Can Hamed come back from defeat?

Prince Naseem Hamed faces a major blow to his career following his loss to Mexican Marco Antonio Barrera in Las Vegas.

Can Hamed come back from his first professional defeat?

Emmanuel Steward, Hamed's trainer was nervous about the fight and had good reason to be.

Hamed lost comprehensively to Barrera in a 12-round thriller where the Mexican was always in control.

Barrera simply out boxed Hamed, shut him down and forced the Briton into the unlikely position of aggressor.

Can Hamed regain his confidence after this major defeat?

Should he look for a re-match with Barrera?

Tell us what you think.

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Once Naz realised that he had the power to KO people with one punch he just relied on that simple approach. Both Ingle, Suarez and Steward have encouraged Hamed to fight this way and this has been his undoing. Naz fighting at the best of his BOXING ability could beat anyone in the world, but whether he will ever do this again is a different matter.
Tom Lodziak, UK

Boxing needs naz. Look at the heavyweight arena, it's dead. There is no guarantee of the Lewis-Tyson clash, and the Eubank-Benn-Collins era is gone. What now for boxing, but Naz. He is destined to be a legend so long as he keeps his head up and keeps going. We need entertainment, and he talks the talk and does the job.
Mark Chona, England

Hamed was not only outsmarted but outskilled and outclassed in every way. This fight was not close. This was Hameds FIRST real competition and his first loss. Anybody see a connection.

Barrea whipped him so badly that if there was a rematch, all Hamed could do is try and look like he had learnt something from his earlier defeat. Is Barrera's mind going to stop working between now and the rematch?
Paul, USA

I have been a fan of Hamed for around eight years but in his last few fights he has been very disappointing. I believe that sacking Ingle and bringing in his brother was his downfall. In the run up to the fight I thought he looked poor and he should concentrate on working hard to regain the form of five years ago when he beat Tommy Johnson and Robinson
Figures, Scotland

I think Naz was at his best four or five years ago which is sad for someone with so much potential who is still so young. I hope he comes back and shows the world that Britain can produce credible world-class fighters.

Oh yes and to the American who said "another over-hyped British fighter" excuse me? just who is the heavyweight champion of the world and who is the current Olympic super heavyweight champion or don't they count?
Ray Cappi, UK

Remember Chris Eubank? He was thought of the best for his division until he lost his first fight and it totally ruined his career. Maybe the same will happen to Naz!
Sean Lawson, Scotland

Hamed, despite losing, still has the ability to knock Barrera out with one punch, Junior Jones proved it with a decent shot that sent him sprawling. Against Hamed everyone saw Barrera do everything right, and Hamed everything wrong.

I can't speak highly enough of Barrera after the Morales fight (which everyone agrees that he won) and the way he beat Hamed. One thing that stuck in my head though was his quote ''Hamed doesn't hit as hard as they say he does''
Sharma Haslam, London, England

I believe that if Hamed works on his strategy he will easily overcome Barrera in the rematch

  Ajay, UK

Naz, should not bother about a rematch until he goes back to the gym and learns to raise his hands up.. " HE HAS TO RAISE is hands up" He can't beat well-schooled fighters like Barrera, Morales, with his head straight and hands down. And all that talk about Maywheather should please END.. Naz will be slaughtered.
ChiChi Anene, USA

I am amazed at some of the comments made in this column. The guy loses a fight to another great boxer. Don't right him off. Hype, is there anyone out there who doesn't hype himself? Brendon Ingle has got his money and should just look for another boxer to earn him some more.
Sam, UK

Maybe the rematch will be a much better fight and the beginning of Barrera vs. Hamed 2,3 and 4, fights that could go down in history as the best fights in history.
Juan Manuel Flores, Mexico city, Mexico

Congratulations Barrera. He should take Naz on again and beat him twice. Naz was a hyped up fraudulent product of contemporary boxing, a mythical legend. Barrera is a real fighter and it showed. Time for Naz to come home and fight people like Micky Cantwell and Richard Evatt.
D.Fahy, Ireland

I think Naz was a winner in defeat. It will teach him how to focus, spend less energy showing off, and focus his energy in the ring.
Manfred Geb, Namibia

Nobody should be surprised. Whereas five years ago he was sensational, untouchable, he has been unimpressive in the last two or three years. I think he hit his peak at a very young age, but now, at ripe old age of 27, he is simply well past his best. He will get back in the ring, but I cannot see him turning back the clock.
Roger Moore, Mexico City

I am big boxing fan. When I saw the fight. I saw a fear look in the prince's eyes. He was clearly outmatched.
Arnold Ramos , USA

How can you talk about Naz's career being over?? He's 27! Yes he's cocky, yes his opponents before haven't been the toughest. But because a cocky boxer loses one fight, doesn't mean he has so much shame that he will quit! He will want to fight better and with more determination and technique - if anything just to beat Barrera and win back his title.
Lloyd, England

Naz has waited until he is 27 to fight a real world class fighter. Have any other "legends" waited so long! He will never fulfil his potential and when he is an old man he will look back on the decision to sack Brendan Ingle with real regret. The result in any rematch will be the same and his fans should be thankful it wasn't Floyd Mayweather in the ring with him!
Colin Rylett, England

Hamed is a limited fighter who is never going to be able to handle any world class boxers with solid skills that are not already at the down slope of their careers. As for a superstar like Mayweather, who would kill Barrera, I think it would be crime to even sanction such a fight. Also, mark my words, Naz and Riath will NEVER choose to exercise that rematch clause!
P.L., USA

There is a difference between confidence, cockiness, and sheer brashness. The Prince borders on the ridiculous. The other night not only showed cracks in his persona, but true deficiencies in his boxing ability. Is he talented? Yes. Will he get better? Probably. That said, I am glad to see the better boxer prevail, and look forward to seeing more legitimate boxers share the spotlight. It is just a shame that Barrera will have to waste another precious fight on Naz when Barrera/Morales was a much better fight.
Jim, USA

I have followed Marco's career since he came to the US at 18 and knew when I saw his first fight here against Esteban Ayala, that he had what it takes to be a champion. He has heart & soul and technique. Hamed only has his punch and unorthodox style, which isn't enough to confound a true champion like Barrera. I expect a rematch would have similar results.
Susan Bernard, United States