An imagined moment in a new biopic has reopened one of the deepest emotional chapters in Prince Naseem Hamed’s life — the reconciliation with legendary trainer Brendan Ingle that never happened.

That unrealised embrace sits at the heart of Giant, the new boxing film starring Pierce Brosnan and Amir El-Masry, which explores the extraordinary rise and painful fracture between one of Britain’s most iconic fighters and the coach who shaped him.

A Vision of What Could Have Been

Now 51, Prince Naseem Hamed has learned to live with a lingering regret: never making peace face-to-face with the man who guided him from childhood to world champion status.

“I always wanted that to happen,” Hamed told BBC Sport.
“But to see it unfold in front of me like it could have happened… I said to the director and the producer, ‘I only wish that last scene was really true, because I would have wanted that.’”

Hamed trained under Ingle for nearly 18 years, beginning at just seven years old in Sheffield. Their bond was not just professional — it was deeply personal, resembling that of a father and son.

Inside Giant: Fame, Fallout and Fracture

Giant, released in UK cinemas on 9 January, chronicles Hamed’s meteoric ascent from a gifted young boxer in Sheffield to a flamboyant, global superstar and world featherweight champion by the age of 21.

Under Ingle’s guidance, Hamed became one of the most recognisable figures in boxing history — known as much for his charisma and footwork as his devastating power.

But as the money grew, so did the tension.

The relationship began to strain when Hamed and his family questioned Ingle’s agreed 25% share of fight purses, particularly as purses ballooned into the millions. Matters worsened following the release of the 1998 book The Paddy and The Prince by Nick Pitt, which deeply upset Hamed’s camp.

Shortly after Hamed’s victory over Wayne McCullough in 1998, the partnership ended — bitterly and permanently.

Attempts at Reconciliation That Never Succeeded

As the years passed and Hamed’s career came to an end, the former champion made repeated attempts to reconnect with Ingle. Each time, the legendary trainer declined.

In 2018, Ingle died aged 77, leaving Hamed without the closure he longed for.

“He didn’t want to have that final meeting to clear the air,” Hamed said.
“If I said there’s no regret, I’d be lying. I’ve got a heart.”

Hamed remains adamant that Ingle’s role in his success can never be erased.

“He laid down the fundamentals. I can’t say it was all God-given talent. I mention him in a good way because I want to.”

Pierce Brosnan on the Film’s Emotional Core

Pierce Brosnan, who portrays Brendan Ingle, described the imagined reconciliation scene as the emotional soul of the film.

“The embrace had a heartbeat of deep sincerity and lament,” said Brosnan, 72.
“Things that should have been and could have been. That’s what makes this film so poignant.”

The Ireland-born actor — best known for his role as James Bond — said he wished the meeting he shared with Hamed this week could have instead been between fighter and trainer.

“It’s more than a boxing story,” Brosnan added.
“It’s a father-son story, about how to be a man. Promises made, promises broken.”

Authenticity on and off the Screen

Written and directed by Rowan Athale, the film places heavy emphasis on authenticity. Brosnan worked extensively with a dialect coach to master Ingle’s distinctive Irish accent blended with Sheffield inflections.

Amir El-Masry, who plays Hamed, lost eight kilograms for the role and studied the boxer’s movements and mannerisms “religiously.”

For El-Masry, the imagined reconciliation scene was decisive.

“That was the moment I knew this film had something special,” he said. “It’s what we all wanted to see happen in real life.”

The Ingle Gym: A Family Without Barriers

While Giant tells Hamed’s story, it also honours Brendan Ingle’s legacy. Born in Dublin, Ingle moved to Sheffield and founded his famous gym in a converted church hall in Wincobank.

The gym produced champions including Johnny Nelson, Junior Witter, Kell Brook, and of course Prince Naseem — but it was also open to anyone, regardless of background or ability.

“He used to call it ‘liquorice allsorts,’” Hamed said.
“All races, all backgrounds. The barriers were always down.”

Hamed credits Ingle with creating a space free from discrimination.

“In that gym, there was never a feeling of racism. We were one big happy family.”

Brosnan echoed the sentiment, calling Ingle a man who “gave his life, energy and passion to young men in his community.”

A Story of Loss, Love and Legacy

Though Prince Naseem had no involvement in making Giant, he is pleased the story is being told. Ingle’s sons, Dominic and John, were involved in the project and are satisfied with how their father is portrayed.

At its core, Giant is not just about boxing greatness — it is about human relationships, unresolved pain, and the moments in life that come too late.

And for Prince Naseem Hamed, the embrace that never happened remains a powerful reminder of what was lost.