Naseem Hamed reacts to claim 70% of boxers are doping

During a talk about failed drug tests in boxing, host Simon Jordan brought up a previous estimate from panelist Spencer Oliver, who had suggested the figure could be as high as 70 percent. Hamed immediately challenged the statement.

“That’s a heavy statement,” Hamed said to talksport Boxing when the number was repeated during the segment.

“Just that alone for me personally, don’t take it personal, it’s like tearing down the fighters, 70% of them,” Hamed said.

It was vintage “Naz” to see him coming out swinging for the fighters like this. He always had loyalty to the craft, and he clearly views a 70% figure as a slap in the face to the guys who are living clean and putting in the grueling work.

Oliver responded by saying it was his opinion based on repeated failed tests and suspicion around the sport, rather than evidence against specific names. Hamed was not convinced and said accusations should only be made when a fighter has actually been caught.

“You can’t accuse any one individual unless they’ve been popped,” Hamed said.

Hamed’s point about “tearing down” fighters is the most valid part of his argument. When someone like Spencer Oliver throws out a massive number like 70%, it creates a permanent cloud of suspicion.

It means that even when a fighter puts on a legendary, career-defining performance, the first thing a segment of the fans will do is look for a reason to discredit it. For a legend like Hamed, that’s an insult to the discipline the sport requires.

Hamed is a show me the receipts kind of guy. By insisting that you can’t accuse anyone until they’ve been popped, he’s trying to maintain some level of due process. In his eyes, if you haven’t failed a VADA or UKAD test, you’re a clean athlete. Period.

The interesting part is that Hamed isn’t being soft on the issue. By supporting strict responsibility rules, he’s saying don’t label people as cheats without evidence. If you do test positive, you own it, regardless of the tainted meat or supplement excuses.

It’s a fair position. He wants to protect the reputation of the sport’s good actors while ensuring the hammer still drops on anyone caught breaking the rules.