26 years ago
Naseem Hamed vs Wayne McCullough
Date: 31st October 1998
Venue: Convention Center, Atlantic City, New JerseyTitle: WBO World Featherweight Title
Promoter: Cedric Kushner Productions & America Presents
Tv: HBO Sports & Sky Sports
Naseem Hamed
(
30
-
0
-
0
)
Weight: 125 lbs
Wayne McCullough
(
22
-
1
-
0
)
Weight: 124 lbs
On Saturday, October 31, 1998, the Convention Center in Atlantic City, New Jersey, hosted the match between Naseem Hamed and Wayne McCullough. Promoted by Cedric Kushner Productions and America Presents, the fight featured Hamed defending his WBO World Featherweight title for the 11th time, along with a defense of the Lineal World Featherweight title. Both fighters entered the ring with impressive records: Hamed at 30-0-0 and McCullough at 22-1-0.
Hamed, from Sheffield, England, was known for his flamboyant style, and this Halloween night event was no exception. His theatrical entrance, complete with a graveyard-themed set and Michael Jackson's "Thriller" as a soundtrack, was a spectacle for the crowd. McCullough, hailing from Belfast, Northern Ireland, had previously held the WBC world bantamweight title from 1995 to 1997, adding to the high stakes of this match.
The fight was shown live on HBO Sports and Sky Sports, with Joe Cortez serving as the referee. Weighing in at 125 lbs, Hamed faced off against McCullough, who weighed in at 124 lbs. Prior to the bout, Hamed had boldly promised to knock McCullough out within three rounds. However, this prediction did not come to pass.
McCullough's resilience and strong chin kept him standing throughout the match, preventing Hamed from delivering a knockout blow. In the end, Hamed emerged victorious by unanimous decision, successfully defending his WBO World Featherweight and Lineal World Featherweight titles.
Scores: Clark Sammartino 116-112, John Stewart 118-110, Nelson Vazquez 117-111
This match marked Hamed's second fight in the USA, following his bout with Kevin Kelley. It was also his last fight with trainer Brendan Ingle and promoter Frank Warren, due to disagreements stemming from a book about Hamed that featured controversial statements by Ingle.
Naseem Hamed vs Wayne McCullough on YouTube
