The story of Prince Naseem Hamed, the flamboyant boxing sensation of the 1990s, is being retold with the release of the new film Giant. The movie, starring Amir El-Masry as Hamed and Pierce Brosnan as his trainer Brendan Ingle, delves into the spectacular partnership and its ultimately gruesome collapse, a rift that remains a defining chapter in British sports history.
The Sheffield Prodigy and His Maker
Brendan Ingle, a softly-spoken but formidable coach, operated from a gym on a forgotten hill in Wincobank, Sheffield. From this unassuming base, he crafted multiple boxing champions. His most brilliant and most damaging creation was Prince Naseem Hamed. Naz, with his unorthodox, flashy style and undeniable power, became a one-man boxing revolution, dominating the sport and drawing massive television audiences.
Ingle was Hamed's staunchest defender against accusations of arrogance. "I hear Naz described as awkward, and that is crazy," Ingle insisted back in 1994. "He is gifted." Hamed's early fights on ITV built a cult following, though not initially with the boxing establishment. After winning the European title in Sheffield in 1994 at just 20 years old, iconic commentator Reg Gutteridge famously told him, "Don't call us, we'll call you."
A Meteoric Rise and the Cracks Begin to Show
Hamed's ascent was relentless. He fought six times in 1994, five in 1995, and won nine world title fights across 1996 and 1997. His switch to Sky Sports made him the satellite channel's biggest star, and he racked up 17 consecutive televised knockouts, sometimes in front of ITV audiences exceeding 10 million.
However, by 1997, the relationship with Ingle was fracturing. In boxing, money disputes are often fatal to partnerships, and this was no exception. The breakdown became painfully public during Hamed's iconic fight at New York's Madison Square Garden against Kevin Kelley in late 1997. While Hamed won a wild fourth-round knockout, getting off the canvas to do so, it was clear the bond with his corner was broken.
"An unknown from Sheffield came to New York, set new featherweight records at the box office, attracted 12,000 people, got up from knockdowns and knocked out the local hero. That's a good British success story," reflected Hamed's promoter, Frank Warren.
The Irreparable Split and a Lasting Legacy
The acrimony only deepened. In 1998, after a savage seven-round stoppage of Wilfredo Vazquez in Manchester, Ingle launched a fiery defence of his worth, highlighting the years of gruelling work he had invested. "I've just spent 15 years, seven days each week and about eight hours each day. That's why," he declared, criticising the reluctance to pay him his due as Hamed's earnings skyrocketed.
The pair remained estranged until Ingle's death in 2018. Their story is one of unparalleled success and profound personal fallout. Prince Naseem Hamed is widely regarded as one of the top three British boxers of the last 60 years. Brendan Ingle is remembered as a coaching genius. Together, they were briefly unbeatable, but their split became as legendary and polarising as their triumphs inside the ring.
