Inspired-Why did Naz really quit?

[Accountoffline]

The man single handedly made the smaller division worth watching, no other FW or below made such an impact in a time where every casual boxing fan knew nothing but Iron Mike Tyson, Lewis, Holyfield and Tua.

I met Naz 3 years ago, and when speaking to him, he honestly accepted that Barrera was the better fighter, however he felt had he not left the Ingle gym and suffered from his hand issues he would have performed much better.

I remember his exact words being "My brotha, imagine the feeling of placing your hands in ice which had points as sharp as a knife, thats what my hands went through after a fight".

The expression on his face, the fragile appearance of his knuckles and hands certainly gave me the impression that he didn't want to bow out of the sport in that manner.

All in all, a great guy, tremendous entertainer, and severely underrated boxer.

[Dirk Diggler UK]

Did people not see him after the Barrera fight? He accepted that lose better than most fighters accept a loss. He gave full credit to Barrera and never made any excuses even though he could have.

This idea that the Barrera fight "ruined" him is a cute story but honestly, I don't think it affected him that much at all. He didn't get knocked out or even remotely beat up.

[STREET CLEANER]

damn...owned hard

No I wasn't. That was after the loss and Hamed was in no position to demand.

He picked Barrera because he lost the Morales first fight and he thought that he actually won it.

[STREET CLEANER]

Did people not see him after the Barrera fight? He accepted that lose better than most fighters accept a loss. He gave full credit to Barrera and never made any excuses even though he could have.

This idea that the Barrera fight "ruined" him is a cute story but honestly, I don't think it affected him that much at all. He didn't get knocked out or even remotely beat up.

I don't see too many ppl saying that. That was a competitive fight and Barrera had the better fight plan.

You can see clearly in Hamed's next fight that was not into it

[Dirk Diggler UK]

No I wasn't. That was after the loss and Hamed was in no position to demand.

No it was before. And yes he was. He was still the biggest draw in the division.

[Dexters Code]

Morales would have KO'd Hamed if they fought back then. Hamed ran away from the sport, there was the Barerra Rematch that he said he is getting, then there was Morales, Juan Manuel Marquez,etc.

[richardt]

I miss Hamed, have done so for a long time. One of my 15 favorite fighters ever.

[king4oranges]

Naz was prolly the best entertainer I have ever seen

[luisivich]

Its an absolute joke that Naz isn't already in the HoF, he won every major title in his weight class. The HoF is littered with lesser fighters.

if money made and celebrity status was part of the hof criteria then he is a definite shoe in. after the barrera fight it makes you wonder how he won a single title. his style is not what boxing gyms taught to their students(even if one lack motivation- he's supposed not to appear so amateurish). if he was included in the hof and somebody in the future watched his fight againt barrera- he will question the sanity of the hof panel that voted for naz.

[Dirk Diggler UK]

if money made and celebrity status was part of the hof criteria then he is a definite shoe in. after the barrera fight it makes you wonder how he won a single title. his style is not what boxing gyms taught to their students(even if one lack motivation- he's supposed not to appear so amateurish). if he was included in the hof and somebody in the future watched his fight againt barrera- he will question the sanity of the hof panel that voted for naz.

Well yeah, that's the point. He was the epitome of unorthodox. It's a style that comes from the Ingle gym where he was brought up.