24 years ago

Date: 19th August 2000

Title: WBO World Featherweight Title

Promoter: Prince Promotions

Tv: HBO World Championship Boxing & Sky Box Office

Naseem Hamed
( 34 - 0 - 0 )
Weight: 126 lbs

Augie Sanchez
( 26 - 1 - 0 )
Weight: 126 lbs

On Saturday, August 19, 2000, Naseem Hamed faced off against Augie Sanchez at the Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, Connecticut. The bout was promoted by Prince Promotions and was a defense of Hamed's WBO World Featherweight Title. Hamed, hailing from Sheffield, England, entered the ring with an impressive 34-0-0 record, while Sanchez, from Las Vegas, Nevada, boasted a 26-1-0 record. Both fighters weighed in at 126 lbs, and the match was shown live on HBO World Championship Boxing & Sky Box Office. Referee Mike Ortega officiated the intense match.

The first round saw both fighters sizing each other up, but the intensity ramped up in the second round. Sanchez dropped Hamed with a powerful right hand, but the referee ruled it a slip, causing controversy. Sanchez nearly floored Hamed again with a 2-punch combination, but the fighters continued to trade blows until the bell. In the third round, Sanchez connected with two right hands, causing Hamed's nose to bleed, but the Sheffield fighter stayed on his feet. Hamed finally landed a strong left hook, sending Sanchez to his knees, but the referee once more ruled it a slip. Despite this, Hamed continued to pummel Sanchez, opening a gash above his eye as the round came to a close.

The fourth round proved decisive. Hamed landed a solid left hand, which caused Sanchez to stumble into him and hit the canvas. However, Hamed's subsequent body shot was deemed a foul, and the referee docked him a point instead of awarding a knockdown. Undeterred, Hamed unleashed a devastating 4-punch combination with 40 seconds left in the round, flooring Sanchez.

Referee Mike Ortega immediately stopped the fight, declaring Hamed the winner by technical knockout at 2:34 in the fourth round. Sanchez remained on the canvas for several minutes and ultimately needed to be stretchered out of the ring.