HAMED, BARRERA SET TO GO…
(INSIDE BOXING) Prince Naseem Hamed has committed to fight Marco Antonio Barrera on April 7th at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Previously set for March, this is the second time the fight has been confirmed.
In making his Las Vegas debut, Hamed is taking on a super bantamweight champion (WBO) in Barrera who is regarded as one of the hardest punchers pound-for-pound in the game today.
Last February the WBC featherweight champion, Erik Morales battled Barrera in what many consider the fight of the (2000) year. Barrera lost a controversial decision but his stock in the 126 lb. and under category rose.
After refusing to defend his WBO featherweight title against the number one contender Istvan Kovacs, Hamed was stripped of that title and currently holds no championship belt.
HBO declined to renew contract negotiations with Hamed after his camp refused to be forced to fight a higher caliber of opponent than they would like. The Barrera bout is an attempt on the part of "Camp Hamed" to make him a pay-per-view draw without any title on the line.
Hamed insists that the fight with Barrera will be a "career defining fight" comparing the bout with that of "Sugar" Ray Leonard and "Marvelous" Marvin Hagler. Hamed claims he will be boxing Barrera in his prime and Barrera will boxing him in his prime.
The 5’3" Hamed will be taking on the 5’7" Barrera in what some say is a disadvantage for the taller Mexican who is stepping up in weight to competition that is suspect.
In preparation for this fight, Hamed will supposedly be training for some 10-12 weeks in Palm Springs, California with Emanuel Steward, who presently trains heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis.
It is ironic that Hamed would compare this fight to that of Leonard vs Hagler.
With a record of 53-3 with 37 KO’s, Barrera is readying himself for an all out war. If the Prince intends to adopt the attitude that Leonard did, that is to outbox and basically frustrate his opponent, he is sadly mistaken.
The Mexican contingent that will fill the seats at the MGM Grand will in no way tolerate a "run and gun" style of fight. The Prince has long declared his dominance in the featherweight division but has never went toe-to-toe with anyone of significance. Against Barrera he has to back up his talk with ACTION! No running, but actual combat!
Erik Morales did not deny boxing fans the opportunity to show that he could beat Barrera at what Barrera does best…FIGHT! The Prince will have to have the same philosophy or he will be roundly criticized…and booed!
Hamed has several World Champions who have publicly called him out with no success. Floyd Mayweather, Jr., Acelino Freitas and Joel Casamayor are just 3 of the elite names who have issued challenges to the Prince.
Marco Antonio Barrera poses a unique situation for the "little fella" from England. Should Hamed decide to actually fight Barrera, he will be knocked out. If he decides to run, the crowd will be very vocal in their displeasure.
When you brag of your boxing prowess, as does Hamed, sooner or later you have to engage in a war.
With the caliber of competition that awaits him, beginning with Marco Antonio Barrera, Hamed may as well learn that sooner or later is NOW!
Boy Wonder
01/24/01