Naseem Hamed's return to the ring is almost certain to be delayed for at least two months after he injured his back while training last night. His fight with Spain's European champion Manuel Calvo, scheduled for London Arena on March 23, was called off today after Hamed's brother and manager Riath revealed the former WBO world featherweight champion had to be carried out of his Sheffield gym after suffering a back spasm.
Hamed, who has been ordered to take a complete rest for two weeks, is consulting specialists and is booked in for X-rays tomorrow. "He was doing a sit-up routine and his back just went," said Riath. "Four of us had to pick him up and carry him home."
Hamed had been monitored by a specialist for the last 10 days of his training after suffering back pain, but Riath said: "Just as it seemed to be getting better it went. He is really sick about it and wanted to see how it went for a couple of days, but I took the decision to call the fight off."
Filed by Sinéad Kissane
