British boxing promoter Frank Warren today offered former World Boxing Organisation (WBO) featherweight champion "Prince" Naseem Hamed an opportunity to regain his belt.
Warren wants Hamed, who no longer has a US television deal, to fight new champion Juan Pablo Chacon on a US TV network with whom he has worked out a deal.
"Hamed has got no excuses. I'm offering him the perfect opportunity to get his belt back and it will be shown on the American TV Network Showtime who stated they would love to broadcast the fight," said Warren.
"The question is if Hamed still has the heart and desire to fight again and become the 'legend' that he speaks about".
Argentina's Chacon won the title in June when he stopped Istvan Kovacs in the sixth round. Hamed refused to fight Kovacs when the Hungarian was the mandatory challenger and was subsequently stripped of the title.
Kovacs went on to face Antonio Diaz for the vacant crown which he won with a 12 round TKO and made one defence shortly before meeting Chacon.
"Hamed has said that his next fight will be in Britain, as I've said before, the fight can be staged here and I will even put in it on in his home city of Sheffield," Warren said.
AFP