The arrival of Kelson Pinto...

dondada · Post by **dondada** » 29 Mar 2004, 05:33

Just spoken to allegedly's press officer Richard Maynard who said Pinto was arriving later today. Or first thing tomorrow.

According to Mr Maynard, they were going to have Pinto do a workout in front of the media but aren't now. Sharmba Mitchell is going to do one instead at Bob Shannon's gym in Manchester but as yet he couldn't confirm a time and date.

J · Post by J » 29 Mar 2004, 05:37

Is that normal? I mean its quite a flight from Brazil seems a bit close to fight time for my liking. Suppose he doesnt have to do a public session if the tickets are sold pre the night anyway, but a shame would have been nice to see what shape he is in.

MightyWarrior · Post by **MightyWarrior** » 29 Mar 2004, 05:42

Thanks for the info Ian. By the time he gets in the ring to face Hatton at around 10pm Sat night, it'll only be 6pm Brazil time - so his body clock should be fine, even with the short notice.

J · Post by J » 29 Mar 2004, 06:03

cheers MW wasnt too sure bout local time in brazil....suppose that lessens the impact massively.

bennie · Post by **bennie** » 29 Mar 2004, 09:45

It wasn't so long ago, a fighter like Pinto flying in for a world title challenge would have reams of pressmen awaiting him at the airport. Now, allegedly's press man doesn't even know for sure when he's arriving (well, he probably does, but is just being deliberately vague). I would say Pinto is the first "risky" opponent Hatton has ever faced in his entire pro career. By risky, I mean he's an unknown quantity. We knew the other opponent's limitations and strengths. Not Pinto's. Warren must be a nervous wreck.
I remember in 1983, Warren brought over an unbeaten Frenchman Antoine Montero to fight his golden boy Keith Wallace (now sadly dead), and Montero crushed Wallace in eight rounds.

shakermaker · Post by **shakermaker** » 29 Mar 2004, 13:25

I've not been to Brazil but my gf folks have and the flight knackered em for the day after. He won't be right until wed at the earliest. He should have been over here a few days before.

I'm going for Hatton to ko Pinto but as Bennie mentions this guy is an unkown quantity and could be the 2nd coming of Tommy Hearns. HH has seen some fights of him in action and has been impressed. Could be a thriller while it lasts.

bennie · Post by **bennie** » 29 Mar 2004, 13:33

I wonder when Injin Chi arrives for his April 10 fight with Brodie. He'll be really looking forward to another trip to Manchester.

shakermaker · Post by **shakermaker** » 29 Mar 2004, 13:46

poor Injin must be still having nightmares over his last trip to the UK. Like Pinto he should be here 7 days before the fight and adapt to the lovely Manc weather

REAL_DEAL · Post by **REAL_DEAL** » 29 Mar 2004, 13:57

Medina came 2 weeks before the Paul Ingel fight

bennie · Post by **bennie** » 29 Mar 2004, 14:12

REAL_DEAL wrote:Medina came 2 weeks before the Paul Ingel fight

Medina is a throwback, and the old feeling was that fighters should always arrive two weeks before a fight to acclimatise, etc (and still should in many instances). But the advancement in air travel has changed that feeling.
Still, you can tell how ambitious a visiting fighter is by how many days he arrives prior to a big fight here. Vince Phillips, I seem to remember, arrived on the Thursday for his fight with Hatton on the Saturday.