27 years ago

Date: 3rd May 1997

Title: IBF & WBO World Featherweight Titles

Promoter: Sports Network

Tv: Sky Sports

Naseem Hamed
( 25 - 0 - 0 )
Weight: 125¾ lbs

Billy Hardy
( 36 - 7 - 2 )
Weight: 126 lbs

On May 3rd, 1997, Naseem Hamed faced Billy Hardy at the Nynex Arena in Manchester, England. Hamed entered the ring with a perfect 25 wins, 0 losses, and 23 stoppages record. Meanwhile, Hardy was a popular UK boxer, holding the British & European Bantamweight titles from February 1987 to 1991 and the British, Commonwealth, & European Featherweight titles from 1992 to 1998.

At the sound of the bell, Hamed quickly took control of the fight, scoring two devastating knockdowns. His powerful rights and lefts smashed into Hardy's face, with a right hand eventually breaking Hardy's nose and cheekbone. Despite Hardy's efforts to take the fight to Hamed, he was unable to withstand Hamed's power punches and was knocked down twice. The referee, Paul Thomas, stopped the fight after only 93 seconds.

Many of Hardy's fans had travelled from Sunderland to support him, but their hopes were quickly dashed. Hamed's dominant performance left no doubt as to who was the superior fighter. This victory was a significant one for Hamed as it marked his first defense of the IBF World Featherweight Title and his sixth defense of the WBO World Featherweight Title.

It is worth mentioning that Hardy had previously challenged for a world title in January 1990, when he faced off against Orlando Canizales in Sunderland for the IBF World Bantamweight Title. Although he lost the fight, it was a controversial split decision. He faced Canizales again in May 1991 in Laredo, Texas, but this time he lost by an 8th round TKO.

The Naseem Hamed vs Billy Hardy match was shown live on Sky Sports Box-Office and was a testament to Hamed's popularity in the United Kingdom at this time.