Tszyu V Hatton preview

knockout · Post by **knockout** » 03 Jun 2005, 06:29

i knocked this up for a friend for another forum, thought i might share it with you guys.....

A few points re Hatton v Tszyu
Hatton was Bronze medallist at the 1996 world junior championships in cuba, although it is widely known he was on the receiving end of some rather dodgy judging so could have arguably got silver or Gold. So upset with the polictics of Amateur boxing he turned pro with Warren. Hatton won a number of national junior titles BUT never fought as a senior at the highest level.
Kosta was one of the best amatuers of all time, went to the seoul olympics as a 19 year old and lost to eventual winner Andreas Zuelow (east germany), the following year he beat Zuelow to become Euopean champion although lost again to Zuelow in the world cup.
1990 he won the goodwill games beating future world champion Terron Millet on the way to gold.
1991 he again won the European championship and travelled to Sydney for the World championships….. he won gold beating future World champion (and Shane mosley conqueror) Vernon Forrest in the final.
So whereas Hatton was a world class Junior, Kosta is really one of the best Amateurs the world has seen… shame we never saw Hatton as a senior.

The fact that Kosta Tszyu is training in a sweat suit shouldn’t be cause for concern (or a glimmer of hope) he is a total professional and has probably trained in a sweatsuit for all is fights prior to this and he hasn’t done to badly so far!!!

Much as I like Hatton (he is a genuine nice guy) it is pretty hard to find a way for him to win….
At the higher level his body shots haven’t been that damaging, Tackie, Philips, Magee all took them without too much trouble.
The left hook to the body that he favours leaves him very exposed to Kosta lightning fast and accurate right hand.
Hatton can be hurt and cut badly and he will do well to go 12 rounds without getting caught by a big Tszyu right hand. How he reacts when he gets caught will be crucial and the whole fight hinges on that in my opinion….. worst case scenario Hatton gets caught early like Judah and gets put to sleep….
Whilst Hatton has a superb work rate, most of his opponents have been naturally smaller guys therefore easier to wear down…. He did well against Philips but Vince had used diuretics to make weight so must have been very weak in there….Tackie is a tough fit man and although limited, we saw Hatton tiring slightly and holding towards the end of the fight which is a slight worry….
In this fight for only the second time in his career (magee the first) Hatton will be in with a naturally bigger stronger man……I don’t think he can over come Tszyu’s physical and technical advantages…..
He can be hurt by the right hand, cut early and as some have suggested may get caught to the body himself. I remember for a moment against Jason Rowlands he looked in some discomfort from a body shot (the only time I have seen him hit with one) and he admits that it was getting flattened in the gym by a Pat Barrett (one of manchesters finest fighters) body shot that inspired him to work on it in the gym!!!!!!

Manos de Oro · Post by **Manos de Oro** » 03 Jun 2005, 07:02

Great write up, knockout - it's all spot on. Hatton just hasn't shown he has the chin to take Tsyzu's power. If a mediocre, lunging, straight right from a 'desperate' Tackie had him on the way to sea, what's a well timed laser shot like that beauty Kostya hit Miguel Gonzalez with in round 4(?) going to be like? Ouch.

Manos de Oro · Post by **Manos de Oro** » 03 Jun 2005, 07:07

BTW, does anyone have that Gonzalez fight on computer file and can make one of those GIF animation picture clips from it? That shot - double jab, then right hand I think it was - is an absolute beauty. Can't believe Gonzalez stayed up, never mind took about 6 rounds more of that type of punishment. Reminded me of Hopkins doing a number on Glen Johnson that fight - I like clinical performances, but it's horrible to watch that kind of torture.

Syntax Error · Post by **Syntax Error** » 03 Jun 2005, 08:10

I can't understand why a fight between an Englishman & an Australian, that is taking place in England is on at 2am!

I know it's for the sake of the American's, but there is no US interest here!

We always have to stay up until 4, 5, 6 am to watch the big fights from the US & for once, we get a big fight in my home city & I have to wait until 2am to see it!

knockout · Post by **knockout** » 03 Jun 2005, 09:04

Syntax Error wrote:I can't understand why a fight between an Englishman & an Australian, that is taking place in England is on at 2am!

I know it's for the sake of the American's, but there is no US interest here!

We always have to stay up until 4, 5, 6 am to watch the big fights from the US & for once, we get a big fight in my home city & I have to wait until 2am to see it!

i think with Kosta being a P4P boy and having fought a lot in america (hattons fights get shown over there a lot too) there actually is a lot of interest........... anyway Showtime are paying the wages so they can have it when they want

Loftgroov · Post by **Loftgroov** » 03 Jun 2005, 09:35

Syntax Error wrote:I can't understand why a fight between an Englishman & an Australian, that is taking place in England is on at 2am!

I know it's for the sake of the American's, but there is no US interest here!

We always have to stay up until 4, 5, 6 am to watch the big fights from the US & for once, we get a big fight in my home city & I have to wait until 2am to see it!

The fat Yanks supply the most revenue to the networks... so as unfair as it is... its just tough I guess..

Bard of Boxrec · Post by **Bard of Boxrec** » 03 Jun 2005, 09:51

yeah, there actually is a lot of interest and it wouldn't have been possible without showtime's money.

The yanks are in charge here and I for one don't mind.

Kilburn · Post by **Kilburn** » 03 Jun 2005, 09:51

For me the only option Ricky has is to stay on his toes, try to make the most of his youth and be a quick, razor sharp counter puncher. Wait for Kostya to make every move.

Hatton is such a lovely lad I pray this doesn't all end in tears for him after all these years of build up.

KOJOE90 · Post by **KOJOE90** » 03 Jun 2005, 10:00

Waking up this morning I had a semi-dream / daydream were Tszyu was sat ringside doing his post-fight interview and he was saying "Ricky is a tough, young fighter, who gave me a few problems in there, and I have no doubt Ricky can be World Champion one day"

The nearer to fight time I get the more nervous for Ricky I am getting. I still strongly believe Hatton has a chance of winning, but the odds are stacked against him.

Go get him Hatton!!!!

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 03 Jun 2005, 13:01

Kilburn wrote:For me the only option Ricky has is to stay on his toes, try to make the most of his youth and be a quick, razor sharp counter puncher. Wait for Kostya to make every move.

Hatton is such a lovely lad I pray this doesn't all end in tears for him after all these years of build up.

IF he loses, there's no shame in losing to a future hall of famer, who is more experienced and one of the top 5 fighters on the planet.

MightyWarrior · Post by **MightyWarrior** » 03 Jun 2005, 15:42

Nice write up knockout, it does put things in perspective. No wonder so many see Hattons chances resting on a wing and a prayer.
But maybe age can even things up a little tomorrow night - looks a bit ominous otherwise..
Graham had a good line Zoo doesn't realise, in Manchester he'll have a fukcing tiger by the tail

But at times, Zoo looks like the big cat - eyeing up a plump pigeon...

Syntax Error · Post by **Syntax Error** » 04 Jun 2005, 02:46

Loftgroov wrote:
Syntax Error wrote:I can't understand why a fight between an Englishman & an Australian, that is taking place in England is on at 2am!

I know it's for the sake of the American's, but there is no US interest here!

We always have to stay up until 4, 5, 6 am to watch the big fights from the US & for once, we get a big fight in my home city & I have to wait until 2am to see it!
The fat Yanks supply the most revenue to the networks... so as unfair as it is... its just tough I guess..

That's a fair point!!! :(