DALLAS, TX – After almost 25 years on the promotional side of boxing it takes a lot to get me very excited about anything that goes on in this sport except a SuperFight such as Floyd Mayweather vs. Manny Pacquiao.
However, yesterday was one of those days. I was talking to a friend, M. Akbar Muhammad, a former Executive Vice President of Bob Arum’s Top Rank, Inc. in the 1980s.
He wanted me to write a press release about an activity he will be involved in soon in just a few days in Amman, Jordan. Deep in the Middle East.
Within seconds, he patched into the phone call one of my favorite fighters and personalities during my career in the form of Prince Naseem Hamed!
He really does have all that charisma that you might think is canned. It’s genuine. He hasn’t changed a bit except he seems much wiser at the ripe old age of 36.
Here is the press release in its entirety:
Matt Stolow – Publicity Dallas, Texas [email protected]
Midrar Sports of Jordan Brings Prince Naseem Hamed in for Big Middle East Boxing Plans and Events
DALLAS, TEXAS – Former two-time world boxing champion “Prince” Naseem Hamed is making an important trip to Amman, Jordan later this week to meet with a King, conduct press conferences and other events hosted by Midrar Sports of Amman.
No. It’s not about a comeback for the former featherweight champion who compiled a professional record of 36-1, (30 KO’s), who mesmerized fans worldwide with his style and charisma.
“I want to help the youth in the Middle East get motivated through boxing,” said Hamed. “I want to help inspire the youth that believe they have no other life in front of them.
“I want to build Prince Naseem Hamed Boxing Institutes of Excellence throughout all Middle East countries and build a bridge of cooperation and tolerance from the Middle East to The West. My primary focus is to promote good that will have universal value for all humanity,” Hamed said.
Hamed believes he has the plan.
“I started fighting at age seven until I was 28 at the world-class level. I understand the dynamics needed to keep the youth motivated after they have started. Nobody can provide the drama that I can. Not all will be successful in boxing, but maybe a few will that can make an Olympics, or be a professional contender or a world champion,” said Hamed.
Among those Hamed will meet in Amman will include His Majesty King Abdullah II of Jordan;the Jordanian National Boxing Team; and H.H. Alsharif Mohammed Alluhaymaq, Chairman of Midrar Sports.
“We are excited to welcome the Prince here,” said Samer Kamal, General Manager of Middle East sports giant Midrar Sports. “I believe we have a lot of the same hopes for our youth through the outlet of sports and we believe his Boxing Institutes will be successful,” Kamal said.
Kamal was also a bronze Medalist in Tae Kwon Do at the 1988 Seoul, Korea Summer Olympic Games.
