Following the highly anticipated announcement of Sami Hamed’s Misfits debut and signing, the son of boxing legend Prince Naseem Hamed had previously articulated his rationale for choosing the crossover boxing route over the traditional professional path his brother, Aadam, has embarked upon. This decision led to his inaugural bout on the Misfits Boxing card, an event that ultimately delivered a mix of expected outcomes and unforeseen circumstances.
Sami Hamed was initially scheduled to face Jesse Clarke, who had taken to social media prior to the event to express his disdain regarding Hamed’s lack of a professional bout at the age of 25. The fight, part of the MF & DAZN: X Series 17, took place on August 31st in the 3Arena in Dublin, Ireland.
Sami’s brother, Aadam, notably made his professional debut on the Usyk vs Dubois undercard in Poland, securing a dominant performance against a clearly inexperienced fighter in 1-2 Vojtech Hrdy. Since then, Aadam has continued his professional journey, building an undefeated record of 7 wins and 0 losses, with 3 knockouts, under Queensberry Promotions. His subsequent victories include a points decision over Santiago Garces in September 2024, TKO wins against David Kanalas and Jesus Gonzalez in December 2024, and a further points victory against Ezequiel Gregores in July 2025.
The Sami Hamed Misfits debut was slated to be part of a bill topped by KSI, who was set to return for his first bout since losing to Tommy Fury in October 2023. The YouTuber-turned-boxer was scheduled to face two opponents in one night, in a tag-team match, with the opponents being Anthony Taylor and Slim Albaher, who held crossover records of 5-6-2 and 7-0 respectively at the time of the original article.
Sami Hamed’s Misfits Decision and Dominant Debut
In an interview, Sami Hamed opened up on why he’d chosen to go down the crossover boxing route, as opposed to the professional route his father had taken, and that his brother has recently begun embarking on. Hamed stated, ‘I had a professional contract, but I didn’t want to get tied down for too long. The truth is, I feel like, especially with Misfits, I like the big entrances, I like how they put on the big shows, it suits me a little bit more than the professional route’.
His debut against Jesse Clarke on August 31st proved to be a resounding success. From the opening bell, Hamed was in control, showcasing sharp combinations and effective footwork. He consistently landed his jab, followed by powerful right hands and uppercuts, dictating the tempo of the fight. Clarke, making his own debut, struggled to counter Hamed’s offensive prowess and was repeatedly punished. In the second round, Hamed intensified his attack, unleashing heavy artillery that left Clarke stumbling. Ultimately, Clarke’s corner intervened, throwing in the towel at 2:21 of the second round, resulting in a TKO victory for Sami Hamed. This impressive performance marked Sami Hamed’s professional debut with a 1-0 record. He has since gone on to secure another TKO victory in the first round against Ziggy Johnson on January 18, 2025, bringing his current record to 2-0. Recent reports indicate that Sami Hamed has signed a three-year deal with Queensberry Promotions, signaling a potential shift towards a more traditional professional boxing career, similar to his brother.
Misfits 017: A Card of Shifting Dynamics and Notable Bouts
The Misfits 017 event, initially headlined by KSI’s unique tag-team challenge, saw a significant change when KSI announced the cancellation of his fight against Anthony Taylor and Slim Albaher due to an undisclosed injury. Despite this setback, KSI confirmed that the event would still proceed, with him providing commentary and performing new music. Anthony Taylor, a veteran of crossover boxing with a record of 7 wins, 7 losses, and 2 draws, had been active, securing a second-round TKO victory over Samuel Ericsson at Misfits 16 on August 10, 2024. Slim Albaher, who entered the event with an undefeated 7-0 record, last fought on October 14, 2023, where he secured a TKO win against Salt Papi.
With KSI’s withdrawal, the card featured several other compelling matchups. Danny Aarons took on TikTokker Beavo, while DeenTheGreat defended his Misfits Boxing lightweight title against Dave Fogarty. DeenTheGreat successfully retained his title, defeating Fogarty via TKO in the third round after dropping him twice. Fogarty, known as Conor McGregor’s friend and photographer, was making his boxing debut, though he possessed an amateur MMA record of 7-3. Elsewhere on the card, DTG faced Minikon, with Minikon emerging victorious via majority decision. The main event of the evening saw Danny Aarons and Danny Simpson battle to a split draw. Other notable outcomes included HStikkytokky’s quick stoppage win over George Fensom and Ben Williams’ TKO victory against Warren Spencer.
The Hamed Brothers’ Divergent Paths and Future Implications
The paths chosen by Sami and Aadam Hamed highlight a fascinating divergence in the contemporary boxing landscape. Sami, at 26 years old, opted for the high-profile, entertainment-driven world of Misfits Boxing for his debut, a platform that aligns with his stated preference for “big entrances” and “big shows.” His dominant TKO victory over Jesse Clarke, followed by another early stoppage win, has established him as a compelling figure within the crossover scene. His recent move to Queensberry Promotions, however, suggests an ambition to transition into a more traditional professional boxing career, potentially seeking to emulate his father’s legendary status in a different arena.
Conversely, Aadam, who is younger than Sami, has consistently pursued the traditional professional route, signing with promoter Frank Warren and building a solid 7-0 record with 3 KOs. His fights, while perhaps lacking the immediate spectacle of Misfits events, are designed to develop his skills and progress him through the ranks of professional boxing. This dual approach from the Hamed brothers offers a unique perspective on the evolving nature of boxing, where both traditional and crossover platforms offer distinct opportunities for aspiring fighters. The legacy of Prince Naseem Hamed, a former world featherweight champion known for his flamboyant style and formidable 36-1 record with 31 knockouts, continues to cast a long shadow, and both Sami and Aadam are now actively forging their own identities within the sport.
Misfits 16 was also announced recently for August 10th in Miami, with Faze Temper headlining against Josh Brueckner. In that event, Josh Brueckner secured a second-round TKO victory over FaZe Temper, advancing him to the semifinals of the Misfits Cruiserweight Title Tournament.
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