Prince faces dangerous pauper

Three years ago a world-title defence for Naseem Hamed against the South African Vuyani Bungu would have been regarded as a mere formality, with a relatively light-hitting challenger apparently tailor-made for another exuberant display of power punching from the Prince.

How times change, because more recent form suggests Hamed faces one of the toughest nights of his career when he defends his World Boxing Organisation featherweight title at London Olympia tonight.

The decline in Hamed's fortunes has been mystifying, as much to the man himself as those who admired the 1997 vintage.

Perhaps there is no real significance to be attached to Hamed's decision that his flamboyant ring walks, which attracted a new generation of fans but irritated the traditionalists, are to end after tonight. Or perhaps it stems from a realisation that such gaudy excesses only serve to highlight the inadequacies which may follow.

"He is a great natural talent who could become one of the greatest prize fighters ever, but the difference now is that his opponents are not just happy to pick up their purses, they are coming thinking they can win," says Hamed's trainer Emanuel Steward.

Bungu points up those words with a desire that is almost frightening. The 33-year-old South African has not lost a fight in eight years, claims never to have been floored, and is a clever ring technician with no conspicuous weaknesses save for the lack of a truly concussive punch.

Thirteen successful defences of the International Boxing Federation superbantamweight title have provided ample financial reward, but he sees tonight as the moment his life changes forever.

"I know I will win. If I do not make mistakes and just wait, Naseem will provide me with my opportunity. The secret is in concentration and waiting for him to do something wrong, because he will," says Bungu.

With a sentence to provoke a shudder from those who remember a similar intensity of desire in the likes of Gerald McClellan and Michael Watson, Bungu's manager, Rodney Berman, said: "They will literally have to carry Vuyani out of the ring if he is to lose. People should see where he comes from in East London. Six of them lived in two rooms. His father was asthmatic and his mother a domestic helper who couldn't see her family for weeks on end. That is poverty. And he is still hungry for success."

Hamed agrees that Bungu's style, neat and orthodox, should suit him. "He is coming to fight and he will bring out the best in me. He is very good, and very experienced but I will be too fast and too strong.

"I'm still learning. I have worked on my balance and different defensive moves, but the most important thing is that I'm a winner. Believe me, he will get beat. Watch me dismantle him."

The words sound impressive, but the memory lingers of a man who was smashed to the floor by Kevin Kelley, ran out of gas against Paul Ingle and was dragged into an ugly brawl against Cesar Soto in his most recent contest last autumn.

Nothing in Bungu's make-up suggests he is likely to be quickly knocked out, and it would be no surprise if a gruelling and technically interesting contest went the full 12 rounds before Hamed prevailed on points.