for quite a while because of my split with the gym. But now we’re on great terms again, he’s coming to my fight in London. I went to his house, he came to mine. Everything’s back to normal. Ryan’s got his life, I’ve got mine, and we have to concentrate on our own careers. But me and Ryan are getting on really well, we’ve always been like brothers, and we can only get closer. What is he, 22, 23? The guy, in my eyes, is still a great fighter. He’s had a few setbacks, but he’ll still win a world title. I’d fancy him in rematches over Otis Grant and Jason Matthews. Ryan has all the ability. He hasn’t lost no credibility in my eyes. He still has what I’ve always thought he had. I was shocked by the Jason Matthews fight because I thought Ryan had - and I still think the same now - far more ability than he showed in that fight. But we’re all only human and we all make mistakes. Ryan didn’t follow the gameplan - I did the same in the Kevin Kelley fight, but I came back to KO Kevin Kelley. Ryan could have made it a lot easier for himself against Matthews, but none of us are perfect, we all make mistakes. Ryan’s a very young guy, very strong guy, very good puncher, mobile, a clever boxer and he hasn’t been hit and hurt too many times. And I can tell you this, if he’s lost any confidence, I haven’t noticed it. Ryan still wants it. What more can you ask for? Ryan will be okay, believe me.

[Federer]

Paul Raddon,
Gidea Park,
Essex.

Why did you keep your WBO belt over the more prestigious WBC belt?

The WBC title I’d wanted probably since the age of 10. It’s a very special belt, so many prestigious fighters have held it, going back to Ali. But I’ve got a lot more loyalty to the WBO than any other organisation because they gave me my opportunity at the age of 21. Even though I get on well with presidents of the other sanctioning organisations, I get on great with Paco Valcarcel [WBO head honcho], who’s shown me great loyalty and I feel that should be rewarded. I told the WBC that my loyalty would always be to the WBO first and foremost, and that was that.

Alastair Stuart,
Tilbury,
Essex.

Given that you relinquished the IBF belt and were stripped by the WBC, how important is it to you to unify the featherweight titles? I used to think I needed them all, all the belts, just because no featherweight had ever done that before. But there’s too much bull**** in boxing, too much politics and people trying to make it difficult for you. The great fighters have always made the belts rather than the other way round. I actually don’t feel I need a belt to prove who I am. My achievements should speak for themselves.

Also from Paul Raddon

Because of your much publicised hand troubles, do you find yourself holding back on power in the early stages of a fight in case it goes the distance?

One thing I never do is hold back. Both my hands could be broken in a fight, but I don’t ever hold back, regardless of what pain I’m in. I’m a winner, I’ve always been a winner, and whatever happens to me in the ring is written from God. But whatever happens with my hands, I’m never holding back. If I can knock you out, believe me, I’m knocking you out, irrespective of the pain.

Steve Davis,
Newcastle.

Out of all the fighters you’ve met in your career, which one did you underestimate most and end up respecting more, after the fight?

To be honest, I’ve respected all of my opponents. Sometimes I may have appeared not to, but I really always have respected my opponents. But if I had to choose one who I probably didn’t realise would be as good as he was, that would be Boom Boom, Tom Johnson. After our fight I could see why he had 11 or 12 title defences under his belt. I didn’t underestimate him, I gave him the respect he was due, but I didn’t think he quite had the knack of winning fights that he actually had. Even with the way our fight went, with me stopping him, there was still a little something in that fight that I learned and I’m very grateful to have fought him.

Paul Hindley,
Laughton Common,
Nr. Sheffield.

How are things working out since your brother Riath took over promoting your career in terms of dealing with other promoters and making fights?

Things are going unbelievably well and I’m so happy with the situation. It’s good to pick up the phone any time and speak to my own brother regarding my own affairs. Basically I’m in charge of my own career now and that’s an unbelievable position for any fighter to be in. I give my brother all the credit in the world, given that he started with very little experience [in boxing promotion]. He can go on for as many years as he wants and he will always have the ability to succeed in business, whatever the field.

Mark Burnell,
Guildford,
Surrey.

How do you regard Nigel Benn and Chris Eubank? And do you regard yourself as the best British fighter of the 1990s?

Apart from a Gerald McClellan who lost a stone in 10 days, Nigel Benn never beat anyone and even then he needed to be hypnotised. The difference between me and those guys is that they were only ever in the game for the money, they only took up boxing when they were adults whereas I took up boxing when I was a toddler. They didn’t love the game like me, I’m in it for legacy plus I took their glamour to whole new levels so ofcourse I’m the British fighter of the 90’s, along with Lennox Lewis. The main difference between Benn and Eubank is that Eubank was much tougher, that’s why he won their fight. I respect Chris more because he would take his beating like a man or ask to be slapped around his face when things were getting tough.

Joe Considine,
Mottram Hyde,
Cheshire.

Do you see yourself as still being undefeated in two years time?

I see myself being undefeated in five years time, if I want to box in five years. Two years time is nothing and I’ll be on top of my game, if I want to be. But the days are coming when I’ll have to broaden my horizons. As you know, I’ve been boxing from the age of seven. All I know is boxing, but I feel that my life, at some time or other, has to change. At this point, I’ve still got a lot of room for boxing in my heart. But I’ve got a wife, a kid, and another on the way. I miss my son immensely when I’m away from him. I love my wife dearly. I love having my family around me so much. Boxing at this time is great for me and there are still things I want to achieve in it, people out there that I want to beat. But I know that, some time, things are going to have to change.