Back On Business: Naseem Hamed vs. Wilfredo Vazquez

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After his dramatic clash with Kevin Kelly, undefeated WBO Featherweight Champion Naseem Hamed returns to England to defend his title against former three-division champion Wilfredo Vazquez. Things get testy from the start as they get in each other's faces even before the introductions. Vazquez lands a straight right hand in the third round but eats a counter left hand from Hamed that puts him down on his backside. After the fourth round, Vazquez gets in Hamed's face and tries to butt him. In the sixth, Hamed steps on Vazquez's foot and lands a straight left hand that puts the challenger on the canvas again. Shortly thereafter, Referee Geno Rodriguez has to stop the bout to have one of the ring ropes examined and, after a five-minute delay in which Vazquez tries to butt Hamed again, removed completely. At the beginning of round seven, Vazquez runs into a big left hand that drops him flat on his back. He beats the count but is badly hurt and goes down again from another left hand. Although Vazquez gets up once more, Hamed punishes him until Rodriguez stops the challenger on his feet.