ie They are  NOT coming from overseas !!

Prince of the Ring

The Naseem Hamed Story 

- by Gavin Evans -

ISBN: 1861050216   

Publisher: Robson Books, London, UK

Published: 1996

Binding: HARDcover with Dustjacket  280 pages portait illustrations

Condition: NEW & UNread condition! HERE in MELBOURNE! A retired display copy as illustrated!

Edition:  FIRST UK EDITION: 1st printing  1996

UNOPENED  SCARCE   HARDCOVER with Dustjacket ~  IN  MELBOURNE  ... 

WHY do ebayers buy from US?

Because you KNOW what you're getting. My close up photos are of the actual item!!

Remains UNread - it was the display copy. It is Tight -  neat, no inscriptions or marks within. Appears as in my photos - this is the exact copy!!  A nicely preserved copy - superb!

No discernible shelf wear, the interior is tight and spotlessly clean with 280 pages with colour illustrations scattered throughout.

Incredibly SCARCE  COLLECTABLE FIRST Edition - this is a NEW copy!!

In original RED CLOTH HARDcover binding, in publisher's pictorial dustcovers, unclipped, which are in perfect condition. THIS title was first published in London, UK by Robson Books in 1996  THIS is THAT printing - not a later one. A TRUE FIRST EDITION!

(Stored with 2018!)

Measures approx. 6½  x 1 x 9¾ inches  16½  x 24cms.

We're selling a number of wonderful BOXING biographies currenlty - email if you have an interest!!

SYNOPSIS ....

A biography of world champion boxer, Naseem Hamed, nicknamed The Prince, looking at the rise to fame of the twenty-two year old Arab Yorkshireman, examining his childhood in the tough Wincobank district of Sheffield, the development of his religious beliefs, and his discovery at Ingles boxing gym.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Gavin Evans was born in London and grew up in Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, San Marcos, Texas and Johannesburg where he was intensely involved in anti-apartheid activities in the 1980s, both semi-legally and in the underground. Along the way he completed degrees in economic history, an LLB law degree and an MA and PhD in politics while working as a journalist for several South African newspapers and as a foreign correspondent for IPS. He returned to London early in 1993 and continued to work as writer and broadcaster. He also wrote a series of boxing books - 'Prince of the Ring' and 'Wicked!' on Naseem Hamed, 'Mama's Boy' on Lennox Lewis and 'Kings of the Ring' on heavyweight history. He also wrote a memoir, 'Dancing Shoes is Dead' (Doubleday & Black Swan), which was shortlisted for the Alan Paton non-fiction prize. His last two books have related to genetics. He lives in North London and has two daughters.

Very  Informative read!

REVIEW

Publishers Weekly ……… First published in England in 1996, this is a lively - albeit uncritically praising - biography of Naseem Hamed, a young featherweight boxer born of Yemeni immigrant parents in 1974 who has made a reputation as a flamboyant motormouth quite deadly in the ring. Evans, a contributing editor to Boxing World, traces Hamed's development from his introduction to the sport in 1981 at a boys' club in Sheffield, England, through his outstanding record as an amateur, with 62 wins in 67 bouts and several junior championships, to his turning pro at age 17 and his meteoric rise. Hamed, who calls himself "the Prince," has held various international titles - bantamweight, super-bantamweight, featherweight - as his weight fluctuated. Particularly interesting is the reaction in his father's native Yemen, where Hamed is a national hero and has even appeared on postage stamps. Hamed, who models himself in part on Muhammad Ali, is a flamboyant figure known for his elaborately staged ring entrances. In December, he put his money where his mouth is when, fighting in the U.S. for the first time, he gained his 29th victory in as many bouts with a fourth-round knockout of Kevin Kelley at Madison Square Garden. If Hamed continues to be successful, there will be more books written about him--one hopes more balanced and less starstruck than Evans's lightweight account.

FIVE STARS … Excellent book. Includes many never little known details about The Prince's rise to the championship.

PROOF THAT BIOGRAPHIES SHOULD BE WRITTEN AFTER RETIREMENT …….    This biography prematurely tries to make Mr. Hamed sound like a ring legend. This was sometime after he came off the canvas twice to knock out Kevin Kelly but long before Marco Antonio Barerra exposed him as a flashy, one-dimensional fighter who couldn't adapt. It's really not worth reading unless Hamed's win streak ends up being a thing of the past, and he's reduced to being a journeyman. Then read it for a good laugh. And pick up James "Quick" Tillis's book too, if you want to be more amused.

HASSEEM  Vs  BRENDAN….  I was deeply impressed by this book. I admire Mr. Hamed, but am not an advocate for him. This book explicates not only the rise of Naseem Hamed (WBO Featherweight Champion), but reveals the often painful relationship between between a boxing trainer and his pupil/fighter. What makes this book so wonderful, is its ability to describe the human imperfections of both Mr. Hamed and Mr. Ingle (Hamed's trainer/manager) and how the personalities of these men sowed the seeds of conflict and resentment which led to their breakup, despite Mr. Hamed's obvious physical and mental gifts and startling success. I tend to see champions, in any sport, as "perfect" individuals, rather than the often flawed people they may be. This book leaves you sorry for both men, yet perhaps admiring them more resolutely, despite their imperfections.