Promoter allegedly has just announced that Ricky Hatton will now be fighting American-based Argentinian Omar Weis on Saturday at the MEN Arena in Manchester after Kelson Pinto's blatant no-show yesterday threw the whole event into doubt.
"It was a fun day," he told The Guardian boxing correspondent Steve Bunce of yesterday (The Guardian have just broken the story). "We concentrated on Europe for a few hours and pinned down Denmark's world class Dennis Pedersen, who fought only last month and is in shape. But Showtime wanted an opponent more familiar to American fans, and we switched to Weis, with whom I have options (Pedersen has now been promised a big fight on the Johnny Nelson-Thomas Hansvoll WBO title show in Denmark in May).
"Weis has been sparring Oktay Urkal in Germany and will be at the press conference this afternoon (Thursday)," added Warren.
"I have a very good relationship with his manager Amilcar Brusa, whom I'd like to publicly thank for providing such a quality opponent at such short notice."
Hatton was unavailable for comment, but is said to be taking events in his stride.
The 31-year-old Weis outpointed American cutie Emanuel Augustus in his last fight a year ago in Las Vegas - and that emulates what Kelson Pinto did to Augustus (also last year). Before that, Weis took current WBO champion Zab Judah 10 tough rounds in the states. Judah, returning from a six month suspension after a disastrous two-round defeat at the hands of Kostya Tszyu, dropped the Argentinian with with a big left in round two, but then had to work all the way to secure the unanimous verdict in his favour.
In his very next fight, Judah edged out DeMarcus Corley for the WBO title.
So Weis did well against the hard-hitting American southpaw, and, despite a rugged reputation, is actually more boxer than slugger (like a lot of Argentinians). He counterpunched flawlessly against the experienced Augustus last year - and also outboxed Hector Camacho Junior en route to another convincing 10-round decision (in 2002).
He's cute, tough and knows his way around a ring.
The 30-year-old turned pro in Argentina back in 1995 and went unbeaten in 28 fights before rugged Venezualan Elio Ortiz stopped him in 10 bruising rounds in Caracas in 1998.
Weis bounced back with five straight wins, including a 10th-round stoppage of Cesar Leiva for the vacant Argentinian light-welterweight title in 2000, then made a massive impression in his first fight in America in the June of that year.
Weis took on the highly-ranked Antonio Diaz, a man who had just stopped Ivan Robinson and held a win over Cory Spinks, and looked to have done more than enough after 12 bruising rounds in California, only to see the decision go Diaz's way.
A fight later, Diaz licked 'Irish' Micky Ward.
Weis was brought back to the States a year later to face perennial contender Ray Oliveira, who had licked Vivian Harris, Vince Phillips and Charles Murray, among many others. Again, the cute Argie looked to have won, but was given a draw after 10 action-packed rounds.
Weis finally got the big win he deserved in 2002 when, as he does with Hatton, he faced an unbeaten, carefully-matched prospect in the shape of Hector Camacho Junior, who was 33-0 going into the fight, but was comprehensively outpointed after 10 surprisingly one-sided rounds.
Weis has proved hard to match since and has boxed three tough opponents - Arturo Urena (w pts 10), Judah and, last time out in February 2003, the excellent points win over Augustus.
Trained by the legendary Amilcar Brusa of Carlos Monzon fame, Omar, 36-4-3 (16), is a solid opponent for Ricky.
Breaking news: new opponent for Hatton
Re: Breaking news: new opponent for Hatton
bennie wrote:Promoter allegedly has just announced that Ricky Hatton will now be fighting American-based Argentinian Omar Weis on Saturday at the MEN Arena in Manchester after Kelson Pinto's blatant no-show yesterday threw the whole event into doubt.
"It was a fun day," he told The Guardian boxing correspondent Steve Bunce of yesterday (The Guardian have just broken the story). "We concentrated on Europe for a few hours and pinned down Denmark's world class Dennis Pedersen, who fought only last month and is in shape. But Showtime wanted an opponent more familiar to American fans, and we switched to Weis, with whom I have options (Pedersen has now been promised a big fight on the Johnny Nelson-Thomas Hansvoll WBO title show in Denmark in May).
"Weis has been sparring Oktay Urkal in Germany and will be at the press conference this afternoon (Thursday)," added Warren.
"I have a very good relationship with his manager Amilcar Brusa, whom I'd like to publicly thank for providing such a quality opponent at such short notice."
Hatton was unavailable for comment, but is said to be taking events in his stride.
The 31-year-old Weis outpointed American cutie Emanuel Augustus in his last fight a year ago in Las Vegas - and that emulates what Kelson Pinto did to Augustus (also last year). Before that, Weis took current WBO champion Zab Judah 10 tough rounds in the states. Judah, returning from a six month suspension after a disastrous two-round defeat at the hands of Kostya Tszyu, dropped the Argentinian with with a big left in round two, but then had to work all the way to secure the unanimous verdict in his favour.
In his very next fight, Judah edged out DeMarcus Corley for the WBO title.
So Weis did well against the hard-hitting American southpaw, and, despite a rugged reputation, is actually more boxer than slugger (like a lot of Argentinians). He counterpunched flawlessly against the experienced Augustus last year - and also outboxed Hector Camacho Junior en route to another convincing 10-round decision (in 2002).
He's cute, tough and knows his way around a ring.
The 30-year-old turned pro in Argentina back in 1995 and went unbeaten in 28 fights before rugged Venezualan Elio Ortiz stopped him in 10 bruising rounds in Caracas in 1998.
Weis bounced back with five straight wins, including a 10th-round stoppage of Cesar Leiva for the vacant Argentinian light-welterweight title in 2000, then made a massive impression in his first fight in America in the June of that year.
Weis took on the highly-ranked Antonio Diaz, a man who had just stopped Ivan Robinson and held a win over Cory Spinks, and looked to have done more than enough after 12 bruising rounds in California, only to see the decision go Diaz's way.
A fight later, Diaz licked 'Irish' Micky Ward.
Weis was brought back to the States a year later to face perennial contender Ray Oliveira, who had licked Vivian Harris, Vince Phillips and Charles Murray, among many others. Again, the cute Argie looked to have won, but was given a draw after 10 action-packed rounds.
Weis finally got the big win he deserved in 2002 when, as he does with Hatton, he faced an unbeaten, carefully-matched prospect in the shape of Hector Camacho Junior, who was 33-0 going into the fight, but was comprehensively outpointed after 10 surprisingly one-sided rounds.
Weis has proved hard to match since and has boxed three tough opponents - Arturo Urena (w pts 10), Judah and, last time out in February 2003, the excellent points win over Augustus.
Trained by the legendary Amilcar Brusa of Carlos Monzon fame, Omar, 36-4-3 (16), is a solid opponent for Ricky.
Ian, don't tempt this power crazy mod again with the deleting threads (Lol!).
I have to say I am happy with this change this is a fight I would have settled for 6 weeks ago. A tough fight to call, Hatton has been working towards fighting a green banger, he's now got and awkard, experienced boxer against him.
Ditto but it is a name that will ensure Showtime don't get the raving hump, Weis is a respected name.knockout wrote:if weis was training for another fight then its a great opponent..
if he has been sitting on his ass in argentina and will arrive tonight and spend all tomorrow morning in the sauna then its SHITTY
SN have done well in this respect if true...Let's see what sort of shape he is in come Sat night.
I have to say fair play to FW, nice touch by given Pederson a big pay day on another bill.
Didn't sound like he had all that much of an option, and again Witter would have fallen into the Pederson category of name.
Very happy, what ever shape Weiss is in, it will be right up there in terms of Ricky's best scalps and more than what I would have expected.
If Weiss makes the weight then he's obviously in pretty good shape and if he's in good shape this could very well be Ricky's hardest fight - in fact I think it will be.
Bill saved, well done Sports Network in such trying circumstances.
Didn't sound like he had all that much of an option, and again Witter would have fallen into the Pederson category of name.
Very happy, what ever shape Weiss is in, it will be right up there in terms of Ricky's best scalps and more than what I would have expected.
If Weiss makes the weight then he's obviously in pretty good shape and if he's in good shape this could very well be Ricky's hardest fight - in fact I think it will be.
Bill saved, well done Sports Network in such trying circumstances.
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MightyWarrior
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jamesmcdonnell
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J wrote:yeah you did too, good call !bigynzing wrote:Frank must of read my list of fighters that would appese.... :P
hey there was 5-6 names...one had to be a good shout..
.Should be a good fight...Wiess is a shifty as they come..i guess we`ll find out if Hatton can handle a mover.
If i was a betting man i`d go for a late stoppage for Hatton...but seeing as im a tight arse..i`ll go for Hatton on points.
Yeah man...im chuffed for ya...i bet you read the small print on the back of your ticket, and shit it...J wrote:LATE STOPPAGE IS WHAT YOU WISH FOR I SUPPOSE IF YOU ARE GOING HEY.
Im made up to be honest, I really thought this was gonna be a let down.
All credit to warren on this issue.
.What ticket(s) did you get?..£125,£75?.-
jamesmcdonnell
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- Joined: 12 Nov 2003, 06:11
best I could 150 each (2) plus booking fees and that. and no didnt read the small print on the back ...thank god its not necessary. (dont tempt fate j)bigynzing wrote:Yeah man...im chuffed for ya...i bet you read the small print on the back of your ticket, and shit it...J wrote:LATE STOPPAGE IS WHAT YOU WISH FOR I SUPPOSE IF YOU ARE GOING HEY.
Im made up to be honest, I really thought this was gonna be a let down.
All credit to warren on this issue.
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jamesmcdonnell
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- Joined: 12 Nov 2003, 06:11
mate im just glad the fight is on.
Ill have a right larf dont worry ..look out Manc the wilson brothers are in town hahaaha
have to take my hat off to Bennie though. Quality wind you bastard hahaha.
Thats twice a mate sent one first thing this morning saying coot replaced Pinto. hahah I didnt believe that but ....guess i shouldnt wear my heart on my sleeve so much..hahaha
oh well, bring on Saturday
Ill have a right larf dont worry ..look out Manc the wilson brothers are in town hahaaha
have to take my hat off to Bennie though. Quality wind you bastard hahaha.
Thats twice a mate sent one first thing this morning saying coot replaced Pinto. hahah I didnt believe that but ....guess i shouldnt wear my heart on my sleeve so much..hahaha
oh well, bring on Saturday
