I don't know what's going on, but Mayweather is ignoring all the best fighters to consider Carlos Quintana, Dmitriy Salita and Matthew Hatton as opponents! He's calling it a tune-up.
This might not be as crazy as you think. I've heard from a few reliable sources that Mayweather's next fight will definitely take place in the UK. This has been his plan for some time and it's hard to think who he'd be able to fight over here. It obviously won't be a Pacquiao, Mosley, Williams type of fight. So then you're looking at the possibility of a milk-the-fans tune-up. Matthew Hatton might be a bit too much of a stretch, but Floyd is definitely looking at UK venues and is considering a number of 'weaker' opponents.
I very much doubt Salita will be mentioned after Khan, unless he beats Khan.
Quintana is acceptable as a mark time fight, while negotations are ongoing for Pacquiao. Salita will be also if he wins the WBA title.
I can see what Eraserhead is saying about Matthew Hatton. I think had he beaten Ndou it might have been made. Maybe Amir Khan is more likely.... especially with the Pacquiao link.
Disgraceful, if true. He's had his tune-up: 12 rounds with an elite fighter, albeit a lightweight.
Matthew Hatton or a non-punching light-welterweight such as Salita would be no preparation for the fight of his life with Pacman. Nor would such fights strengthen his position at the negotiating table.
As for a world tour, who does he think he is? Sugar Ray Robinson?
It's a pity Kel Brook's not a few fights further into his career, it'd certainly be a tougher test for Mayweather than Matthew Hatton is. As mentioned Witter would be another ideal UK based opponent, but I bet he's still got the presidentancy of the 'who needs him club'
I actually read somewhere that Mayweather was thinking about a Sugar Ray Robinson style European/World tour, where he would fight four or five "national hero" types. They would be way, way beneath him, and it wouldn't be so difficult for him, but it would pull in decent cash.
I think Mayweather could get decent money in the UK agianst the right guy and with the right undercard.
Same goes for Germany.
Not mega bucks, but a few million here, a few million there.
And for easy, easy fights.
I don't think it's going to happen, though.
I suspect Floyd is just scambling for some bargaining chips. Something along the lines of "I don't need you, I can go do this instead..."
Phenomenal-Nutrition wrote:Although I wouldnt be completely suprised to see FMJ-Hatton 2, both would cash in and a definite win for Floyd
Yes I find that prospect worryingly likely. If he is fighting in the UK, I can see no real reason for it, other than to set up a fight with Hatton if he beats Marquez.
Floyd may be trying to provide a smokescreen - so he can then barter Pacquaio down in negotiations. He can turn round and say that he has a lucrative rematch with Hatton in Manchester in front of 40,000 people and that he doesn't need Pacman.
if Kell stuck a glove on him it could get real interesting. Only trouble is Kell is not known Stateside but he's a good athlete who probably hits as hard as Mayweather and he's certainly no mug.
If he got the chance I'd say do it!
Unlikely to take a pasting off Mayweather who would likely spin it out in a cautious affair, plus far more pressure on MAyweather not to lose than on Brook to win.
I think Brook would beat Ricky Hatton at this stage to be honest.
NorthEastBoxingFan wrote:if Kell stuck a glove on him it could get real interesting. Only trouble is Kell is not known Stateside but he's a good athlete who probably hits as hard as Mayweather and he's certainly no mug.
If he got the chance I'd say do it!
Unlikely to take a pasting off Mayweather who would likely spin it out in a cautious affair, plus far more pressure on MAyweather not to lose than on Brook to win.
Personally think you're underetimating floyd and over estimating kell who has only beaten sub british level opponents thus far.
NorthEastBoxingFan wrote:if Kell stuck a glove on him it could get real interesting. Only trouble is Kell is not known Stateside but he's a good athlete who probably hits as hard as Mayweather and he's certainly no mug.
If he got the chance I'd say do it!
Unlikely to take a pasting off Mayweather who would likely spin it out in a cautious affair, plus far more pressure on MAyweather not to lose than on Brook to win.
I think Brook would beat Ricky Hatton at this stage to be honest.
brook would destroy hatton. too quick accurate and powerful for ricky. also brook would slaughter khan in my opinion
gemmell wrote:
brook would destroy hatton. too quick accurate and powerful for ricky. also brook would slaughter khan in my opinion
You're talking Ricky Hatton here? Kell brook would destory him? On what basis? The fact ricky got KO'd by the p4p #1 puncher and possibly fighter on the planet, or the fact Kel looked good knocking out, errrm, who was it again?
No way will Frank put Brook in there to get his arse kicked and lose his 0 and rightly so. All very well saying if Kell stuck a glove on him but I wouldn't put money on him being able to do that.
Witter would make sense as far as a warm up is concerned but it's hardly going to be the big money fight Mayweather is looking for
I always felt that Floyd, Oscar & Ricky had a big multi-fight plan laid out which included fights in the UK and America but when Ricky got taken out so easily by Floyd all those plans got ruined. Since then I think the three have struggled to adjust to missing out on that. That's why Oscar dropped so much weight to chase Pacquiao and now why Floyd still seems desperate to carve a niche for himself in the UK, with or without Ricky. If he is serious about a tune-up in the UK though, they might as well just do Hatton Mayweather 2.