Naseem Hamed is not likely to return to the ring until February, following last week's tragedy in America. Hamed had been planning to face an unnamed opponent in November, but the attack on the US and religious necessity has made this impossible.
Hamed said: "There have been discussions regarding a November fight, but due to observing the holy month of Ramadan and the need to be with my family at that time, I have decided to postpone the date until the beginning of next year."
Hamed has not stepped into the ring since he suffered his first professional defeat, at the hands of Marco Antonio Barrera, in April. Hamed was believed to have been lining up South Africa's Mbulelo Botile or European champion Manuel Calvo, as his next opponent.
The decision to postpone means Hamed's hopes of regaining his belts have taken a knock, with any title bout not likely to occur until late 2002.
Filed by John Raftery
