BARRY McGuigan has launched a stinging attack on Naseem Hamed before tonight's world featherweight title fight at the Newcastle Arena.

Hamed, described by promoter Frank Warren as "British boxing's real super legend of the ring", faces unbeaten Puerto Rican Daniel Alicea in the second defence of his World Boxing Organisation crown.

The bout will be beamed live coast-to-coast across America where Hamed is hoping to make the kind of impact that has made him a superstar here and in his ancestral home, the Yemen.

But McGuigan, who held the World Boxing Association title 10 years ago before losing to Steve Cruz in the desert heat of Las Vegas, believes the brash 22-year-old could be headed for a humiliating fall.

"There's an inclination in England for people to get carried away, to go over the top, to wax lyrical about somebody," said McGuigan.

"But the question must be posed - who has Hamed ever fought?

"With all due respect to the men he's faced, they have not been of the highest calibre.

"Until we see him against somebody who can test him and extend him we can't talk about him in world terms.

"The right way to fight him, in my opinion, is to stay on top of him, crowd him, don't give him any room.

"Nobody's done that to him. And no one has yet planted a solid punch on his jaw.

"Nobody boasts about their chin but the ability to take a solid hit is an essential part of a fighter's make-up.

"Longevity depends on this and Hamed's career prospects will too."

McGuigan's comments have seriously angered Hamed's trainer, Brendan Ingle.

He countered that what Hamed has done to his 22 previous opponents he can repeat against any fighter in the world.

"He makes moves I could only dream about," said Ingle.

"He can switch, he can hit from angles, he innovates all the time - I just sit and watch in amazement.

"If someone wants to knock Naseem Hamed they should first make themselves aware of the facts.

"Unless boredom or complacency set in I can't see him get beat."

I can't see anything other than a Hamed stoppage win tonight, probably in seven rounds.

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