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A new film titled *Giant* explores the life and career of former world featherweight boxing champion Prince Naseem Hamed, shedding light on his rise from a small working-class boy to a global sports icon. The movie delves deeply into the complex and often strained relationship between Naseem and his trainer Brendan Ingle, illustrating how close partnerships can evolve and sometimes fracture over time. Professor Geoff Beattie, a psychologist at Edge Hill University in Lancashire whose work inspired the film, comments that the bond between Naseem and his trainer was more akin to a father-son relationship, though it faced significant tension as Naseem’s confidence and fame grew.
Professor Beattie first connected with Naseem at a Sheffield gym in the early 1990s when the boxer was still a child. He was drawn to the world of boxing while researching the impact of unemployment in post-industrial communities, particularly how former steelworkers and miners coped with economic shifts. Beattie found something unique in the boxers he met—discipline, purpose, and dreams that set them apart. His encounters led him to Brendan Ingle’s gym in the Wincobank area, where he documented the trainer’s mentorship of Naseem in his books *On the Ropes* and *The Shadows of Boxing*. According to Beattie, Ingle was a charismatic figure who used unorthodox methods to boost his fighters’ confidence, such as having them recite nursery rhymes to overcome embarrassment and self-doubt.
Experience of watching Naseem transform from a slight child into a dominant sports figure inspired much of Beattie’s fascination with the story. Born in Sheffield and of Yemeni descent, Naseem initially faced racial taunts but was encouraged by Ingle to channel that adversity into motivation. Over time, Naseem’s showmanship became legendary: he adopted the nickname “Prince,” wore distinctive leopard-print trunks, and entered ring matches performing somersaults, captivating audiences worldwide. However, the growing success brought challenges to his partnership with Ingle. While Naseem credited his natural talent as a gift from God, tensions escalated due to disputes over money and recognition for his trainer, which ultimately weakened the deep connection they once shared.
Brendan Ingle passed away in 2018 at age 77, having shaped the careers of several world champions but never fully resolving his differences with Naseem. Despite this, Naseem, now 51, has expressed a desire to honor his trainer’s influence, acknowledging that much of his ability and foundation came directly from Ingle’s guidance. Ingle’s daughter Tara spoke warmly about the film, pleased with its portrayal of her father’s generosity and expressing a wish that he could see the tribute made to his remarkable life and legacy
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