Dave Allen targets Naz ringwalk in South Yorkshire
Naseem Hamed could be back in the spotlight at a South Yorkshire boxing show - and two of his sons may also feature in the ring.
That is the hope of heavyweight Dave Allen, who believes Hamed’s long association with promoter Frank Warren, as well as his own affection for the former world champion, could help make it happen.
Allen is headlining a Warren show at Doncaster Rovers' ground on May 16 and wants the best in the way of ringwalks and the undercard.
Attracting Naz there, along with his fighting sons Aadam and Sami, would boost the show's profile across the globe, increase ticket sales and draw more TV viewers.
Allen planted the seed into the mind of former world champion Naz last Saturday. He has asked him to do it before, at a Sheffield Arena show in October, but it never materialised.
Last Saturday, though, Allen had been a guest in the dressing room occupied by super lightweight Aadam at the Co-op Live Arena, Manchester, where Hamed junior beat Worcester journeyman Michael Mooney over four rounds.
Allen said it had been a "mad" atmosphere for an hour and a half, with Naz holding court there, among an entourage of around 40 people and rapper Aitch.
"You can't beat a Hamed fight. I love his dad. I'm a fan still, at 34" said Allen.
"When he hugs me I'm like a teenager!
"I think Adaam will box on my undercard in Doncaster, which would be amazing.
"So Naz may finally walk me to the ring. Or we may get a flying carpet, who knows?"
Allen, 25-8-2, will be taking on 6ft 6ins Croatian Filip Hrgovic.
The support fights have yet to be announced but the Doncaster man said Aadam and possibly his brother Sami, a 2-0-0 super welterweight, could feature.
"They are great friends of mine now and I would love that" he said.
Neither of the Hamed brothers, who were born in Sheffield, have boxed in South Yorkshire before.
Aadam, 25, is a citizen of the United Arab Emirates, while Sami, 27, lives in London.
Allen also reflected on Sheffield middleweight Shakiel Thompson’s defeat to Brad Pauls on the same Manchester bill, insisting it will not harm him in the long term.
But he insists it won't do him any harm in the long run.
"He was boxing well, but Pauls was just too experienced and hardened.
"Shak is a consummate pro; he'll have a couple of days off and will be back in the gym. That won't be the end of him. I think the experience will do him the world of good."
As an emerging force, the Handsworth middleweight needs to box more fighters at that level, rather than some he had boxed previously.
"Shak will be back" said Allen.
That was echoed by Manor Boxing Academy coach Amer Khan who acknowledged: "A great fight - well done to Brad Paul, Shak is a great man and will bounce back from this bigger, better and stronger."
Meanwhile, plans for a debut boxing night at The Old Forge, Hillsborough - including a performance from Aadam Hamed, have had to be postponed.
Rileys gym coach and promoter Gary Longmore posted: "It’s with a heavy heart that we are having to announce the postponement of our first independent professional boxing promotion that was scheduled for April 18.
"Unfortunately due to the loss of bouts, due to medical reasons, and opponents pulling out, we have made the difficult decision to seek a new date.
"We are all hugely disappointed and frustrated with the situation but that’s boxing and we will be announcing a new date.
"Thank you to all those that had planned on coming to the original show date and we hope to see you all at the revised one. We plan on making it even better."