British boxing fans and film enthusiasts alike are gearing up for the release of Giant, the highly anticipated biopic chronicling the extraordinary life and career of Prince Naseem "Naz" Hamed. Set to hit cinemas on January 9, 2026, the film promises to capture the rags-to-riches story of one of Britain’s most flamboyant and controversial sporting icons, tracing his journey from a modest upbringing in Sheffield to the dizzying heights of global boxing stardom.
Produced by none other than Hollywood legend Sylvester Stallone, Giant brings together a stellar cast, with Amir El-Masry—familiar to many from his roles in The Crown and The Night Manager—taking on the role of Hamed. Pierce Brosnan, another household name, portrays Brendan Ingle, the Irish-born trainer who played a pivotal role in shaping Hamed’s career. The film’s production pedigree alone has generated significant buzz, but it’s the story at the heart of Giant that truly stands out.
Hamed’s beginnings were humble. Born in 1974 to Yemeni parents, he was one of nine siblings living above the family’s corner shop on Newman Road in Sheffield. His father, who initially worked at a local steelworks before running the store, introduced Naseem and his brother to boxing at the age of seven, hoping to help them stand up to bullies at school. The boys found their way to Brendan Ingle’s famous Wincobank gym, situated in a former church hall just a stone’s throw from their home. According to The Star, Ingle quickly recognized Naseem’s special spark, recalling how the young fighter stood up to playground bullies with a fearlessness that would later define his boxing persona.
Under Ingle’s mentorship, Hamed’s rise was meteoric. By the age of 20, he had claimed the European championship, and just a year later, he became a world champion. Between 1992 and 2002, Hamed amassed a professional record of 36 wins and only a single loss—to Marco Antonio Barrera in 2001. His fighting style was as distinctive as his personality: quick, unorthodox, and devastatingly powerful, earning him a reputation as one of boxing’s hardest hitters. But it wasn’t just his fists that captured the public’s attention—Hamed’s flamboyant ring entrances became the stuff of legend. Whether arriving on a flying carpet, dancing to Michael Jackson’s "Thriller" surrounded by mock gravestones, or being driven through crowds of adoring fans, Naz made every fight an event. As The Star reports, these spectacles were as much a part of his brand as his knockout punches.
Hamed’s talent and showmanship brought him fame and fortune. At the height of his career, his net worth reportedly soared to £50 million, thanks to multi-million pound purses and lucrative sponsorship deals. He lived the high life, driving luxury cars, residing in opulent homes, and rubbing shoulders with celebrities. Yet, he never forgot his roots. In a memorable gesture in 1997, Hamed arrived at his parents’ flat with two bin bags stuffed with cash—£500,000 in total—which he emptied onto the floor as a heartfelt thank you for their unwavering support. "It’s my way of saying thank you for helping me become what I am," he reportedly told them, as recounted by The Star.
The film doesn’t shy away from the challenges Hamed faced outside the ring. Growing up in 1980s and 1990s Britain, he encountered racism and Islamophobia, themes that Giant explores with sensitivity and nuance. Hamed’s journey wasn’t just about boxing glory; it was also about overcoming societal barriers and representing a new face of British sporting success. According to the BBC, the film highlights these social challenges, giving viewers a glimpse into the broader context of Hamed’s ascent.
Yet, as quickly as Hamed rose, his professional career came to an abrupt end. In 2002, at just 28 years old, he retired from boxing due to a persistent hand injury. Despite his early departure from the sport, his record—36 wins, 1 loss—cemented his legacy as one of the greatest featherweights of his era.
Post-retirement, Hamed’s life was marked by both triumph and controversy. In 2005, he was involved in a near-fatal car crash on Ringinglow Road while driving a £320,000 supercar at 90 mph. The crash left the other driver with severe injuries, breaking almost every major bone in his body. Hamed pleaded guilty to dangerous driving and, in 2006, received a 15-month custodial sentence and a four-year driving ban. He served 16 weeks in Moorland open prison and wore an electronic tag upon release. The incident had far-reaching consequences: Hamed was stripped of his MBE, awarded in 1999 for services to boxing, and expressed deep remorse for missing the birth of his child during his incarceration. "It was hard," he said, reflecting on the experience and his gratitude that no one had died.
Despite these setbacks, Hamed’s influence endures. His sons, Aadam and Sami, have both taken up boxing, a journey captured in the BBC documentary Born to Brawl. The legacy of his partnership with Brendan Ingle, though complicated, remains central to his story. Their relationship began to deteriorate in the late 1990s, with Ingle later reflecting that Hamed had become increasingly difficult to train. Still, Ingle never doubted Hamed’s potential, once comparing his capabilities to those of Muhammad Ali. When Ingle passed away in 2018, Hamed paid tribute, stating that the trainer was fundamental to his success and would be deeply missed.
As Giant prepares to make its debut, anticipation is building not just among boxing fans, but also among those interested in stories of resilience, ambition, and redemption. The film promises to celebrate Hamed’s remarkable achievements while offering a candid look at the complexities of his journey—from overcoming prejudice and poverty to the pitfalls of fame and the search for personal redemption.
With its star-studded cast, high-profile production team, and a narrative rich in drama and humanity, Giant is poised to remind a new generation of the unforgettable impact of Prince Naseem Hamed—both inside and outside the ring.
