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Who did it better? The feud between Chris Eubank and Prince Naseem Hamed

For boxing fans, there isn't many better to have laced up a pair of gloves than 'Prince' Naseem Hamed.

Bringing the glamour, swagger and arrogance, 'Prince' Naseem Hamed will go down as one of the all-time greats, if not greatest, to have represented the UK. He was the definition of a showstopper.

Fans will never forget the instant classic against Kevin Kelley at Madison Square Garden, nor his extravagant ring entrances or outrageous trash talk, which he ultimately backed up with unmatched talent in the squared circle.

The Yorkshireman was involved in 17 world title bouts and deservedly got inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2015.

The late, great Brendan Ingle also warrants a huge mention - the trainer who masterminded Hamed's career and many others. He will forever remain in our hearts and at the core of boxing brilliance.

These days, Hamed - a former two-division champion - remains in the public eye and has been seen at ringside for the majority of marquee fights across the globe prior to the global pandemic. 

When it comes to being unspoken, Hamed hasn't changed - especially when on media duty. Remember his astonishing analysis on Chris Eubank Jr. after his defeat to George Groves in 2018? We'll remind you, grab the popcorn…

"He is not going to win"

"Which camera can I look into to tell Chris Eubank Jr. to finish because I don't want to see him hurt anymore," Hamed said live on ITV pay-per-view in the post-fight analysis.
"I hate to say this, but the fact is he is not at this level and he is not as good as he has been saying he is

"That is the be all and end all of Chris Eubank Jr. He is not going to win unbelievable things.

"Let us talk reality. Is this guy a world-beater? No, he is not. Two years, three years he still won't be a world-beater. The guy is not good enough."
It all stems back to his fall-out with Eubank Sr. at a press conference in 1998 ahead of Hamed's 10th title defence against Wilfredo Vazquez.

Rocking up late to the press conference, Eubank, who was headlining the event under Frank Warren, decided to give Hamed and Ingle a piece of his mind. Read the transcript below and let us know who you think won the verbal exchange.

Eubank: Naz betrayed me, I got 'backstabbed'

"Naz has backstabbed me, he has been snidy towards me, he has been underhanded towards me. Anyone who treats me like that, I don't have anything to do with, whether it's visual or from a hearing point of view.

"I was kind, I showed him friendship. I tried to steer him."

Ingle interrupted Eubank and said: "Chris tried to nick Naz off me years ago and Naz gave him the rods, that's the problem.

"Chris Eubank came to my gym. I paid him £300 a week. Johnny Nelson stood him on his head. Errol Nelson stood him on his head and he would not fight him."

"Naz has got more talent in his little finger than [Eubank] has ever had. "He came up to our gym and he watched Naz jump the ropes, he watched Naz strut around the place and he went out and made a fortune, not a problem.

"But at the Boxer's Association in London, he got Naz when he was up at the top of the tree, got him onside and tried to steal him from me. Eubank was lucky I didn't finish up setting about him, I might have been 54 at the time but he would have been in a bleeding fight, you take that from me. He is a phoney."

A seething Eubank asked Naz if he agreed with Ingle to which he replied: "Yeah I do." (The full footage is on the link below):

Ouch.

As crazy as that argument was over two decades ago, the rivalry between the duo doesn't seem to be easing any time soon.

In an epic response by Eubank years later, the British enigma explains to Adam Smith and Nelson on how Hamed aspired to be exactly like him when growing up.

One wonders whether 2021 will finally be the year that Hamed and Eubank put their bad blood behind them and make amends. It is highly doubtful but we can hope!

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