By Chris Curry, Belfast, Northern Ireland

24.08 - "I am going to be a legend" I recall the words. Loud, brash a phenomenon with a license to thrill. Just what has happened to the one time little Arab Kid, from above the corner shop in the steel city of Sheffield, who so strongly believed "I will never be beaten".

Naseem Hamed had the world at his feet, plus the desire to become a Boxing legend. From seven years old the young Naseem lived and breathed Boxing with his Irish mentor, Brendan Ingle. The little Prince strongly believed that he would become a Champion of the World. He possessed chilling punching power with a flashy unorthodox style which banbozzolzed opponents en route to landing a knock out punch.

I remember "Dark" words from Naseem Hamed, along the lines of "You would have to cut my arms off to beat me, there is no way I'd lose a fight like that". Speaking of ring warrior Nigel Benn, who retired on his stool against Steve Collins. Unlike Naseem Hamed, Benn tasted defeat and returned to win to further his career. When it came to a war, a battle of wills Benn stood up to it with a warriors heart. But when you have been to war in the ring time and time again the well runs dry some day. The warrior is humbled. But like all great warriors they are remembered for their battles and this is what Nigel Benn is famous for. Naseem Hamed spoke those words to a fighter who earned his name "The Dark Destroyer". A fellow countryman who at the end of his career fought battles that were beyond his duty.

Those words came back to "Destroy" the Prince when Marco Antonio Barrera faced him. What happened to "I will never be beaten" and "You would have to cut my arms off to beat me"? Naz had two arms and was fresh. He lacked the warriors heart. He may have thought he had it when Kevin Kelly floored him and in return he laid him out. But when you are in the face of defeat and you can't find the knockout, you have to grit your teeth, dig in and go to war. That was the difference between Benn and Naseem. Naz often said "I have the heart of a lion" but when it came to it his roar was worse that his bite.

After more than a year out Naseem Hamed returned to the ring to meet Manuel Calvo of Spain. Calvo a former European Champion took on the former WBC/IBF/WBO Featherweight World Champion losing a twelve round verdict. Victory any way in the eyes of Calvo who was not expected to last. The physiological damage was clear in Naseems loss against Barrera. The damage started even before the fight. In a clear points win against Calvo, Naseem was booed and produced a performance that would form a queue to further tarnish him.

Now the Featherweight class has a new competitive wave with the lower weight fighters moving up. Bantamweights, Super Bantamweights all wanting there Featherweight glory and their own chance to beat the Prince and one another. Barrera has remained busy facing Morales again leaving the winner in the balance, with many split views. The competition is tight. Johnny Tapia winning the IBF Featherweight Championship was turned down by the Prince for a showdown at Madison Square Gardens. Johnny who is unafraid to face the best is now going to fight Marco Antonio Barrera on November 2nd. Erik Morales will fight Paulie Ayala on November 16th. Derek Gainer is in the picture with his WBA Championship. These are the type of fight mix's Naseem Hamed should be in and winning, if he wants his status "Legend". Or does he really want it?

The "Dark" words to Nigel Benn may have come to "Destroy" him, when the Prince did not know the true meaning of what it takes to win a war.

What are you views on Prince Naseem Hamed and were he will go from here? Does he have what it takes to define the meaning legend, is the desire to continue really there?

Questions or Comments to chris_esboxing@hotmail.com