Prince Naseem Hamed Hails Dublin Return as Brendan Ingle Memories Come Flooding Back
Prince Naseem Hamed admits every trip to Dublin stirs memories of the Dub who shaped both his career and his life.
The Hall of Famer returned to the Irish capital this week as part of Queensberry’s build-up to Saturday night’s Pierce O’Leary vs Mark Chamberlain card at the 3Arena, but it wasn’t just the boxing that had him smiling.
For ‘Naz’, Dublin will forever be intertwined with Brendan Ingle.
The legendary Sheffield trainer, whose family roots traced back to Ringsend, masterminded Hamed’s rise from precocious talent to one of boxing’s biggest global stars. Standing on a Dublin stage almost three decades after stopping Manuel Medina in the city, Hamed couldn’t hide his affection for both Ireland and the coach who transformed his career.
“We love Dublin. We love the Irish. We love Ireland,” Hamed said.
“I had an Irish man training me myself for a long time from Ringsend, as you know, Brendan Ingle. I’m still proud and happy about that.”
It was a fitting reflection on a week where Irish boxing once again takes centre stage.
“I’m just so happy to be here,” the former world champion, who did have a famous falling out with Ingle and was public enemy number 1 in Ireland when he fought Wayne McCullough, added.
“I see there’s going to be fireworks in Dublin on Saturday night. I can’t wait.”
The former featherweight king was in Dublin primarily to support his eldest son, Sammy Hamed, who fights for the third time on the bill, and anyone expecting the Hamed name to return quietly is mistaken.
True to form, Naz predicted entertainment.
“Sammy loves knocking people out and he’s like his daddy. He likes an entrance.
“The apple doesn’t fall too far from the tree. My Sammy is ready. He’s going to be looking to knock somebody clean out.
“If he doesn’t, he’s got trouble with me!
“I love knockouts. I want to see knockouts in Dublin. That’s what we’re here for.”
