Boxing: Hamed goes for round two knock-out

Naseem Hamed is predicting he will knock out the Argentinian Remigio Molina in the second round of their World Boxing Organisation featherweight title fight in Manchester tomorrow night.

Hamed, suffering from a heavy cold, was taken to the 11th round by his previous challenger, Manuel Medina, but yesterday he insisted: "There is nothing wrong with me this time. I'm healthy, fit and feeling hot. You will see the proper Naz. Call me brash or arrogant if you want, but I'm a winner."

Hamed, making his fourth defence of the title, mocked the challenger, who is unbeaten in 27 fights in Argentina.

Hamed said: "Apparently, he has never watched a video of me and prefers cartoons. That's a joke. I'm also told he's a bit of an electrician. In that case he will get sparked in the second round."

Handing Molina one of his own videos at yesterday's press conference, Hamed told the challenger: "Please don't pull out of the fight after watching it."

He also appealed to the World Boxing Council bantamweight champion, Wayne McCullough, telling the Irishman: "Let's get it on; winner takes all."

n Ladbrokes has cut the odds on Mike Tyson, Naseem Hamed and Steve Collins winning their respective world title fights tomorrow night. A spokesman said that Tyson and Hamed are both rated at 1-20. Collins' odds have been cut to 2-7 from 1-3 after a number of four-figure bets. Nigel Benn, at 5-2, has few takers.