ALAN BALDWIN, London | Friday 10.45am.
NASEEM Hamed confidently predicted on Thursday that he would silence his critics and beat South Africa’s Vuyani Bungu in style when he defends his WBO featherweight title on Saturday.
”I do believe there’s going to be a stoppage or a knockout but I can’t give you a prediction of exactly when,” the champion declared. ”But I’ll win and win convincingly.”
But Bungu’s backers said the cocky Briton, unbeaten in 33 fights, may have made the mistake of his life.
South African promoter Rodney Berman said after a head-to-head meeting between the two men that there is no doubt who is the hungrier for victory.
”If you know where Vuyani Bungu is coming from, then you will know that they will have to carry him out of the ring. You have to understand where he comes from to understand his motivation.
”Vuyani comes from total abject poverty,” he added.
”His family could not afford to give him bread to go to school.”
Berman said that Hamed, with his Ferrari cars and millionaire lifestyle, has lost that hunger while Bungu — known as ”The Beast” and whose last of two defeats in 39 fights was eight years ago — has the chance of his life.
”He (Hamed) might have too much wealth. It’s really hard to keep motivating yourself for the defence of your title,” said Berman. ”I don’t think Naz understands what he’s up against on Saturday night. We know. You guys don’t know. ”It’s the biggest fight in South African boxing.”
Hamed insisted in his usual brash manner that he is in the shape of his life and has been helped by a former sparring partner of Bungu’s who ”showed me all his tricks”.
Berman accused Hamed of being ”rude and arrogant” in expecting the challenger to stand in the ring for 10 to 15 minutes but Bungu’s manager, Mzi Mnguni, was more sanguine.
”Naseem can have his show,” he declared.
”When the bell rings, that when the fight starts”. — Reuters
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