Hamed's career in pictures

Naseem Hamed was just 17 when he made his debut in 1992 - but there was plenty of evidence of what was to come.

The Sheffield fighter convincingly beat Ricky Beard inside two rounds in Mansfield.

By 1994 Hamed had beaten Italy's Vicenzo Belcastro to take the European super bantamweight title aged 20.

That title win meant Naseem was now facing a different calibre of opponent - not that he seemed to be fazed by this.

Hamed was getting noticed more and more for his total confidence and flamboyance in victory.

HAMED FACT FILE Born: 12/02/1974 Turned pro: 14/04/1994 Divison: Featherweight Record: 36-1-0 Alias: Prince Naseem Hamed Height: 5ft 3in Reach: 68in Trainer: Maurice Core Promoter: Barry Hearn

When you throw in the distinctive leopard-skin shorts and a trademark somersaulted entrance into the ring, you can see why the TV men soon came knocking.

The big fight came a year later in 1995 when Hamed was matched up with WBO featherweight champion Steve Robinson at Cardiff Arms Park.

Hamed took his chance with relish, putting in a sparkling performance in Robinson's backyard to knock the Welshman out in eight rounds and take his world title.

Naseem was even more lethal in his next fight - he put Said Lawal on the floor with his first punch and finished the Nigerian off in just 35 seconds.

Hamed's entrances into the ring soon became as notable as his opponents exits from it, as he turned up the glitz and glamour levels.

A throne, a flying carpet and a circle of steel and generous helpings of smoke and fireworks have all accompanied his entrances into the squared circle.

A comprehensive eight-round victory over American Tom Johnson at the London Arena meant Hamed captured the IBF title - and paved the way for him to fight in America.

Hamed arrived in New York with a bang when he knocked out former world champion Kevin Kelley in the fourth round at Madison Square Garden.

In what was probably the fight of 1997, Hamed got up off the canvas three times to knock Kelley out with a thumping left and thrill the American audience.

KEY FIGHTS 10/04/1995: Beats Steve Robinson in Cardiff to win WBO featherweight title 30/9/1997: Beats Tom Johnson in London to take IBF title 22/10/1999: Wins WBC title beating Cesar Soto on points in Detroit 8/4/2001: Loses after 12 rounds to Marco Anonio Barrera

1998 saw victories over Wilfredo Vazquez and Wayne McCullough but also acrimonious splits as Hamed parted company with both his promoter and trainer.

Trainer Brendan Ingle had been with Nas since he was a precocious seven-year-old.

Undoutbably it's his influence that Hamed has since missed the most - he also left Frank Warren's promotional stable and decided to promote himself through his brother Riath and Barry Hearn.

Hamed picked up the WBC title in 1999 when he beat Cesar Soto on points in Detroit.

But that was only papering over the cracks - his fallibility was becoming more apparent with each knockdown.

Hamed's career defining fight came in 2001.

He would be king if he could beat highly-rated Mexican Marco Antonio Barrera.

Hamed arrived in the Las Vegas with trademark glitz and glamour carrying all the cards to complete a full house.

But he left a busted flush after a comprehensive beating from Barrera on a unaminous points desicion.

It was his first defeat and he took it with suprisingly good grace.

But you get the feeling it wasn't just his unbeaten record that Hamed lost in Las Vegas that April night.

And after an unconvincing points win over Manuel Calvo in his comeback fight - it remains to be seen if we have seen the last of the Sheffield man.