Hatton on Mayweather

[Chambers2]

Hatton knows he has to beat Mayweather for legacy

By Ant Evans: "I beat Kostya Tszyu, who was number one in the division, and by doing that I became number one in some people's minds but to some people I know need to fight Floyd Mayweather to be the undisputed number one," said a thoughtful Ricky Hatton before adding, "And I agree. I have to fight Mayweather and that's the big fight I'm looking forward to next year."

In a idiosyncratic contradiction which could only exist in the sport of boxing, with its multiple champions and many weight divisions, IBF champion Hatton is acknowledged the man in the 140lbs (10stone) division but, somehow, Mayweather, the recognised No.2 at junior welterweight, is concurrently considered by most to be the best pound-for-pound exponent of the sweet science - the best fighter at any weight.

"It's a fight which has to happen for exactly that reason, really," Hatton told SecondsOut. "Everyone ranks me at No.1 at the minute but, pound-for-pound, Mayweather ranks above me so we have to settle this. Like I said before, I want to win all the major titles and after I win the WBA title (from Carlos Maussa, Sheffield, England, November 26) the big fight with Mayweather for all three belts is the obvious big event next summertime."

The mercurial Mayweather has already dismissed the Manchester Hitman as just another crude brawler, a one trick pony destined for an Arturo Gatti-like dissection courtesy of his scalpel sharp skills and speed. However, in his own way, Mayweather has a healthy respect for Hatton.

He must have, because the three-division world champion spoke almost nervously about Hatton's use of rough-house tactics, which, at least to me, indicates acknowledgement that the Hitman would achieve a measure of success with that battle plan where Mayweather's previous opponents - including Diego Corrales and even Jose Luis Castillo - did not.

"I'll go gentle on him," Hatton laugh. "I promise not to rough him up too much. I just think him saying stuff like that is just him. He's like the Junior Witter of America, he hasn't got a good word to say about anyone expect himself. Personality wise, he's very different to me, that's for sure."

But Hatton knows just how difficult it will be to defeat the Pretty Boy. "He's got amazing skills," Hatton admitted. "He's pound-for-pound the best in the world, he's great to watch, skilful, lightning fast, I always watch his fights. But I don't think he's the biggest fighter in the world. I don't think he's got much physical strength. When I went to see him fight Gatti, I saw him at the weigh-in and asked myself the question whether or not he was big enough or tough enough to hold me off for 12 rounds. And that'll be the big question once the fight comes along."

Hatton's trainer goes further. "Ricky against Mayweather will be the first Sugar Ray Leonard v Roberto Duran fight all over again," began Billy Graham. "Ricky, like Durand did, will just drag the master-boxer into a fight for the first time in his life and beat him."

"I'm a big Mayweather fan," 'the Preacher' added. "I think he is fantastic, a wicked talent. The Mayweather fight is the one me and Ricky has talked about for over two years. We knew he'd come, we knew we'd fight him at some point and I've been watching Mayweather very closely for exactly that reason. But this is the biggest fight of Mayweather's career, too, because he's not had a super fight in a long time, if ever.

"Mayweather should forget all the talk of fighting Winky Wright at middleweight and start building to what would be a huge, a mega fight in the summer. I've been against Winky Wright twice before so I know him well (Graham's charges Ensley Bingham and then Steve Foster were obliterated by Wright in Manchester a decade ago) and Winky would dwarf Mayweather and absolutely pulverise him. Mayweather, if he is serious about Wright, needs a frontal lobotomy. He should concentrate on all the great fighters in any around his own division and forget Winky Wright because he wouldn't have a hope in hell's chance."

I suggested that Kostya Tszyu, because of his punch power and sheer physical strength, was the hardest fight of Hatton's career but the biggest challenge of Graham's career would be to devise a strategy to best the ultra-talented Mayweather.

"Actually, I think it could be one of the easiest fights for me," he said. "But let everyone build Floyd up - more kudos for us when he beat him. Everyone says the one fighter to give him trouble was Castillo (in the first of their two fights) but Castillo made every mistake a pressure fighter shouldn't make. He threw punches to arms and elbow, there was no thought to go along with his pressure, he was committing himself first. I remember watching the fight and thinking Ricky wouldn't make any of the types of mistakes Castillo was making.

"And people who say Ricky is just and English Gatti - and look what Mayweather did to Gatti (in June) are dead wrong. I knew Gatti had no chance. He didn't have a plan at all, he was even asking Ricky for advice on the day of the actual fight!

"Ricky is bigger, stronger, faster, younger, a much bigger puncher and an all-round more talented fighter than Gatti. As much as I love Gatti, he never had a chance with his style against Mayweather.

"But trust me. Take cuts away and Ricky beats Mayweather seven nights a week."

Father and business manager openly admitted the turned down the chance to at least negotiation for a Mayweather fight in 2004. "That was the one fight, style wise, which I thought we needed a few more fights before taking," said father Ray Hatton. "But now Ricky has gone up to the top level with Tszyu and got the big win, there's no-one I wouldn't put him in with and not feel confident that he'd beat."

[Kilburn]

It's alright saying Ricky is better than Gatti, he'll bloody have to be a LOT better if he's even got a chance of narrowing the gap.

Personally I think Mayweather looks immensely strong now at 140. He's not just going to fade against Hatton after a bright start, he's got way too much class, confidence and experience for that to happen.

[Chambers2]

It's alright saying Ricky is better than Gatti, he'll bloody have to be a LOT better if he's even got a chance of narrowing the gap.

Personally I think Mayweather looks immensely strong now at 140. He's not just going to fade against Hatton after a bright start, he's got way too much class, confidence and experience for that to happen.

You'd have to put PBF as favourite, but I think Hatton can cause him all sorts of problems if he can keep up the educated pressure in the first half of the fight (he may lose the majority of the rounds), and then he can start turning the screw and as we saw against Tszyu, Ricky comes into his own down the stretch, due to his excellent fitness and workrate.

I'll be putting abit of wonga on Ricky if the fight is to happen

[split_decision]

It's alright saying Ricky is better than Gatti, he'll bloody have to be a LOT better if he's even got a chance of narrowing the gap.

Personally I think Mayweather looks immensely strong now at 140. He's not just going to fade against Hatton after a bright start, he's got way too much class, confidence and experience for that to happen.

You'd have to put PBF as favourite, but I think Hatton can cause him all sorts of problems if he can keep up the educated pressure in the first half of the fight (he may lose the majority of the rounds), and then he can start turning the screw and as we saw against Tszyu, Ricky comes into his own down the stretch, due to his excellent fitness and workrate.

I'll be putting abit of wonga on Ricky if the fight is to happen

Yeah I think Ricky may be worth a punt if it comes off. Mayweather is bound to be a hot favourite so you'd probably get a half decent price on ricky pulling off the upset.

[Max Molyneux]

What Floyd's chin like? Only saw his fight with Gatti and Gatti hardly touched him so wouldn't know. Floyd will have trouble keeping Hatton off him though.

[Kilburn]

Mayweather sees virtually every punch that comes his way, while Hatton is not a knockout artist. This fight would not come down to the quality of Mayweathers chin I know that much.

[Manos de Oro]

Got a feeling this fight won't happen - wouldn't bother giving it attention till it's signed. Could end up talking in circles for months.

But for what it's worth, even though I think Mayweather's speed would give Hatton the most trouble, the venue (i.e. sanctioning commission) and ref would be the biggest factors in deciding a winner.

[jamesmcdonnell]

Hatton's trainer goes further. "Ricky against Mayweather will be the first Sugar Ray Leonard v Roberto Duran fight all over again," began Billy Graham. "Ricky, like Durand did, will just drag the master-boxer into a fight for the first time in his life and beat him."

Excellent analogy, but can Ricky be as cute as Duran? Duran was bloody hard to hit on the inside and was a far more versatile fighter in close.

I agree though that Gatti was a beaten man entering the ring, he knew in his heart of hearts he has no chance. I believed he did going in there, but the way he fought, he might as well have gone in there blindfold.

[Manos de Oro]

Apologies in advance to all Ricky fans about to read this, but this is how I think a Vegas fight with Floyd would play out:

Mayweather would be basically unhittable with those big Grant pillows cupped over his ears or ribs.

Every time Ricky drives him to the ropes the ref (Nady or Dracula would be the worst) would break them, allowing Floyd room to slam in that left jab - arguably the best in boxing right now.

Then Ricky starts to get marked up and the sixth or seventh round comes... along with the point deductions for holding Floyd behind the head or spinning him around (generally trying to rough him up). Pure frustration. He keeps coming forward but can't get in.

Then you get the camera shots of Ricky's travelling contingent with the glum faces, standing in silence, knowing their man is beat, having to watch the same twenty second car crash for three minutes, over and over.

There might be a stoppage between 10 and 12, maybe a merciful decision from the corner. There might not be.

Then a heavily swollen up Ricky gives the TV interview to those at home. "I'll be back, etc."

But he doesn't come back, he retires.

[Manos de Oro]

Of course, if it was in Manchester/UK and Ricky was allowed to use his pressure tactics then it could all turn out VERY different.

Which I would quite like, as I'd love to see Mayweather get a proper doing.

[johnswan1]

Hatton's trainer goes further. "Ricky against Mayweather will be the first Sugar Ray Leonard v Roberto Duran fight all over again," began Billy Graham. "Ricky, like Durand did, will just drag the master-boxer into a fight for the first time in his life and beat him."

Excellent analogy, but can Ricky be as cute as Duran? Duran was bloody hard to hit on the inside and was a far more versatile fighter in close.

I agree though that Gatti was a beaten man entering the ring, he knew in his heart of hearts he has no chance. I believed he did going in there, but the way he fought, he might as well have gone in there blindfold.

I think Mayweather is a lot closer to Leonard than Hatton is to Duran.

[Kilburn]

And would Mayweather ever abort his natural style to have a war with Ricky Hatton? I seriously doubt it.

[jamesmcdonnell]

There's always a possibility that Mayweather would end behind on points if they clashed. Hatton rarely loses a round as he throws so many shots and is so aggressive.

[Max Molyneux]

Best chance Ricky has to batter him is on the ropes and he's good at that.

Only way Mayweather would comeover here would be for 20 mill according to here.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/boxing/4166680.stm

[Coconut]

Best chance Ricky has to batter him is on the ropes and he's good at that.

Only way Mayweather would comeover here would be for 20 mill according to here.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/boxing/4166680.stm

Mayweather's full of more shit than a constipated rhino.

[Ezzard]

Hatton's trainer goes further. "Ricky against Mayweather will be the first Sugar Ray Leonard v Roberto Duran fight all over again," began Billy Graham. "Ricky, like Durand did, will just drag the master-boxer into a fight for the first time in his life and beat him."

Excellent analogy, but can Ricky be as cute as Duran? Duran was bloody hard to hit on the inside and was a far more versatile fighter in close.

I agree though that Gatti was a beaten man entering the ring, he knew in his heart of hearts he has no chance. I believed he did going in there, but the way he fought, he might as well have gone in there blindfold.

I think Mayweather is a lot closer to Leonard than Hatton is to Duran.

Have to agree on that. BUT Ricky won't be figthing a naturally bigger man which might be a help. I still get excited watching Duran standing right enxt to leonard but making him miss again and again, one of the greatest perfomrances I've ever seen.

[Max Molyneux]

Best chance Ricky has to batter him is on the ropes and he's good at that.

Only way Mayweather would comeover here would be for 20 mill according to here.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/boxing/4166680.stm

Mayweather's full of more shit than a constipated rhino.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v181/max05/getout.jpg

[jamesmcdonnell]

Excellent analogy, but can Ricky be as cute as Duran? Duran was bloody hard to hit on the inside and was a far more versatile fighter in close.

I agree though that Gatti was a beaten man entering the ring, he knew in his heart of hearts he has no chance. I believed he did going in there, but the way he fought, he might as well have gone in there blindfold.

I think Mayweather is a lot closer to Leonard than Hatton is to Duran.

Have to agree on that. BUT Ricky won't be figthing a naturally bigger man which might be a help. I still get excited watching Duran standing right enxt to leonard but making him miss again and again, one of the greatest perfomrances I've ever seen.

Fair point, and one I meant to raise, yes, Ricky is the naturally bigger man, but then Duran did go on to be a force all the way to middleweight even way past his best.

Size difference doesn't matter if you're unable to hit your opponent. Ricky has many talents, but staying in the pocket without getting hit isn't one of them.

I can see why Mayweather doesn't want to come here. If Ricky is allowed to maul, shove, hold and bull him to the ropes, it could be very difficult for him, if I were Mayweather, I would want a neutral referee and venue at the least.

As for fighting Winky, dream on, Winky will fornicating cream him.

[silkov]

Its crazy to compare Ricky to Duran.... Duran is in another league. But Mayweather is a lot closer in skills to Leonard than Hatton is to Duran so I don't see Hatton beating Floyd. Not that I think the fight will come off. 8)

[johnswan1]

I think Mayweather is a lot closer to Leonard than Hatton is to Duran.

Have to agree on that. BUT Ricky won't be figthing a naturally bigger man which might be a help. I still get excited watching Duran standing right enxt to leonard but making him miss again and again, one of the greatest perfomrances I've ever seen.

Fair point, and one I meant to raise, yes, Ricky is the naturally bigger man, but then Duran did go on to be a force all the way to middleweight even way past his best.

Size difference doesn't matter if you're unable to hit your opponent. Ricky has many talents, but staying in the pocket without getting hit isn't one of them.

I can see why Mayweather doesn't want to come here. If Ricky is allowed to maul, shove, hold and bull him to the ropes, it could be very difficult for him, if I were Mayweather, I would want a neutral referee and venue at the least.

As for fighting Winky, dream on, Winky will fornicating cream him.

Do you think Winky would cream him? I'd like to think that he would but I'm not so sure. I think that Winky's Peek-A-Boo counter punching tactics are good against the likes of Trinidad and a slower version of Mosley but I can see Mayweather being far too quick and accurate for him and Winky charging after him to try to win rounds would probably be playing right into PBFs hands. Then again, if he trapped him in a corner he should be able to take his head off.

[johnswan1]

I'd love to see Mayweather stepping all the way up against old man Hops to try to prove he's undoubtedly P4P #1 and for Hops to give him the beating of his life!

[jamesmcdonnell]

Have to agree on that. BUT Ricky won't be figthing a naturally bigger man which might be a help. I still get excited watching Duran standing right enxt to leonard but making him miss again and again, one of the greatest perfomrances I've ever seen.

Fair point, and one I meant to raise, yes, Ricky is the naturally bigger man, but then Duran did go on to be a force all the way to middleweight even way past his best.

Size difference doesn't matter if you're unable to hit your opponent. Ricky has many talents, but staying in the pocket without getting hit isn't one of them.

I can see why Mayweather doesn't want to come here. If Ricky is allowed to maul, shove, hold and bull him to the ropes, it could be very difficult for him, if I were Mayweather, I would want a neutral referee and venue at the least.

As for fighting Winky, dream on, Winky will fornicating cream him.

Do you think Winky would cream him? I'd like to think that he would but I'm not so sure. I think that Winky's Peek-A-Boo counter punching tactics are good against the likes of Trinidad and a slower version of Mosley but I can see Mayweather being far too quick and accurate for him and Winky charging after him to try to win rounds would probably be playing right into PBFs hands. Then again, if he trapped him in a corner he should be able to take his head off.

Winky's southpaw jab would probably take his head off, let alone the power shots. Winky has a massive reach as well, so Mayweather would have to leap in andout all night.

[silkov]

I think the person to beat Winky will be someone who is faster than him and so Mayweather would have a chance I think. His biggest problem would be the size disadvantage... but its not an easy fight for Wright.

[J]

i think some of you are getting far far too carried away here, you are talking about a man who has had 3 fights at 140 and has only just moved up.

beating a nonpuncher in corley, who gave him his moments of trouble.

Beating a man not worthy to get in the same ring in terms of skills and a c leverl fighter at best in world terms in Brusslles and an old and shopworn Arturo Gatti.

To suggest seriously that he would beat a fellow p4p star in wright, who is a bona fide light middle / middle is just pure fantasy and shows just how gullible some of you are to this bullshit talk.

tell me what he has done exaclty to suggest he would even get past the half way mark unless the ring was half the size of texas and he had a bike to get on everytime winky was within range.


utter tosh.

[Ezzard]

Winky would beat Mayweather IMO. He's such a clever performer. he'd jab his way to a decision.