FIGHT NEWS FLASH
By Ludo Saenz Monday, September 13 2004
"[Miguel] Cotto has a mandatory fight in 180 days against Ricky Hatton," said WBO president Paco Valcarcel following Cotto's dramatic KO win over Kelson Pinto on Saturday night to claim the WBO's 140lb title. "If he decides to unify his title," Varcarcel continued, "then a unification fight has priority over a mandatory defense. I am not sure if Ricky Hatton wants to fight Cotto right now (laughs)."
Can you imagine if Witter BEAT Cotto! Damn, that would be class. He'd be Officially the best jw in britain (a lot of people think he is). I wouldn't count him out of a Cotto fight. Actually, I'd have some money on a Witter Ko, at NICE odds!
lirva33 wrote:Can you imagine if Witter BEAT Cotto!
Don't get me wrong I really rate Witter and think he is world class, but no I cannot even imagine this happening - and I did dream that Williams would beat Tyson.
Harris is the poorest champion in this weight devision at this moment and, I'm afraid, the only one I would confidently tip both British boys to beat. Mitchell is coming to the end, so he might be ready and possibly even Tszyu.
I think Gatti and Cotto would be too much (cue hundred of posts labelling Gatti overated).
I thought Hatton was in a good position for the winner of Mitchell - Tyzu, so it would be a step down to face Cotto if that is the case.
Maybe Hatton is not so hungry for glory, but he can really fight. Hatton- Gatti, Hatton - Tzyu, Hatton - Mitchell, Hatton - Mayweather or Hatton - Cotto are just all wonderful match-ups.
I better add before I get slated I did not say any of them will happen.
I agree with the general consensus that Hatton-Cotto is unlikely with Ricky's "promotional problems" but one thing that sticks in my head about Cotto. When he was interviewed before the Ndou fight he admitted that Hatton was top of his hit list and that he would love to fight him anywhere..!
I realise this may have been talk for the UK fight pundits but it did register..
Hatton will not fight the winner of Tszyu/Mitchell, thats just a stupid smokescreen to try and justify his next fight. They will have a million options after that fight, why would Mitchell or Tszyu, the top guys in the division lower themselves to fighting Hatton for the pittance that they would be offered by FW. Tszyu will be moving to welter soon, can anyone really see Kostya killing himself again to make weight for a fight with Ricky Hatton? Franks already stated he doesn't think Mitchells worth the money he's asking for for a fight with Ricky, nothing will have changed.
Hatton will NEVER fight anyone with any credibility, I'd put any money on that. That slime ball Warren won't let it happen, somehow he'd find an excuse as always to get Hatton out of a dangerous fight. It really is boring now, I'm losing interest in British boxing at the moment because of all these 'big fight' let-downs.
DK2112 wrote:Hatton will NEVER fight anyone with any credibility, I'd put any money on that. That slime ball Warren won't let it happen, somehow he'd find an excuse as always to get Hatton out of a dangerous fight. It really is boring now, I'm losing interest in British boxing at the moment because of all these 'big fight' let-downs.
Danny Williams got a big fight and will get another in the form of Vitali Klitschko
TODAYS FIGHT NEWS FLASH
By Craig Watt; Sunday, September 19 2004
Bob Arum stated this weekend that he is prepared to bring new WBO Jr-welterweight Champion Miguel Cotto to the UK to take on new mandatory ranked Ricky Hatton. He confirmed, " Ricky is now WBO mandatory challenger and we are quite prepared to come to the belly of Hatton's huge army of fans and defend the title. Ricky and Miguel are certainly the rising stars of the 140 pound division and it would be a great fight." Unbeaten Hatton is 36-0 and takes on Mike Stewart (36-2-2) at the MEN Arena on October 1st in a final eliminator for the IBF title. The 26 year old consistently sells 15,000 tickets for each of his fights in the UK and a fight against 23 year old Cotto would be a UK sell-out. His promoter allegedly confirmed his current view on the situation, "Ricky is in an excellent position and if he beats Stewart on October 1st in Manchester we will look to match him with the winner of the upcoming Kosta Tszyu and Sharmba Mitchell fight. I believe Mitchell may be victorious in the bout and cause a shock. Either way we welcome discussions with Bob Arum and I can assure you Ricky Hatton will be fighting for one of the major titles whether it be WBO or IBF in the near future. Firstly we must concentrate on defeating Mike Stewart who is a good fighter and then take it from there." The Hatton-Stewart bout will be covered in the UK on Sky Sports on October 1st from 10pm UK time.
Looks like Wankie's grasping for an out already!
Tszyu is on record stating he has bigger fish to fry than Hatton;
SN would really have to grovel at this point to get a Sharmba Mitchell fight.