Prince Naseem Hamed dramatically lost his throne and invincibility in Las Vegas last night. The acknowledged king of the featherweights could not find the consistency or power and was beaten by Mexico's Antonio Marco Barrera on the biggest night of his life.
Barrera, boxed a superb professional fight, and his superiority was mirrored in a clear, unanimous points verdict which, as a bonus, won him the vacant IBO title. Hamed went down by margins of 115-112 (twice) and a third verdict of 116-111 - that after Barrera had been deducted a point in the final round after slamming the Briton into the ring post.
Hamed had predicted a devastating knockout, but never looked likely to pull one off against the grim-faced Mexican. It was Hamed's first defeat in 36 fights, and this time the Prince could not find a way back after several rocky moments.
It was Hamed's fifth appearance in America, and in the previous four he failed to completely impress. However, Naseem vowed that he’ll be back.
“Great fighters get beat and come back and win - and I'll be back. It was a great fight. I planned a knockout but it didn't come off. I didn't hit him as well as I wanted to,” Naseem said. “He wouldn't charge in because he knew I would knock him out. That's just the way it goes. I'll come back and beat him, I've got a re-match clause in my contract and I'll get the title back.” (PA)
Filed by Sinéad Kissane
