Naseem Hamed was a real showman throughout his career as a professional boxer, but had his struggles outside of the ring after retiring in 2002
Naseem Hamed leaves Moorland open prison, near Doncaster.
September 2006(Image: )
Former world boxing champion Prince Naseem Hamed only served 16 weeks of a 15-month sentence for dangerous driving.
A new biopic titled ‘Giant’ – which shares the story of Hamed’s rise to fame – will be released in UK cinemas today. James Bond actor Pierce Brosnan plays the role of Hamed’s trainer, Brendan Ingle – who was pivotal in the legendary boxer’s rise up the ranks.
Hamed, now 51, grew up in a flat above the convenience store his parents ran before being introduced to the sport of boxing at the age of seven. After walking through the doors of Ingle’s famous Wincobank gym, Hamed never looked back. He turned professional aged 18 before becoming a European champion nearly two years later.
In 1995, Hamed struck gold after winning the WBO featherweight title with a vicious knockout victory over Steve Robinson in Cardiff. He added two more titles to his collection, before calling it a day in 2002 – retiring with a professional record of 36-1. His sole defeat came at the hands of Marco Antonio Barrera in 2001 for the vacant IBO featherweight title.
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Needless to say Hamed was an extravagant showman in the ring, and was quick to become a fan-favourite. Outside the sport, he lived a rather flashy life – living in plush houses as well as driving around in expensive cars. However, things turned pretty quickly for the boxing icon.
In 2005, Hamed was involved in a near-fatal crash on Ringinglow Road, Sheffield, while driving his £325,000 McLaren-Mercedes at 90mph. He smashed head-on into another vehicle, leaving the driver with every major bone in his body fractured. A year later, the boxer, aged 32 at the time, was sentenced to 15 months after pleading guilty – as well as being handed a four-year driving ban.
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In February 2007, Hamed was released early from prison after after serving just 16 weeks of his sentence. He was seen wearing a black leather jacket, chatting away with his brothers prior to his release. A silver Rolls-Royce and a stretch Range Rover with blacked-out windows waited for the ex-world champion outside Moorland open prison in Doncaster, South Yorkshire.
A Prison Service spokeswoman said at the time: “We do not comment on individual prisoners.” Hamed left the prison shortly after 8am on February 15, 2007, carrying two bags – which were placed in the waiting Rolls-Royce. After leaving through the entrance of the jailed, it’s reported he told the reporters “at least no-one died”. He added he had missed the birth of his newborn baby. “What can I say?” he said. “It’s been hard.”