27 years ago

Date: 19th July 1997

Venue: Wembley Arena, London, England

Title: IBF & WBO World Featherweight Titles

Promoter: Sports Network

Tv: Sky Sports

Naseem Hamed
( 26 - 0 - 0 )
Weight: 125¾ lbs

Juan Gerardo Cabrera
( 24 - 2 - 0 )
Weight: 125 lbs

On Saturday, 19th July 1997, Naseem Hamed successfully defended his IBF and WBO World Featherweight Titles against Juan Gerardo Cabrera at the Wembley Arena in London, England. Promoted by Sports Network and shown live on Sky Sports Box-Office, the fight ended in a technical knockout at 2:17 in the second round. Hamed, hailing from Sheffield, England, entered the fight with an unblemished record of 26 wins, while Cabrera, from Justiniano Posse, Argentina, held a record of 24 wins and 2 losses.

Cabrera, who had never been stopped in his previous 26 fights, struggled against Hamed's unorthodox style. Despite having 20 knockout wins in his career, Cabrera had not competed at the Argentinian National Championship level, and his opposition had been relatively unknown. His inexperience was evident in the ring as he failed to mount a substantial attack against Hamed.

Throughout the match, Cabrera seemed overwhelmed by Hamed's signature lead uppercut and powerful punches. Early in the second round, Hamed managed to cut Cabrera above his left eye. Hamed continued to dominate the fight, landing a barrage of punches and leaving Cabrera defenseless against the ropes.

Referee Lou Moret, recognizing the one-sided nature of the fight, called a halt to the match in the second round, with Cabrera unable to continue. This victory marked Hamed's 14th consecutive knockout and his eighth championship win within two rounds.

The fight was broadcast live on terrestrial TV in the United States, further raising Hamed's profile in the international boxing community. After the match, Hamed confidently proclaimed, "I think now the Americans know the best featherweight in the world is a British Arab from Sheffield."