Chat Transcript
CBS SportsLine.com
March 15, 2001

Hamed has a record of 35-0 with 31 KOs. (Allsport)

Check out what World Featherweight Champion Prince Naseem Hamed had to say during his chat about his upcoming TVKO pay-per-view fight against Marco Antonio Barrera at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on April 7.

Hamed, 27 years old, is the world's No. 1 ranked undefeated featherweight fighter. He has a record of 35-0 with 31 KOs and has been a three time world champion. He has 31 undisputed fights with almost half of them ending in under two rounds. He won his first title (WBO featherweight) in 1995 against Steve Robinson.

Hamed has set himself apart from his other fighters by his unique showmanship. He dances, wears leopard-print shorts and does a flip upon entering the ring.

Prince Naseem Hamed: Big Hello to everyone on the internet from the Featherweight Champion of the World.. Prince Naseem Hamed! It is good to do my first interview on the internet, especially for CBS SportsLine.

Question: barky: The hype for the fight says "For the World Championship" yet I don't see it listed as a title fight on many of the internet venues. Is it WBO?

Prince Naseem Hamed: No.. It is IBO.. For the Featherweight championship of the IBO. The International Boxing Organization.

Question: sally: What made you decide to become a fighter?

Prince Naseem Hamed: It definitely is a long story. From the age of 7 I realized I had a knack or skill for punching and hitting and not getting hit. That was from the schoolyard at the age of 7. I went to a boxing club that was about a minute from my house. The moment I walked in I felt the sport was for me. I really started at 7 because I felt at home.

Question: barky: Did you have any boxing idols when you were young?

Prince Naseem Hamed: Yeah I had a few. My biggest was my father. He has nothing to do with boxing but the way he brought me up as a Muslim. Clean living. I really appreciate the upbringing I had and the morals my parents taught. I had the best upbringing a kid could have. I appreciate them. So my biggest idols are my father and mother. But when it comes to boxing, it is Muhammad Ali. For everything he stood for and his style, ability and confidence. And how he carried himself. The fact he was a Muslim was big in my eyes and millions of others around the world. Going back to my upbringing. I feel it is so important because it made me the man I am today. How I present myself and the way I deal with people. It is because of how my father brought me up.

Question: tez: Is that why you have the "heart of an Arab" and "the heart of a lion?"

Prince Naseem Hamed: Yeah! Definitely! The heart of an Arab, that is where my parents are from, Yemen in the Middle East. They have big hearts there. That is where the root of my bravery comes from. It comes down to where my parents are from. I believe I have a very big heart, which you need in the ring when you fight. I have also said I have the heart of a lion, which I believe I am very confident and have the heart to be pulled through what I need. But I am also proud to be British. That is where I am from and brought up, from a little town in the north called Sheffield.

Question: sally: Do you ever get nervous before a fight? What is going through your head just before fight time?

Prince Naseem Hamed: I never feel nervous. Just anxious and eager to prove myself and come out victorious. I can't wait to fight. I get very excited before a fight and try to control things best I can. What goes through my head is how to become victorious. That sometimes means working on a game plan. Though they never go according to plan for me. I think of Allah, and when any Muslim thinks of Allah, Allah thinks of him.

Question: fightfan: How did you decide on doing a flip before entering the ring?

Prince Naseem Hamed: That was before I turned professional. I wanted to be different from a lot of fighters and be flamboyant, which I am, and show my confidence. And to show I take risks and like to entertain the crowd. I have come in on cranes, flaming carpets and finish it off with a final show, the somersault. I started that at 18 and I have yet to lose when I do it. I am 35-0 and feel I have been truly blessed with a gift from Allah, and thank Him every day.

Question: tez: Prince, what round are you going to "spark" Barrera?

Prince Naseem Hamed: Only Allah knows what round! I feel I am definitely going to spark him. I have a big advantage in punching power and I feel he has never faced anyone with the punching power and explosiveness I have. When I say only Allah knows that, only HE knows the future. I don't want anyone watching the Pay Per View or in person on April 7 to blink. If you blink, you might miss a shot. Because speed is power!

Question: the_girth: Prince, how do you back up your claim that you are the greatest of all time?

Prince Naseem Hamed: Well there is one thing I have never said. I have never said I am the greatest of all time. I never would say that in my life. I feel 100% and deep down that the greatest man to ever walk the earth is Muhammad (blessings upon him), the last prophet God sent down. I do not say I am the greatest of all time, but I feel I am one of the greatest. I would let people decide that after I have retired. I have been World Champion for 6 years now and it is nice to get the credit you deserve.

Question: barky: Do you think you are the man to totally unify the Featherweight class? Can you beat Gainer, Morales and Botile?

Prince Naseem Hamed: I can 100% beat all of them. It is just the politics of boxing, managers and promoters. The fact is that I have summed up the division and everyone knows I am the best Featherweight in the world right now. That is why I don't even need a belt right now. Those guys are all great fighters and I give them credit, but I don't think they can ever beat me!

Question: tez: Prince, do you plan to fight Erik Morales perhaps after Barrera?

Prince Naseem Hamed: Most definitely! I would love to fight him. I feel very confident I would knock him out in devastating fashion. I feel he is a great fighter and deserves all the credit in the world, but he (like many) have never fought anyone like me. My mind is focus on Barerra now. He is the only obstacle I have in front of me right now. God willing, when it comes to fight time on the 7th, I will take him apart.

Question: tim78: Do you think you are pound for pound the best boxer?

Prince Naseem Hamed: yeah. I actually do! There are great fighters out there but I am being honest. I am definitely in the top 2 or 3 as the best, pound for pound. After this fight I should be named by Ring Magazine as the best, pound for pound. It is an awesome fight people have wanted to see for years. It has been on the horizon for 5 years. It will sum up who the best Featherweight in the world is, and I 100% think it is me.

Question: tez: Prince, are you going to try the "Conando punch" that you talked about with Conan O'Brien?

Prince Naseem Hamed: I was just having a laugh with Conan. He is a good guy and we get on well. I remember being on his show in 1997 when I came to America. It would be nice to mention it on tv with Conan but in the fight, it is too serious. But then again you never know me. I am unpredictable in the ring and could throw any shot.

Question: riaz: Are you going to go toe to toe with MAB? or use your speed advantage and box from angles? (PS- you are P4P #1)

Prince Naseem Hamed: I am going to definitely use speed and angles. But you never know with me. I might want to stand toe-to-toe. But I am going to be very clever in this and take him apart in grand fashion. I totally agree with you, riaz. I am pound for pound #1.

Question: fightfan: What do you feel is the best victory you've had? The worst defeat? What did each teach you?

Prince Naseem Hamed: First of all I have never lost as a professional. I don't think about defeat. It never enters my head. Losing is not with me. I refuse to lose. There is one thing we say in Muslim. Whatever is written for a man is written by Allah. I will accept whatever I am given. What felt the best victory, when I got to the age of 21 and won the Featherweight Championship of the world. Early in my career and early in my age. I gave up the belt but am still recognized as the best. Why that was good is when I was growing up (9-10) I was quoted I would be the Featherweight Champion. I thank Allah that what I said I would become at 21, I became. For being that confident at that age and it actually happening, it was amazing. So I take that as one of my best victories.

Question: dminbecci: Why did you sign with Mills Lane and his Let's Get It On promotions?

Prince Naseem Hamed: What it was is we wanted a very good promoter in America for this fight. It is the biggest fight of my life. My older brother came to the states and spoke to Tony Holden and he was involved with Lets Get It On and Mills Lane. We are the ones who employed them and we are happy we did. He is a big name and a great name and a fantastic guy. I love working with him and Tony Holden. I feel we have met our promoters in America for the future. I think they are 2 fantastic guys who bring a hell of a lot to the table and they bring a lot to the sport of boxing.

Prince Naseem Hamed: To all of you who are reading about me on SportsLine, it is great to have been here. Look out for me and wish me the best. Watch the fight on April 7th on Pay Per View or come to the MGM Grand. It is going to be a great fight with plenty of drama, which is what I bring. I wish you all the best. Take Care!