Steward: Naz needs to turn it on

Naseem Hamed at Steward's Kronk Gym in Detroit

Naseem Hamed has been warned by trainer Emanuel Steward that he must put in a top-notch performance against Augie Sanchez.

Hamed makes the 15th defence of his WBO featherweight title against the American at Foxwoods Casino in Connecticut on Saturday.

Steward, who co-trains Hamed along with Puerto Rican Oscar Suarez, said: "I'm looking forward to Naz putting together another sensational performance.

"Having a good performance once every four or five fights is not going to make him look good to the general public,"

"He has not been on a consistent roll of impressive fights - we must be realistic.

"The only thing he showed in the (Paul) Ingle fight was that he still had that unbelievable, devastating one-punch power.

Penetrate

"But beyond that, only in the (Vuyani) Bungu fight I thought he looked great because the guy came in in defensive mode and Naz was still able to penetrate and knock him out with his hands still up.

"But one good fight out of every three or four is not good enough."

Steward wants Naz to put on a show

The experience Steward has provided the Hamed camp since he made his debut in his corner during the 11th round win over Ingle is beginning to reap rich dividends.

Steward has revamped Hamed's training routine after the successful, yet distinctly off-beat days of Brendan Ingle.

"He got involved with professional people and I think that gave him a lot more confidence," Steward added.

"Not having properly wrapped his hands, he has had injuries since he was around 10 or 11 years of age. Even in training he was very reluctant to spar.

"That's another area that we've put a lot of time and effort. Naz has the ability - and now he feels like a prize-fighter for the first time."