Naseem Hamed's former promoter Frank Warren has poured scorn on the former WBO
featherweight champion's comeback announcement.
Warren ruled out any chance of Hamed reclaiming past glories which earned him
millions of pounds and briefly made him the hottest property in world boxing.
Hamed, who will be 31 next month, says he will return to the ring for the
first time in three years for a fight in the Middle East this summer.
The Sheffield star has not fought since a below-par points win over Spaniard
Manuel Calvo in London in 2002.
Hamed told the Sheffield Star: "I have not said anything publicly until now
but I am planning to fight again in the summer.
"We have not selected my opponent but the fight will take place in the Middle
East and that is definite."
But Warren is wary of Hamed's comeback announcement and questioned his
motivation for announcing his return.
Warren said: "What does Hamed want to come back for? He has got his few quid
out of boxing and he has been out of the ring for nearly three years.
"Is he going to come back and beat fighters like Erik Morales, Marco Antonio
Barrera or Scott Harrison? The answer is no.
"It is that time of year again when he starts talking about a comeback but it
has not happened yet."
Hamed has never officially retired from the ring but has disappeared from the
boxing scene and split with his trainer Oscar Suarez and his most recent
promoter Barry Hearn.
He failed to take up options for a rematch with Marco Antonio Barrera, who
inflicted his only professional defeat in 2001.
And he reneged on promises to return and meet Manchester's former WBC title
challenger Michael Brodie two years ago.
But Hamed, whose family is from Yemen and who retains strong links with the
country, has always spoken of his desire to fight in the Middle East.
And that may ultimately push him into making a comeback apparently against the
wishes of the majority of his family and friends.
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