Prince Naseem Hamed ‘not entirely happy’ with new movie as Pierce Brosnan opens up on transformation for role

Jan 9, 2026 - 11:30

Pierce Brosnan plays a starring role in an epic film about Prince Naseem Hamed’s boxing career, but the legend isn’t too impressed with some scenes.

The latest Hollywood biopic is based on British boxing cult hero Prince Naseem Hamed, who became one of the sport’s biggest superstars during his 10 year professional career.

It depicts his turbulent relationship with long-term trainer Brendan Ingle before their eventual split, years on from when they first began working together at seven-years-old.

Ingle is played by award-winning actor Brosnan, whose appearance looks extremely different to play the pivotal role in the Sheffield gym.

The Irish actor suited the role fantastically, but admitted it took hours for him to get into character.

Although not needing to get into boxing shape, Brosnan revealed it took several hours in the make up room and prosthetics to his face to transform into the late Ingle.

“It was like quiet meditation every morning [getting ready],” he told talkSPORT.com ahead of the release of Giant in cinemas today worldwide [January 9].

“I had a great team behind me who did remarkable work, it took hours at a time.

“But when I said yes to the script I was sure that I could make some physical transformation into Brendan Ingle.

“This was an intense film to make, time was so short but the story was fantastic.”

During the film, Brosnan does indeed box, lacing up his gloves and taking on Hamed, played by Amir El-Masry.

The 72-year-old does look handy in spells, but ultimately gets crushed with big body shots from El-Masry.

Brosnan looked almost unrecognisable for his role as Ingle, training Hamed [Al-Nasry] in the gym[/caption]

It is a fighting scene with deeper meaning, but looks truly authentic, and Brosnan suggested he did no training for the scenes.

He continued: “For this I didn’t do any training. I’ve done it playing Bond and done action movies.

“I have boxed in a theatrical sense, if I were to get into a real fight, I’d be floored into the minutes.

“These great coaches and boxers were with us, and I knew some of the moves, and the scenes are fantastic.”

The film has been produced by Balboa Productions and executive producer Sylvester Stallone took a backseat role, giving it the feel of iconic classic Rocky.

Prince Naseem Hamed’s view on the film

Surprisingly, Hamed didn’t get involved with the biopic and was as surprised as many upon learning of its release.

Al Nasry does a great job of playing the flamboyant and unique Hamed during his boxing career

But he has recently come out and offered his support to the biopic, even attending the premiere.

The film goes into detail about how Ingle helped spark his career as a bright 7-year-old talent with elite footwork at a gym in Sheffield.

He forced Hamed’s name into the amateur and professional ranks, building him up to become world champion.

Moving on, the pair fell out over Ingle’s financial demands, and subsequently split in 1998 with Ingle releasing a book which agitated Hamed.

And when speaking to talkSPORT about the launch of the film, which is in cinemas from today [January 9], he admits watching some of the scenes was tough.

He explained: “Obviously not [happy with the way relationship with Ingle is portrayed].