Ring rusty Hamed plans return after three year absence

NASEEM HAMED yesterday announced he is planning to return to the ring in the Middle East this summer after a three-year absence.

The former WBO featherweight champion, who will be 31 next month, last fought against Spaniard Manuel Calvo in February, 2002.

Hamed said: “I’ve not said anything publicly until now but I am planning to fight again in the summer. We have not selected my opponent but the fight will take place in the Middle East and that is definite.”

However, Hamed’s comeback plans have been criticised by his former promoter Frank Warren, who said that he doubted whether Hamed could ever return to the level he had before his only career loss to Marco Antonio Barrera in 2001.

Warren said: “What does Hamed want to come back for? He’s got his few quid out of boxing and he’s been out of the ring for nearly three years.”

Hamed, whose family are from Yemen, has often spoken of his desire to defend his title in the Middle East. Such a move would not be entirely without precedent. Chris Eubank returned from a year-long retirement to fight Luis Barrera in Cairo in October 1996.

Meanwhile, Ricky Hatton will set off on a luxury Caribbean cruise today secure in the knowledge that the biggest fight of his career is in the bag. Hatton has landed the world title fight he craved against the IBF light-welterweight champion Kostya Tszyu.

Promoter Frank Warren announced the completion of the big-money deal yesterday for the showdown at Manchester’s MEN Arena in the early hours of Sunday, June 5.

Meanwhile David Joyce (St Michael’s, Athy) is expected to renew rivalry with David Barrett (Rylane) over the coming weeks in his quest for another title at the national intermediate championships which get under way at the National Stadium tonight.

The pair fought a desperately close contest at the tournament in Aghabullogue recently where a tight majority verdict went to the Athy man, who is a multi-national champion.

David Barrett’s older brothers, Seanie and Declan, won national intermediate titles before Seanie went on to take two senior titles and Declan made at least one final.

There is an entry of 21 for 69kg division and here again Rylane will have a representative in Kieran Twohig who is back training with the club after a spell with the Army.

Bantamweight Paul Duncliffe will be boxing out of the Leeside/Lough club this weekend in a division where David Oliver Joyce (St Michael’s, Athy) will be favourite for the title.

Leeside/Lough will be represented by Andrew Thornton in the lightweight division where Sean Cummiskey (Monivea) and Barry Gillespie (Twintowns) are interesting entries.

The two O’Leary brothers from Rylane will also be in action. Donal Óg boxes in a very hot 75kg division where the Munster champion, Brendan O’Brien (The Glen) is an absentee having sustained an injury sparring recently.

Colm boxes at light heavyweight where Paddy Glackin will be bidding to emulate his illustrious St Francis clubmate, Andy Lee, by winning the title.

Michael Fouhey (St Colman’s) is a value-for-money heavyweight who likes to mix it and whether or not he wins the title he will provide fans with plenty of excitement in a division that also includes Tom Murray (Rylane) and William Byrne (Knocknagoshel).