27 years ago
Naseem Hamed vs Kevin Kelley
Date: 19th December 1997
Venue: Madison Square Garden, New York
Title: WBO World Featherweight Title
Promoter: Sports network
Referee: Benjy Esteves Jr
Tv: HBO Sports & Sky Sports
Naseem Hamed
(
28
-
0
-
0
)
Weight: 126 lbs
Kevin Kelley
(
47
-
1
-
2
)
Weight: 125½ lbs
On Friday, 19th December 1997, Madison Square Garden in New York witnessed an unforgettable boxing showdown between Naseem Hamed and Kevin Kelley. Promoted by Sports Network and refereed by Benjy Esteves Jr., the WBO World Featherweight Title match saw Hamed defending his title for the ninth time. Entering the ring with a 28-0-0 record, Hamed faced off against Kelley, who boasted a 47-1-2 record. Weighing in at 126 lbs, Hamed stood just half a pound heavier than his American opponent. The fight, shown live on HBO Sports & Sky Sports, would become an action-packed slugfest, with each fighter scoring three knockdowns over the other.
The first round saw Hamed exerting dominance with his unorthodox fighting style, but Kelley managed to catch Hamed with a leaping right hook in the final minute, sending him to the mat for the fight's first knockdown. Hamed quickly regained his footing, avoiding further damage in the round. Round 2 commenced with Kelley as the aggressor, scoring a second knockdown on Hamed with a left hook. Hamed then took a standing eight count, but Kelley failed to capitalize on his momentum, falling to the canvas due to a slip.
In response, Hamed landed a straight right hand, sending Kelley down for his first knockdown of the fight. Both fighters made it out of the round, adopting a more cautious approach in the third. The action resumed in the fourth round, with Hamed's two left hooks sending Kelley to the canvas for the second time. Kelley managed to continue, but Hamed's relentless power punches kept him on the defensive.
During the final moments of the fight, Kelley countered with a right hook, resulting in Hamed's third knockdown as his right glove touched the canvas. After resuming the fight, Kelley attempted to regain momentum, but Hamed's hard left sent him down for the third time. Unable to recover, Kelley remained on his knees as the referee reached a ten-count, handing Hamed the knockout victory at 2:27 of the fourth round.
Naseem Hamed vs Kevin Kelley on YouTube
