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Okay folks, it’s that time of year again. Naseem Hamed has announced his intention to return to the ring “sometime” next year. I’ve read the interviews, listened to the audio and heard the testimony of “experts” rating his chances of a return to former glory but its now time for the joke to stop. Being a boxing fan is hard enough at the best of times; we have to deal with fights falling through, not being made and so on and so forth. What we don’t need is a former star repeatedly taking the piss, which for the want of better words is what Hamed is doing.
I don’t have a problem with Hamed attempting a comeback, as unlikely as it is now with him reportedly weighing closer to cruiser than feather. I would welcome him back with open arms should he pull it off. What I do object to is the manner in which he chooses to do it and the monotonous regularity with which we are subject to these claims. Hamed cheerfully chuckles along in interview, telling us all how he has missed boxing and that he thinks boxing has missed him (okay, he may have a point here). He also uses the words “maybe” and “might be” or “could be” way, way too many times for my liking. Let us not forget that Hamed’s 2004 Middle East comeback was “definite”, whereas his 2005 version appears to be “possibly” at best and that doesn’t bode well, does it?
Hamed is still a popular figure, a look at any boxing forum or message board will bare testimony to that, although it has to be said that he is now a source of much amusement amongst Joe Public. For that you feel he must shoulder the blame, as no one forces him to repeatedly do this. The story has very much worn thin, going back a few years it was understandable to hear the Hamed comeback line, certain parties would have been keen to use his name at the negotiating table (Hamed coming back would hold plenty of sway with TV companies).
Now, I just don’t get it? What started out as a genuine ploy for business purposes appears to now be a runaway lie that Hamed can’t stop, or even worse won’t stop as it is provides him with a laugh.
I’m not one for dishing out advice, but Hamed should do one of two things; either get in shape, get an opponent and then and only then tell us all about it, or he should keep quiet, return to his “chillin” and live happily with the life, experiences and millions that boxing has provided him. I’m a firm believer in treating others as you expect to be treated; over the years the paying boxing public have treated Hamed well, like a Prince you might say, but in regurgitating this comeback talk every six months or so Hamed is most definitely not returning the favour.
I’ve often wondered how Belcastro, Robinson and Badillo felt to be teased, taunted and humiliated by Hamed. In an obviously less painful way I believe I have found out.
Contact Matt Cotterell: mattcotterell@hotmail.co.uk
