Prince Naseem collects MBE, criticism of peers
Posted: Friday January 01, 1999 03:03 PM
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Hamed's (above) MBE award was criticized by former British heavyweight Henry Cooper Ben Radford/Allsport |
LONDON, England (AP) -- Prince Naseem Hamed, Britain's brash world
featherweight champion, has ruffled some feathers by being chosen
for a prestigious national honor.
Hamed, the undefeated WBO champ, was awarded the MBE (Member of
the Order of the British Empire) in the New Year's Honors List
announced Thursday.
Former British heavyweight Henry Cooper, one of Britain's most
loved sports figures, said it was premature to give the award to
Hamed.
"The kid is 24 and has won a couple of minor versions of world
titles," Cooper said. "I think they should have left it a couple
of years."
Cooper has criticized Hamed for his cocky attitude, including
his comments before the 1997 bout against American fighter Tom
"Boom Boom" Johnson.
"He told Tom Johnson he would send him to the graveyard and
that crossed the line of decent behavior," Cooper said. "Who
would want to talk like that? Naz has said some things that the
Boxing Board should have punished him for, but they didn't. Now
he's got the MBE."
The Guardian newspaper on Thursday described Hamed as "boxing's most talented but least charming ambassador."
Hamed, 31-0, with 28 knockouts, suggested that Cooper may be
jealous of all the money he is making.
"That's Henry's opinion and he stands alone with it," he said.
"I think I deserve this award as much as any other sportsman who
has been good for their country.
"Henry can keep banging on until the cows come home about my
attitude outside the ring. I haven't got a problem with my
attitude.
"I think what he's looking at is the stuff that I do inside the
ring and the big sums of money that I'm getting paid, which Henry
probably never got."
Hamed's former trainer Brendan Ingle, who split with the fighter
last month, also received an MBE.
Receiving a knighthood was Frank Williams, who has guided the
Williams Formula One auto racing team to nine manufacturers titles.
England soccer star Stuart Pearce, who missed a penalty during a
World Cup shootout in 1990 but made up for it by scoring in another
in '98, gets the MBE. Now in his 16th season, 36-year-old Pearce is
playing for Newcastle.
Denise Lewis, who won the European and Commonwealth heptathlon
gold medals during 1998, is awarded the MBE while Craig Reedie,
chairman of the British Olympics Association, receives a CBE
(Commander of the Order of British Empire).
Long serving cricket player, Angus Fraser, has been awarded the MBE for
being England's best fast bowler of his generation. Fraser was one
of the stars of England's series victory over South Africa and was
on the team that unexpectedly triumphed on Tuesday in the fourth
test against Australia at Melbourne.
Copyright 2003 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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