Prince Naseem Hamed would have loved to remain in the sport but, after repeatedly experiencing an \u201cobscene amount of pain\u201d, he ultimately decided to retire in 2002.<\/p>\n
The mercurial talent had become a world featherweight champion in 1995, dethroning Steve Robinson with an eighth-round stoppage to claim the WBO title.<\/p>\n
\u2018Naz\u2019 then went on to unify his division and make multiple iconic title defences, most notably scoring a fourth-round finish over Kevin Kelley<\/a> in 1997.<\/p>\n Their thrilling battle saw both men climb off the canvas at Madison Square Garden, where Hamed endeared himself to the American audience with his flamboyance in and out the ring.<\/p>\n Another stunning fourth-round stoppage came in 2000, when the Sheffield man was once again sent to the deck, this time by Augie Sanchez, who is perhaps best known for defeating Floyd Mayweather in the amateurs.<\/p>\n In the end, Hamed emerged victorious but suffered his only professional defeat, against Mexican great Marco Antonio Barrera, in his following outing.<\/p>\n Yet it was not for this reason that he retired at 28 years old, but rather because the sport had taken its toll on his hands.<\/p>\n