Isaac Hlatshwayo for Hatton?

bennie · Post by **bennie** » 11 Feb 2008, 12:27

Ricky Hatton could face South Africa's Isaac Hlatshwayo on home turf at the City of Manchester Stadium on May 24.
The Hitman, a lifelong blue, last graced these shores with a bloody and hard-earned nine-round knockout of Puerto Rican beanpole Carlos Maussa in Sheffield in November 2005 and then made his way to the States, where he fought four times, including a lucrative shot at WBC welterweight champion Floyd Mayweather Jnr in Las Vegas in December. Now he's back to face the respected but little-known Hlatshwayo (not natural rival Junior Witter, sadly, a fight that never looks like happening) as he looks to build to another marquee fight at 29.
Hatton, 43-1 (31), blames Puerto Rican referee Joe Cortez for his loss to Mayweather in that the surprisingly fussy Cortez never let him mix it inside and made him 'chase' the fight after deducting a point from in the sixth round, both of which played into the hands of the slick, counterpunching Mayweather. "I would fight Mayweather again - just with a different referee," barked Ricky, who was slowly picked off and floored and stopped in the 10th. "Maybe he (Cortez) just had an off-night. And I was a little bit over-keen, overeager and I made the cardinal sin of losing my composure."
But, he added: "What sort of a champion would I be if I didn't come back and try and prove myself?"
Enter Hlatshwayo. In 29 fights, the man from Soweto has lost only to world class Kendall Holt in a 12-rounder in Atlantic City. It was Hlatshwayo's first major contest at light-welterweight, after a fine winning run in the lightweights (including a decision over Nate Campbell), and he was never in it. Hlatshwayo struggled to get close to Holt in the early rounds, picked up a bad cut in the sixth and was floored three times down the stretch, although he made it to the final bell where he conceded two scores of 119-106 and one of 116-109. Holt went on to floor Colombian banger Ricardo Torres on a controversial night in Barranquilla last September for the WBO light-welterweight title (ahead on points, the American was stopped on his feet in the 11th when seemingly unhurt); Hlatshwayo has bounced back with two wins at full welterweight, where he handed Australian prospect Robert Medlely his first defeat in October last year.
So what more do we know? The 30-year-old Hlatshwayo is no banger, with only nine early wins, and his chin didn't look the best against Holt - but he's a fine all-round exponent with workrate, aggression and solid boxing skills. Billed as "The Angel", Hlatshwayo turned pro at lightweight back in 2000 and took scalp after scalp on the way to the major world rankings. Victims included Phillip Ndou (who retired immediately afterwards) Samuel Malinga (remembered for hammering the likes of Colin Lynes and Ted Bami here), Cassius Baloyi (moving up briefly; Baloyi won a major world super-featherweight title in his very next fight), Martin Jacobs (desperately unlucky to drop a 12-round verdict to Colin Dunne here in 2002), Aldo Nazareno Rios (blew away Jason Cook here), Patrick Malinga (lost a good fight here to Alex Arthur) and the excellent Nate Campbell, whom he took a split decision over after 12 thrilling rounds in Tampa in April 2006 for his biggest win.
Hlatshwayo was an impressive 25-0 and a clear 2-1 favourite when he entered the Holt fight in November 2006 but - well, we know the upshot. More ominously, the South African was rocked by Rios in the 12th and final round of their February 2006 encounter - a man hammered in nine by Hatton a few years earlier.
Hlatshwayo looks brave and highly capable, but not capable of beating Hatton.

Lenny · Post by **Lenny** » 11 Feb 2008, 12:39

Not great but then I didn't expect it to be. Holt would have been an easier choice to except. Not too sure what Hlatshwayo brings to the table

Chambers2 · Post by **Chambers2** » 11 Feb 2008, 12:43

http://www.boxrec.com/list_bouts.php?hu ... &cat=boxer

DG. · Post by **DG.** » 11 Feb 2008, 12:45

Thanks.

Dioufy · Post by **Dioufy** » 11 Feb 2008, 12:45

Oh my God, it's for Isaac Hlatswayo's IBO welterweight belt.

G-man · Post by **G-man** » 11 Feb 2008, 12:47

Can't see it.

This has all stemmed from some garbage in a South African rag.

Exile · Post by **Exile** » 11 Feb 2008, 13:42

G-man wrote:Can't see it.

This has all stemmed from some garbage in a South African rag.

I hope you are correct.

WildWaylon · Post by **WildWaylon** » 11 Feb 2008, 13:52

This would be not only ducking Witter but everyone else thats decent - Having a confidence builder at Rickys level is not on - He can either cut the mustard still or he cant in which case he should retire.

JDC · Post by **JDC** » 11 Feb 2008, 13:58

http://www.BS.com/?m=show&id=10803

Where there was talk of Rickys brother fighting Hlatshwayo in December. Who knows??

Hope it doesnt happen though. Stay at LWW

Phenomenal-Nutrition · Post by **Phenomenal-Nutrition** » 11 Feb 2008, 14:23

Lenny wrote:Not too sure what Hlatshwayo brings to the table

Are you joking??? Not only is Hlatstawayo a 2 weight champ, hes the current IBO Welterweight Champion, talk abotu jumping back into the deep end. This is a huge step up from Mayweather, we all know Hlatstayao has been avoided by Mayweather from 135-147. Hatton just takes challenge after challenge and still some fans don't appreciate his high risk career strategy

DG. · Post by **DG.** » 11 Feb 2008, 14:42

Phenomenal-Nutrition wrote:
Lenny wrote:Not too sure what Hlatshwayo brings to the table
Are you joking??? Not only is Hlatstawayo a 2 weight champ, hes the current IBO Welterweight Champion, talk abotu jumping back into the deep end. This is a huge step up from Mayweather, we all know Hlatstayao has been avoided by Mayweather from 135-147. Hatton just takes challenge after challenge and still some fans don't appreciate his high risk career strategy

Very true!

We should be more grateful.

Hlatstawayo!
Hlatstawayo!
Hlatstawayo!
Hlatstawayo!
Hlatstawayo!

banjo · Post by **banjo** » 11 Feb 2008, 14:51

?Puerto Rican beanpole Carlos Maussa?

Maussa is columbian einstein

Poncey · Post by **Poncey** » 11 Feb 2008, 15:08

Terry D wrote:Not heard this one. I reckon name recognition will be a must for this return bout.

I agree. I'll believe it when I see it.

Just can't see HBO accepting this.

Ash-Weston · Post by **Ash-Weston** » 11 Feb 2008, 16:15

Would rather see him in there with Torres or Malignaggi Lets just give up on the fact RH v Witter is going to happen because its NOT.(Which is a shame)

Poncey · Post by **Poncey** » 11 Feb 2008, 16:17

Ash-Weston wrote:Would rather see him in there with Torres or Malignaggi Lets just give up on the fact RH v Witter is going to happen because its NOT.(Which is a shame)

Malinaggi has a contracted rematch with N'Dou in the summer. Torres is the only credible option.

StepinFetchit · Post by **StepinFetchit** » 11 Feb 2008, 16:25

Vickys a c^nt....i knew after he got destroyed by PBF they would give him opponants that can't punch are lightweights and/or approaching 40.

Captain Hook · Post by **Captain Hook** » 12 Feb 2008, 08:57

Good job we've got a prick like you here to keep us in the know..

No way this will happen...he needs a name.

Captain Hook · Post by **Captain Hook** » 12 Feb 2008, 08:57

Ash-Weston wrote:Would rather see him in there with Torres or Malignaggi Lets just give up on the fact RH v Witter is going to happen because its NOT.(Which is a shame)

And we must not forget that witter already has a fight against Hopkins, and that's no gimme.....

Lenny · Post by **Lenny** » 12 Feb 2008, 09:16

Keep up Hooky

Phenomenal-Nutrition · Post by **Phenomenal-Nutrition** » 12 Feb 2008, 09:18

Captain Hook wrote:
Ash-Weston wrote:Would rather see him in there with Torres or Malignaggi Lets just give up on the fact RH v Witter is going to happen because its NOT.(Which is a shame)
And we must not forget that witter already has a fight against Hopkins, and that's no gimme.....

Think Hopkins chickened out

Captain Hook · Post by **Captain Hook** » 12 Feb 2008, 09:42

I've been out of the loop for a week or so, what happened?

Phenomenal-Nutrition · Post by **Phenomenal-Nutrition** » 12 Feb 2008, 09:48

Captain Hook wrote:I've been out of the loop for a week or so, what happened?

Hopkins came out in an interview a few months ago saying he'd called out all the champs and Witter was the only 1 willing to face him. Then last week he said he didn't even know anything about a Witter fight and he hadnt signed a contract. Then BHOPS kicked nephew and family out their apartment as they hadnt been keeping upto bills

Poncey · Post by **Poncey** » 12 Feb 2008, 09:58

Phenomenal-Nutrition wrote:
Captain Hook wrote:I've been out of the loop for a week or so, what happened?
Hopkins came out in an interview a few months ago saying he'd called out all the champs and Witter was the only 1 willing to face him. Then last week he said he didn't even know anything about a Witter fight and he hadnt signed a contract. Then BHOPS kicked nephew and family out their apartment as they hadnt been keeping upto bills

...and D-Hop threw a paddy and has subsequently left Golden Boy Promotions East.

whicker · Post by **whicker** » 12 Feb 2008, 10:10

bennie wrote: Hlatshwayo looks brave and highly capable, but not capable of beating Hatton.

Which is no doubt why he was booked.

whicker · Post by **whicker** » 12 Feb 2008, 10:13

Phenomenal-Nutrition wrote: Not only is Hlatstawayo a 2 weight champ, hes the current IBO Welterweight Champion, talk abotu jumping back into the deep end.

IBO. IBO

What the Donald Duck?

Must be one of the least regarded alphabet ttles there is.

Isaac Hlatshwayo for Hatton?

Isaac Hlatshwayo for Hatton?

Re: Isaac Hlatshwayo for Hatton?