BOXING Hamed banks on third round

BOXING

Naseem Hamed predicts a third-round win against his Mexican challenger Enrique Angeles in defence of his World Boxing Council international super- bantamweight title on Saturday.

The Sheffield-based fighter will be looking for his 18th victory in as many professional bouts. Hamed is apparently prepared to pay any price to be the best fighter in the world. He says he blanks out fears of doing serious damage to his opponents before he gets into the ring.

Turning to this weekend's contest at Shepton Mallet against Angeles, Hamed said: "I am planning for a good two rounds mentally to win him over. The third round I will go out to physically win him over.

"I think I have definitely got a gift and been blessed. I think I am good enough to be a legend; good enough to be great."