During a talk on failed drug tests in boxing, host Simon Jordan brought up a previous estimate from panelist Spencer Oliver, who suggested the figure could be as high as 70 per cent. Hamed immediately disputed the statement.
“That’s a heavy statement,” Hamed told talksport Boxing when the number was repeated during the segment.
“Just that alone for me personally, don’t take it personally, it’s like breaking down the fighters, 70% of them,” Hamed said.
It was vintage “Naz” to see him come out swinging for the fighters like that. He’s always had loyalty to the trade, and he clearly sees a 70% figure as a slap in the face to the guys who live clean and put in the grueling work.
Oliver responded by saying it was his opinion based on repeated failed tests and suspicion surrounding the sport, rather than evidence against specific names. Hamed was not convinced and said accusations should only be made when a fighter has actually been caught.
“You can’t accuse any individual unless they’ve been kicked,” Hamed said.
Hamed’s point about “breaking down” fighters is the most valid part of his argument. When someone like Spencer Oliver throws out a massive number like 70%, it creates a permanent cloud of suspicion.
This means that even when a fighter puts on a legendary, career-defining performance, the first thing a section of the fanbase will do is look for a reason to discredit it. For a legend like Hamed, this is an insult to the discipline the sport requires.
Hamed is a show me the receipt kind of guy. By insisting that you can’t accuse anyone until they’re posted, he’s trying to maintain some measure of due process. In his eyes, if you haven’t failed a VADA or UKAD test, you’re a clean athlete. Period.
The interesting part is that Hamed is not soft on the issue. Supporting strict accountability rules, he says people should not be labeled as frauds without evidence. If you do test positive, you own it, regardless of the tainted meat or supplement excuses.
This is a fair position. He wants to protect the reputation of the sport’s good actors while ensuring that the hammer still falls on anyone caught breaking the rules.
