Prince Naseem Hamed Crowns Muhammad Ali Boxing's 'Ultimate GOAT'

Nearly three decades ago, Prince Naseem Hamed told the world he'd be remembered as a bigger name than Muhammad Ali. Now the man who conquered the 126lb division with WBO, IBF and WBC gold has changed his tune, telling BBC Sport that Ali is boxing's ultimate GOAT — and repeating it for emphasis, as only Naz would.

It's a striking about-face from a fighter who built his brand on swagger. Hamed breathed life into a featherweight division US and UK broadcasters had long ignored, dragging the lower weights onto pay-per-view purely on the strength of his speed, footwork and power. Love him or loathe him, everyone watched.

From Untouchable to Human

The invincibility lasted until 2001, when Marco Antonio Barrera simply out-thought and out-fought him over 12 rounds in Las Vegas. It was Hamed's first professional defeat, and it reset the entire narrative around him. He'd been beaten not by a bigger puncher but by a smarter operator.

He fought only once more. A decision win over European champion Manuel Calvo drew a reported 11 million viewers to Sky Sports before Hamed walked away, citing hand injuries. He was 28 — an age when most fighters are still chasing their peak, not writing their epilogue.

Why Ali Still Stands Alone

So when a fighter that brash hands the crown to someone else, it means something. Ali remains the only three-time lineal heavyweight champion in the sport's history, and his wins over Sonny Liston, Joe Frazier and George Foreman are still the reference points for greatness under pressure.

Hamed's endorsement lands with the weight of a man who once thought he'd top that list himself. He didn't. Few ever will. And judging by how firmly he said it — twice — Naz seems entirely at peace with second-guessing his younger self.