Naz ‘regrets’ falling out with Brendan Ingle – ‘This man was a huge part of my life’
‘Prince’ Naseem Hamed has expressed his ‘regret’ over the decline of his relationship with legendary trainer Brendan Ingle. The highly awaited film ‘Giant’ premiered this week in the UK, showcasing the intricate bond that the world champion boxer had with Ingle, who mentored Hamed at the renowned Wincobank gym located in Sheffield.
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Hamed delivered a stunning performance back in 1995, stopping Steve Robinson in eight rounds to claim the WBO world champion title.
Having turned professional at the young age of 18, Hamed captured the European championship by 20, and then, in 1995, after knocking out Steve Robinson in the eighth round, he became the WBO featherweight world champion.
One of his most memorable victories happened against Kevin Kelly in 1997 at Madison Square Garden when, despite being knocked down three times, he came back to defeat the American in the fourth round, successfully defending his WBO title. However, escalating tensions lead to a split between Hamed and Ingle in December 1998.
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Following the difficult separation, Hamed would participate in only six more fights, including a disappointing defeat to Mexican legend Marco Antonio Barrera in his second-to-last match in 2001. After reflecting on those times, the 51-year-old expressed his disappointment about how their relationship faltered, exclusively sharing with Sky Sports: “You could say the word regret.
“We all have regrets, right? Watching the film for the first time was likely more challenging than any other time. Each time I watch it, it becomes a little easier. This man played an enormous role in my life.
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Dominic Ingle praises the influence that Hamed had on the Ingle Gym during the 1990s.
“My entire initial understanding of fighting, that movement, the basics, the foundation—where else could you find that?” One thing he absolutely appreciated was my entire flamboyance and confidence. I was hesitant about performing those front flips in that initial fight. I found it so cringe-worthy and wasn’t keen on doing that. But he told me to do the flips, saying, ‘They’ll remember you!’
“I felt like saying I didn’t want to do them. But for Brendan, I decided to do them, and I did.”
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Discover some of the most epic ring walks from the iconic Naz.
Ingle, who immigrated from Dublin, established the Wincobank gym in the 1960s to offer guidance and structure to troubled youths. He would later achieve remarkable success, mentoring fighters like Johnny Nelson, Junior Witter, and Kell Brook to world championship titles. Ingle passed away in 2018 at the age of 77. His partnership with Naz, however, propelled him to prominence, placing him on the global stage.
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Pierce Brosnan discusses what motivated him to portray a role in the film ‘Giant’.
In the film ‘Giant’, Pierce Brosnan takes on the role of Ingle, and the former James Bond actor feels honored to have been cast for the character. “It was a significant challenge. The script drew me in. I loved the narrative. I dedicated myself to studying Brendan, reading literature about him, and immersing myself in his life,” he stated. “I traveled to the gym in Sheffield. Being Irish myself and understanding the immigrant experience—I moved to England at 11 in 1964—made me relate to Brendan’s journey in those times.
Image:
Pierce Brosnan, Amir El-Masry, and ‘Prince’ Naseem Hamed at the UK gala screening of ‘Giant’.
“In Sheffield, with aspirations of becoming an exceptional boxer, fueled by a relentless ambition similar to my own as an actor; experiencing setbacks yet finding the strength to rise again. I found a strong connection with him. He was a remarkable man in so many ways, creating a community and a refuge for young individuals who felt lost in life. He provided them with passion, love for life, and discipline. For me, there was a profound empathy towards him.”
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Here are five of Naz’s most incredible knockouts.
Amir El-Masry portrays Naz, and having grown up looking up to Hamed, he confesses that taking on this role was intimidating, admitting: “Huge shoes to fill and an extraordinary privilege to play him. He was a hero of mine in my younger years. It was quite a task. Securing the role was one thing; executing it was another!” Engaging in four weeks of intensive training, committing 12 hours daily at the gym, we meticulously analyzed his fights. Since he was my idol, the pressure was significant. However, we succeeded. I take great pride in what we created, with the fight scenes appearing fantastic.” You can witness the dynamic between Naz and Brendan in the film ‘Giant,’ currently showing in cinemas across the UK.
Published: 2026-01-09 11:30:00
source: www.skysports.com
