Naseem Hamed’s controversial fighting style led to heavy criticism on this present day in 1999.
As recently seen with a BKFC fighter playing chess in between rounds, showmanship will all the time be an element of combat sports.
These sorts of antics from skilled athletes often result in a divisive response from the fans and folks involved in the game.
That being said, Conor McGregor, who’s currently suspended from fighting within the UFC, didn’t turn into the most important star within the history of MMA through his performances alone.
One fighter who defines the showman in boxing was often scolded for his actions each out and in of the ring, together with his bout on October 22, 1999 being no different.
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‘Prince’ Naseem Hamed was criticized for body slamming Cesar Soto
On this present day in 1999, ‘Prince’ Naseem Hamed put his WBO (and lineal) featherweight title and undefeated record on the road against WBC titleholder Cesar Soto.
It didn’t take long before there have been quite a few controversial talking points emerging from the Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, Michigan.
Following a heated debate regarding their weight, there have been head-butts and illegal shots after the break from Soto.
Nevertheless, Hamed, who was well-known for his many tricks, wasn’t going to be outdone by his opponent.
After putting his opponent in a headlock within the fourth round, which led to him being warned by the referee and deducted a degree for unsportsmanlike conduct, ‘Prince’ took it up one other notch in the next round.
Hamed ducked under Soto’s punches before lifting him up within the air on his shoulders and over his head to slam the WBC champion down.
After the undefeated Brit secured the unanimous decision win, Soto compared his rival to WWE legend Hulk Hogan and labelled him a “paper champion”.
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Naseem Hamed’s antics against Cesar Soto cost him an enormous fight with one other world champion
Legendary boxing promoter Bob Arum, who was Cesar Soto’s promoter, was highly critical of Naseem Hamed’s actions within the bout.
He named it ‘the worst fight’ he’d ever seen and claimed, “That wasn’t boxing. That was wrestling.”
In consequence, despite Hamed’s wishes, Arum vowed to not have any of his fighters compete against ‘Prince’, which included the WBC super bantamweight champion Erik Morales, who won on the identical night.
Hamed ended up being stripped of the WBC belt that he won by beating Soto just several months later as a consequence of the sanctioning body not recognizing the WBO and subsequently not allowing the fighter to maintain each belts.