The time had come for the arrogant and talkative boxer they called “The Prince” to conquer the most famous arena in boxing history. The talented puncher had already become a major attraction, a star in his native England, not to mention a world champion. With more than a little noise, the one and only Prince Naseem Hamed had arrived in the Big Apple. Never seeing a camera or microphone he didn’t like, “Naz” boasted to everyone who would listen about his supremacy. Now it was time for the daring Brit to enter Madison Square Garden, to showcase his in-ring skills, as well as his extravagant showmanship, to a fighting crowd in New York City.
Hamed’s takeover of New York and ninth defense of his WBO featherweight title was to come at the expense of Brooklyn’s own Kevin Kelley and turned out to be a night to remember for all present. Even before the fight began, Hamed’s extravagance was on display, with his usual elongated ring entrance complete with a lit catwalk and sparkling confetti. His patented front jump into the ring wasn’t left out either. And so, with The Prince finally in the ring, the show ended, but the real action and serious emotions were about to begin.
The fireworks began early, with former champion Kelley scoring the first of many knockdowns just two minutes into this unforgettable bout. After Hamed pressed Kelley against the ropes and unloaded a flurry, his textbook lack of technique got him into trouble. Backing away with his hands down and his chin exposed, he was sent to the canvas by a right hand from the New York native. Although Hamed was up and looking unharmed, he had definitely conceded the first round, although that didn’t stop the Brit from staring bravely at his opponent as the bell rang.
Kelley’s success continued at the start of the second, when he performed a deft reversal maneuver to deliver a left hook that landed cleanly and forced Hamed to touch the canvas with his gloves, marking another knockdown. Kelley sensed that his opponent was injured and pursued him aggressively, looking to land another damaging blow. But trading in the pocket with the ever-dangerous “Naz” proved unwise, as the Prince counterattacked Kelley with an uppercut that sent the American tumbling backwards into the corner.
Fortunately for “The Flushing Flash,” the referee ruled it a slip, allowing him to maintain his stranglehold on the round. But Kelley’s lead was short-lived, as Hamed landed a right hand to the chin that dropped his opponent. Kelley got up and when the action resumed it was even more intense, both fighters landing big punches as the Garden crowd roared, both looking to drop another convincing bomb to close the show.
The pace slowed in the third round, with neither fighter establishing a clear lead, but it was a brief respite as the fireworks resumed in the fourth. Midway through, southpaw Hamed landed two big left hands, the second of which put Kelley on his trunk seat again, evening the knockdown count at two each.
Hamed resumed his attack and was beginning to take control, until he was caught by a counter right hook that again forced his glove to touch the canvas. He did not hurt Hamed, but his opponent was credited with another fall. Kelley again decided to chase the finish and landed a series of hard punches, but it was this fighting instinct that would ultimately prove his demise. Hamed landed several hard counters, stopping Kelley in his tracks, and then came the final blow, a hard left cross that put Kelley on the ground for the count.
With a total of six falls, Hamed vs Kelley gave fans their money’s worth and more. It was a gripping battle full of thrills and spills and confirmed that Britain’s brash and talkative fighter was indeed an American star. “Naz” not only talked about a great game, but he also backed it up with great hits. Under the bright lights of the legendary Madison Square Garden, the grandest stage, Prince Naseem Hamed won new fans while showing the entire world that there was no stronger puncher in the featherweight division.
-Jamie Rebner
