Badillo will test Hamed

Puerto Rican Jose Badillo hopes to evoke the spirit of his childhood idol Wilfred Benitez when he challenges for Naseem Hamed's WBO featherweight title in Sheffield on Saturday night.

Badillo (26), appeared cool and confident at yesterday's press conference, despite having been confirmed as Hamed's opponent only two days ago.

He comes into the fight planning to add to an impressive list of Puerto Rican world champions, none more famous than Benitez.

Benitez turned professional at the age of 15, and in March, 1976, he took the WBA light-welterweight title from Antonio Cervantes on a split decision at the age of 17 years, five months and 24 days. He remains the youngest man to win a world title.

Benitez went on to win the welterweight and light-middleweight belts, earning a record of eight wins from 10 world title fight. Two years ago - a shadow of the man who was known for his lightning speed and skill - he was inducted into the Boxing Hall of Fame in New York.

Badillo has an impressive record of 20 wins from 21 fights, the only blot being a controversial split-decision loss to the then IBF featherweight champion Tom Johnson in 1995.

Badillo put the American on the canvas three times, something even Hamed did not manage to do when the Sheffield star wrested that same IBF title from Johnson in February.

The prospect of facing Hamed doesn't bother Badillo in the slightest. Speaking through an interpreter, he said: "Naz is an excellent fighter but on Saturday he will have many problems.

"I've seen him fight before, but he has never been in the ring with someone like myself. I'm the better fighter and I will win."

Badillo had been after a shot at Hamed for some time, and the feeling was obviously mutual as promoter Frank Warren jumped to replace scheduled opponent Victor Llerena as soon as a bout for Badillo in Los Angeles fell through a week ago.

Training, he insists, has not been a problem and the prospect of fighting in Hamed's own backyard appears to be a source of encouragement.

"I have boxed in front of 136,000 screaming Mexicans in 1993, so it doesn't matter," he reasoned. "I'm the best boxer in the division and on Saturday night I will prove it to Naseem."

At 5 ft 6 in Badillo boasts a three-inch height advantage over Hamed and, given the nature of Hamed's recent strolls against Juan Cabrera and Billy Hardy, there is a real danger that Badillo will not be given the respect he deserves.