Fight News report - IT IS ON.

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 08 Jan 2005, 21:18

MightyWarrior wrote:
Ian 'Mr' McNeilly wrote:
stujones wrote:Give Secondsout the credit - Clive Bernarth wrote that the deal was very close a few days back. Might be a 4 am job (even in Manchester). But still fornicating fantastic.

Never seen Hatton live, see you ringside if it is true - I've got to see a legend at work.
Does anybody know how I can stay awake and alert until 4am. Adrenaline doesn't work anymore and caffeine has little effect. Any ideas? 8)
My recent tactics have been get up earlyish on the day, then try to get to sleep around 11pm if possible. Set the alarm for before 3am, then maybe knock back an expresso, followed by a double malt whiskey, followed by a few soothing beers - by 4am you'll be in fine shape

Brilliant news by the sounds of it. Bizzare timing though....So I think the first bell rings prime time evening in the USA, and mid afternoon in Oz?

As long as Ricky remembers to keep his hands up, this will be fight of the year. Wonder what sort of odds will be on offer? I make Hatton a very live underdog.....

Me too, if Hatton was such a cakewalk, why would Tszyu be holding until the last minute for more money. this is going to be a good fight, i think Ricky will surprise everyone, win or lose.

The intriguing thing is this, will Ricky try and box or blast tszyu?

s9s · Post by **s9s** » 09 Jan 2005, 04:56

Hello all. long time reader, first time poster.

Im interested in the Ricky Hatton fight and also some ppl here wondering how to adjust to the time. If it helps, i do some weird and wonderfuls shifts, and if im due to start a night shift, the day before i sleep as late as possible (no alcohol it does not help you sleep) wake as late as possible, and , heres the important bit, do as little as possible, sit in front of the tv, play video games,bascially conserve my energy, all this gets me through a 12 hour night shift smoothly.

i used to go the gym in the afternoons before a night shift, but stopped as i was getting tired and irritable when i did.

Hopefully the above would anyone wishing to attend the fight.

Manos de Oro · Post by **Manos de Oro** » 09 Jan 2005, 06:57

If - and it's a big IF - this fight takes place the length of it will be determined by how long Hatton can avoid the right hand. It will be highly tense and exciting to watch. It could end in round 1 or round 12, all depends on when Tsyzu lands. I think there's a good chance of it being a one-punch clean KO.

Saying that, it's not all doom and gloom. Hopefully Billy Graham will be smart about their gameplan.

We know Tsyzu can be a slow starter, so tell Ricky to keep busy but not commit. He could smother his work or anything; just nick the round. He should also base his whole defence around Tsyzu's right hand. About round five or six start rubbing his cheek against Tsyzu's head in the clinches, try anything bar a punch to make a cut appear. Well it's Hatton, so the blood should flow in torrents. There's no way the ref will be Mickey Vann (is there?), so the refereeing should be legit for a change. Hopefully the fight gets stopped and Hatton has nicked it on points. Hatton TD 7.

Manos de Oro · Post by **Manos de Oro** » 09 Jan 2005, 07:04

BTW, I think it's an absolute disgrace it's on at 4am. It's shit the way everything has to pander around US TV. They'll probably have legit title fights on back to back weekends around the Hatton - Tsyzu fight. fornicate off.

Goz · Post by **Goz** » 09 Jan 2005, 07:42

As other more sceptical posters have already said, Goz will wait until it's more solid.

Having said that I did just check the BBC site and there are quotes attributed to Tszyu and his promoter there so shock of all shocks, Wazza does appear to have delivered the big one for Hatton.

Hopefully an 'injury' won't ruin things as they tend to have a habit of doing....

I do fear for Hatton though, I don't think he's ready for Tszyu and his poor match-making to date will cost him on the night. Believe me I'll be screaming my lungs of for him though...

My stag weekend is scheduled for late June, might now have to apply for a second pass in a month because I alwasy swore I'd make it up to Manc for a Tszyu fight. The 4am thing is a bit of a bummer though, staying awake is no problem, it just screws me up for days now...

Also a little concerned about crowd security, there are going to be some very very very drunk people at the MEN, they will really need to be careful to avoid one of the blackest episodes in British boxing history, especially if as is likely, Hatton is beaten.

Goz · Post by **Goz** » 09 Jan 2005, 07:48

Said to you guys the other week I had this mad dream about a Tszyu-Hatton fight. Hatton is cut in the very opening exchange, goes wildly on the offensive because it's a bad cut and even hurts Tszyu but gets picked off, keeps shipping big right hands and is stopped at the end of the first round of a wild brawl.

Not my predicition and only a dream but I might have to have a cheeky tenner on a Tszyu 1st round win just in case...

Dirk Kelly · Post by **Dirk Kelly** » 09 Jan 2005, 07:52

Where is the best place to buy your tickets for the fight?

Goz · Post by **Goz** » 09 Jan 2005, 07:56

Guy I know who runs another site says this is far from 'inked', Warton just likes to stir up the Tszyu publicity machine. So we'll see.

Another thing if were to happen, we are all back-patting Hatton and Warren for this but Tszyu would deserve an enormous amount of credit too. Can you imagine if the boot was on the other foot?

Or can we imagine Calzaghe going to Oz to fight against Green?

Manos de Oro · Post by **Manos de Oro** » 09 Jan 2005, 08:07

Goz wrote:Wazza does appear to have delivered the big one for Hatton.

It's all semantics and not really important but I think delivered is the wrong word to use at this stage. If he's got the contracts signed I'd say the fight was secured rather than delivered. To use a crap analogy: say Wharton posts the signed contract out to Warren and it's due to arrive tomorrow, it's not 'delivered' just now is it?

Goz wrote:Also a little concerned about crowd security, there are going to be some very very very drunk people at the MEN, they will really need to be careful to avoid one of the blackest episodes in British boxing history, especially if as is likely, Hatton is beaten.

If it does all kick off in the arena the Chavez aftermath will seem like a day at pre-school for Tszyu. There will inevitably be fights because of the time and place, but the scale of them also depends on how Hatton loses (if he does). If he loses by early KO I think there'll be some tear-ups in the upper area of the MEN, where the schedule posters are, etc. If it goes the distance and he loses I think people will contain their rage until they get out into the street/city centre. There's a high chance of some really ugly scenes. Warren should splash out big on security, in my opinion.

Goz wrote:Another thing if were to happen, we are all back-patting Hatton and Warren for this but Tszyu would deserve an enormous amount of credit too. Can you imagine if the boot was on the other foot?

Or can we imagine Calzaghe going to Oz to fight against Green?

Like I said on another post a while ago - I think Tszyu has cheapened his stock by agreeing to do this. On the one hand you can see him as a Champion unafraid to face anyone, anywhere. But a lot of the casual fans who go to the MEN regularly will just see him as another Hatton opponent, which I hate.

Goz · Post by **Goz** » 09 Jan 2005, 08:15

Manos de Oro wrote:
Goz wrote:Wazza does appear to have delivered the big one for Hatton.
It's all semantics and not really important but I think delivered is the wrong word to use at this stage. If he's got the contracts signed I'd say the fight was secured rather than delivered. To use a crap analogy: say Wharton posts the signed contract out to Warren and it's due to arrive tomorrow, it's not 'delivered' just now is it?

Goz wrote:Also a little concerned about crowd security, there are going to be some very very very drunk people at the MEN, they will really need to be careful to avoid one of the blackest episodes in British boxing history, especially if as is likely, Hatton is beaten.
If it does all kick off in the arena the Chavez aftermath will seem like a day at pre-school for Tszyu. There will inevitably be fights because of the time and place, but the scale of them also depends on how Hatton loses (if he does). If he loses by early KO I think there'll be some tear-ups in the upper area of the MEN, where the schedule posters are, etc. If it goes the distance and he loses I think people will contain their rage until they get out into the street/city centre. There's a high chance of some really ugly scenes. Warren should splash out big on security, in my opinion.

Goz wrote:Another thing if were to happen, we are all back-patting Hatton and Warren for this but Tszyu would deserve an enormous amount of credit too. Can you imagine if the boot was on the other foot?

Or can we imagine Calzaghe going to Oz to fight against Green?
Like I said on another post a while ago - I think Tszyu has cheapened his stock by agreeing to do this. On the one hand you can see him as a Champion unafraid to face anyone, anywhere. But a lot of the casual fans who go to the MEN regularly will just see him as another Hatton opponent, which I hate.

Not so sure on this one dude, I think even the casual fan will realise there is something more special about this one, the time for example, and the build up will prove this.

Regarding the 'delivered' thing, as you said, semantics. Was just trying to say that Warren has always said Hatton would get the big one.

STOP PRESS: As I was typing this John Rawling has just been on Radio 5 saying he has just spoken to Warren who said 'The fight is FAR from made' and something else about rank amateurism. And if Warren says that then I guess we have to believe him because he would want to take the credit fro making the fight.

The style of this 'negotiation' is reminding me of the Vivian Harris saga.

nickd · Post by **nickd** » 09 Jan 2005, 08:21

Well the casual fans in that case will know he's for real when the first bell rings and Hatton is fighting someone who is fighting back and intent on winning. As Goz mentions above I really think poor matchmaking will not help Hatton in this fight. Last year Hatton fought (not meaning to be disrespectful to the fighters) what amounted to four punching bags, not one of them had any ambition other than not getting hurt and I hardly recall him taking much leather in return. Now he's in the fight of his life against P4P one of the best fighters in the world - hardly the best preperation. I really dont give Hatton much of a chance to be honest, I think he'll go down valliantly but in 3 or 4 rounds. That Tszyu right hand is like nothing Hatton has ever seen before and I think he'll be in serious trouble when it lands. The fact that Hatton is wide open to that shot doesnt help either. If Hatton had been bought along the way Cotto is, i.e. fighting genuine contenders and challenges on the way up he'd have a much better chance. Fact is he's had too many knockover jobs and in all honesty have a look at his record he hasnt beaten 1 fighter who is genuine top 10.

Good luck to him I hope he does it - would be great for british boxing but I really think they are leagues apart.

MightyWarrior · Post by **MightyWarrior** » 09 Jan 2005, 08:32

Manos de Oro wrote:

Like I said on another post a while ago - I think Tszyu has cheapened his stock by agreeing to do this. On the one hand you can see him as a Champion unafraid to face anyone, anywhere. But a lot of the casual fans who go to the MEN regularly will just see him as another Hatton opponent, which I hate.

Well they're going to be in for a bit of a shock then. And Tszyu is doing what any great champion would do - like Ali or Robinson, he's planning on dropping by the local favorite's home town, kicking his arse, then picking up his massive paycheck thanks very much.

I think Tszyu will be looking for an early night. Can't see him wanting to go 12 hard rounds with Hatton, not at this stage of his career.
You might be right Goz - memories of the Magee fight: if the Russian lands hard early, it could all be over.

But Ricky has had some good fights to prepare for this - Tackie and Magee were good tests - fights where he couldn't afford to get hit too much, and generaly he didn't.

And while Tszyu is an excellent champ, he's not quite in the Duran league. He can be severely hurt himself - Hurtado, Phillips. As for the last fight, well Mitchell looked beat before the opening bell....

Manos de Oro · Post by **Manos de Oro** » 09 Jan 2005, 08:38

Goz wrote:Not so sure on this one dude, I think even the casual fan will realise there is something more special about this one, the time for example, and the build up will prove this.

Yeah, good point, surely they'll cotton on because of the time, purse Tszyu's getting, etc. I just hate to see a real Champion treated with ignorance.

BTW, I agree with MightyWarrior about the Mitchell fight. Mike Tyson was interviewed before the fight, after visiting Mitchell in his dressing room, and you could tell he knew as well what the story was. Mitchell lost that fight mentally more than anything else. Still, Tsyzu was the business...

Manos de Oro · Post by **Manos de Oro** » 09 Jan 2005, 08:44

By the way I'm serious about the whole TD thing.

Sometimes you have to go to such lengths to beat a fighter who has your number. I think Hatton's offensive style is taylor-made for Tszyu's right hand. Remember how Chavez got out of Jail in the Randall rematch...

KOJOE90 · Post by **KOJOE90** » 09 Jan 2005, 08:54

MightyWarrior wrote:And while Tszyu is an excellent champ, he's not quite in the Duran league. He can be severely hurt himself - Hurtado, Phillips. As for the last fight, well Mitchell looked beat before the opening bell....

I agree, Tszyu seems to be the flavour of the month at the moment in the Boxing world, just like Shane Mosely was a few years back, and we all know what happened there.

Tszyu is indeed an outstanding fighter you only need to take a look at the names he has beated amateur and Pro. But I don't believe he is the monster a lot of people seem to think he is. Hatton is a young, determined fighter, who has a very high workrate, great stamina and good power and will put Tszyu under a lot of pressure for the full 12 rounds if needs be. That in itself is a dangerous combination for a fighter who has been around for a long time like Tszyu.

I favoure Tszyu but I stand by my theory that Hatton has an excellent chance of winning.

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 09 Jan 2005, 09:07

Goz wrote:
Manos de Oro wrote:
Goz wrote:Wazza does appear to have delivered the big one for Hatton.
It's all semantics and not really important but I think delivered is the wrong word to use at this stage. If he's got the contracts signed I'd say the fight was secured rather than delivered. To use a crap analogy: say Wharton posts the signed contract out to Warren and it's due to arrive tomorrow, it's not 'delivered' just now is it?

Goz wrote:Also a little concerned about crowd security, there are going to be some very very very drunk people at the MEN, they will really need to be careful to avoid one of the blackest episodes in British boxing history, especially if as is likely, Hatton is beaten.
If it does all kick off in the arena the Chavez aftermath will seem like a day at pre-school for Tszyu. There will inevitably be fights because of the time and place, but the scale of them also depends on how Hatton loses (if he does). If he loses by early KO I think there'll be some tear-ups in the upper area of the MEN, where the schedule posters are, etc. If it goes the distance and he loses I think people will contain their rage until they get out into the street/city centre. There's a high chance of some really ugly scenes. Warren should splash out big on security, in my opinion.

Goz wrote:Another thing if were to happen, we are all back-patting Hatton and Warren for this but Tszyu would deserve an enormous amount of credit too. Can you imagine if the boot was on the other foot?

Or can we imagine Calzaghe going to Oz to fight against Green?
Like I said on another post a while ago - I think Tszyu has cheapened his stock by agreeing to do this. On the one hand you can see him as a Champion unafraid to face anyone, anywhere. But a lot of the casual fans who go to the MEN regularly will just see him as another Hatton opponent, which I hate.
Not so sure on this one dude, I think even the casual fan will realise there is something more special about this one, the time for example, and the build up will prove this.

Regarding the 'delivered' thing, as you said, semantics. Was just trying to say that Warren has always said Hatton would get the big one.

STOP PRESS: As I was typing this John Rawling has just been on Radio 5 saying he has just spoken to Warren who said 'The fight is FAR from made' and something else about rank amateurism. And if Warren says that then I guess we have to believe him because he would want to take the credit fro making the fight.

The style of this 'negotiation' is reminding me of the Vivian Harris saga.

Is this on the level, it is noticable that the fight has yet to be announced on fw.tv, though maybe they will only put it up when the press conference is set.

Goz · Post by **Goz** » 09 Jan 2005, 09:33

jamesmcdonnell wrote: Is this on the level, it is noticable that the fight has yet to be announced on fw.tv, though maybe they will only put it up when the press conference is set.

What I heard dude.

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 09 Jan 2005, 09:36

Hmm, possibly Tszyu is trying to force the issue through in his terms by declaring that the fight is set.

Bard of Boxrec · Post by **Bard of Boxrec** » 09 Jan 2005, 09:36

Manos de Oro wrote:BTW, I think it's an absolute disgrace it's on at 4am. It's shit the way everything has to pander around US TV. They'll probably have legit title fights on back to back weekends around the Hatton - Tsyzu fight. fornicate off.

he should have gone to america then...

seriously, does anyone have a terrible feeling that tszyu will cut hatton in the 1st, the fight will be stopped on the cut by the 3rd, and tsyzu will just move on to his fight with DLH.

I couldn't imagine how bad that would be, after years of false promises and build up.

MightyWarrior · Post by **MightyWarrior** » 09 Jan 2005, 09:38

Maybe Frank doesn't like the way the other guy has announced ( or leaked ) the fight news before he had a chance to call a press conf.
It's big news if true, and FW will have been really looking forward to delivering the news himself.

KOJOE90 · Post by **KOJOE90** » 09 Jan 2005, 09:39

Riddick Blowe wrote:seriously, does anyone have a terrible feeling that tszyu will cut hatton in the 1st, the fight will be stopped on the cut by the 3rd, and tsyzu will just move on to his fight with DLH..

That scenario had crossed my mind as well.

Manos de Oro · Post by **Manos de Oro** » 09 Jan 2005, 09:40

Riddick Blowe wrote:
Manos de Oro wrote:BTW, I think it's an absolute disgrace it's on at 4am. It's shit the way everything has to pander around US TV. They'll probably have legit title fights on back to back weekends around the Hatton - Tsyzu fight. fornicate off.
he should have gone to america then...

Too right.

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 09 Jan 2005, 09:54

MightyWarrior wrote:Maybe Frank doesn't like the way the other guy has announced ( or leaked ) the fight news before he had a chance to call a press conf.
It's big news if true, and FW will have been really looking forward to delivering the news himself.

This is what I suspect, there's been a lot of sabre rattling with this fight, Tszyu got the shits when Warren announced it was virtually a done deal, and now it looks like Tszyu might have decided to get his revenge by announcing the fight before Sports Network have a chance to do it.

MightyWarrior · Post by **MightyWarrior** » 09 Jan 2005, 09:56

jamesmcdonnell wrote:
MightyWarrior wrote:Maybe Frank doesn't like the way the other guy has announced ( or leaked ) the fight news before he had a chance to call a press conf.
It's big news if true, and FW will have been really looking forward to delivering the news himself.
This is what I suspect, there's been a lot of sabre rattling with this fight, Tszyu got the shits when Warren announced it was virtually a done deal, and now it looks like Tszyu might have decided to get his revenge by announcing the fight before Sports Network have a chance to do it.

Yep it's looking that way isn't it.........

Fightnews -

Tszyu calls presser!
By Craig Watt
IBF Jr-welterweight champion Kostya Tszyu has called a press conference for 11AM at his boxing gym in Rockdale, NSW, Australia on Monday to confirm details of his next fight. He will confirm a June 5th date in Manchester with unbeaten Mandatory challenger Ricky "The Hitman" Hatton from Manchester. It is expected that the 20,000 seat venue at the MEN Arena will be the location for the fight although potentially an open-air show may be an option. Hatton is a life-long Manchester City soccer fan and it has been an ambition to utilise the 40,000 seat venue for a major fight. The June date would be during the soccer off-season so the date could be accomodated if required. The fight will take place in the early hours of Sunday June 5th to accomodate prime time US TV audiences.

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 09 Jan 2005, 10:01

When was the last time a fight was staged in a football ground? Not doubting it, just trying to remember....must be a hell of a long time

Had the fight taken place at a regular hour, then I reckon they could have got a crowd of 40,000, but surely it will be difficult to get that many people to come to a fight at 4.00am, how are they going to get there for one thing, and you've got the problem of lots of people being fucked off their heads coming from clubs to the fight.