Fellowship of the ring

Pierce Brosnan and Amir El-Masry talk to LYNN RUSK about their new boxing biopic Giant, exploring the relationship between world champion Prince Naseem Hamed and his coach Brendan Ingle

- LYNN RUSK

WHEN British-Yemeni boxer Prince Naseem “Naz” Hamed won his first world featherweight title in 1995, he became the first British Muslim boxer to claim a major world championship.

Known for his unorthodox style and flamboyant, arrogant persona, he quickly became a global sporting icon inside and outside the ring.

Born in 1974 and growing up in an immigrant family in Sheffield, Naseem was a protege of Irish boxing trainer Brendan Ingle, who spotted his talent at an early age and helped take him from the streets of Sheffield to the pinnacle of the boxing world.

Now, a new film starring Amir El-Masry as Hamed and Pierce Brosnan as Ingle explores their unlikely relationship and Hamed's rags-to-riches underdog journey.

Written and directed by British-Indian filmmaker Rowan Athale, Giant also explores the racism and islamophobia that Hamed faced in the Britain of the 1980s and 90s.

Pierce, 72, says he watched one of Prince Naseem's fights in New York during the height of his career and even met Brendan Ingle in person.

"I knew about Prince Naseem. I had actually seen him box in New York, and I'd met Brendan but I didn't realise it was Brendan, if that makes sense," explains the former James Bond star.

The Irish actor says Rowan's writing captivated him and accurately captures the relationship between Brendan and Naseem.

"The script was so well-crafted. When it came to me, it just enchanted me.

"The way the film portrays the story and the relationship between Brendan and Naseem is so beautifully woven in, it packs a punch."

Amir, 35, says meeting Naseem helped him to understand the need the boxer felt to build a tough persona.