Freitas vs. Hatton Next

Phenomenal-Nutrition · Post by **Phenomenal-Nutrition** » 24 Jan 2006, 14:35

Freitas vs. Hatton in the works

Staff Writer (spam.com)

In a conversation with Marc Abrams and Arben Paloka of “The Boxing Show,” spam.com’s popular internet radio show, Zahir Raheem brought up some very interesting news.

After stripping Diego Corrales of his title, the WBO stated that the two next available fighters would fight for the title. Acelino Freitas, as the mandatory, was one available opponent, and Zahir Raheem, who is ranked third by the organization, was the next available opponent.

Zahir Raheem informed Marc and Arben that a fight between him and Freitas was not very likely. “No I believe he’s going to fight, I believe Ricky Hatton.” stated the lightweight star. “That’s what they’re working on now. It’s a more lucrative deal for him I guess. That’s how all the people see it.”

Ricky Hatton holds the International Boxing Federation (IBF) and World Boxing Association (WBA) titles and is generally considered to be the world champion at the Junior Welterweight division.

“It was supposed to be Acelino Freitas, me and him for the WBO,” continued Raheem,”but he has not got back with the sanctioning body to give him 30 days and now [Promoter, Artie] Pellulo is looking to get the deal with Ricky Hatton since he has a three fight deal with him.”

As of now, all of this news is speculation. spam.com has contacted the offices of Artie Pellulo and we await a callback from him.

Pretty synical move by Hatton if he makes this fight, Freitas didn't really do anything at lightweight, Gatti would be a better opponent

Freiheit · Post by **Freiheit** » 24 Jan 2006, 14:41

This is here when someone says that Hatton will fight yet another blown up super featherweight, it almost seems like its him to blame for his past opponents and not Warren.

Foggy · Post by **Foggy** » 24 Jan 2006, 17:24

I think Hatton-Frietas would be a good fight.

Think the action would be very fast then Hatton would grind Frietas down around round 8 or 9.

I understand Frietas would be moving up but he is a world class fighter & i'd personally accept the fight with open arms.

Mick Sturbs · Post by **Mick Sturbs** » 24 Jan 2006, 19:31

Freiheit wrote:This is here when someone says that Hatton will fight yet another blown up super featherweight, it almost seems like its him to blame for his past opponents and not Warren.

Finally, the penny drops!

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 24 Jan 2006, 20:25

Hmm, don't you think Hatton had ANY say in the choice of opponents. Naive to say the least....

I would rather see Fretas have had some fights at 140 against decent oppopnents first.

Freitas may have been weight drained against Corralles, but the way he quit doesn't bode well for his chances against Hatton.

My guess is that Hatton survives a few early bombs to walk through him in about 6th-7th.

MaxPow · Post by **MaxPow** » 24 Jan 2006, 20:51

It's good to see that Hatton looks to be facing only the best competition.

vargas · Post by **vargas** » 24 Jan 2006, 23:34

With all of the bigger names already scheduled to fight, I'd like to see Hatton fight Witter just to put an end to that rivarly.

Neri · Post by **Neri** » 25 Jan 2006, 00:59

I'd be happy with this for Hatton's US debut. Freitas, although not a light welter is still a world class fighter and can punch, and also he is a big name. Better than Rabah or M'Baye anyway.

ALI · Post by **ALI** » 25 Jan 2006, 05:24

I was praying Hattons next opponent would not be Gatti, but on hearing this news Gatti would be a blessing!!!

Hatton should fight somebody his own size. Let Frietas prove himself at the weight before giving him a shot 2 world titles...... he certainly does not deserve it.

P.S just imagine if Frietas knocked Hatton out

the words 'laughing stock' spring to mind!!

MightyWarrior · Post by **MightyWarrior** » 25 Jan 2006, 06:56

MaxPow wrote:It's good to see that Hatton looks to be facing only the best competition.

Yeah who next I wonder, Mark Too Sharp Johnson?

MaxPow · Post by **MaxPow** » 25 Jan 2006, 07:52

MightyWarrior wrote:
MaxPow wrote:It's good to see that Hatton looks to be facing only the best competition.
Yeah who next I wonder, Mark Too Sharp Johnson?

I'm hoping for a fight with Alfonso Gomez. A marquee match-up indeed.

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 25 Jan 2006, 08:01

Had he fought Freitas two years ago, this would have been a good matchup, but after life and death struggles with Barrios, and getting the shit whupped out of him by Corralles, this is a much diminished fight.

I do hope Hatton's career doesn't turn into major talk about fighting the likes of Mayweather, whilst treading water against the likes of Freitas.

boxingchat · Post by **boxingchat** » 25 Jan 2006, 08:47

Mick Sturbs wrote:
Freiheit wrote:This is here when someone says that Hatton will fight yet another blown up super featherweight, it almost seems like its him to blame for his past opponents and not Warren.

Finally, the penny drops!

At last, you lot have caught on. Hatton had the final say on ALL opponents. I hear Billy Graham actually tried to turn down 'Dangerous' Dennis Pedersen down as being too dangerous at short notice. They even asked for another £100k to face him according to court papers.

Acelino Freitas, a 130 lbs fights who failed at 135lb and will get blasted at 140 lbs.

Pefect for Hatton. Golden Boy and the others wouldn't have sufffered his
desire for easy opponents for big money hence Pellulo getting involved with his only fighter of note albeit for one last payday.

Wales · Post by **Wales** » 25 Jan 2006, 09:03

says on seconds out he's signed a deal with fight academy, no mention of opposition though.

stujones · Post by **stujones** » 25 Jan 2006, 09:07

I'm with the majority who are not that pleased with the match up, more so than the weight its the level of opposition that Freitas has fought of late - he seems to be in semi retirement.

However, he did win a world title at Lightweight, so not sure he can be deemed a failure at that weight.

Wales · Post by **Wales** » 25 Jan 2006, 09:07

I dont mind this as a first fight (if it comes to fruition) in the US, Is it any worse than Mayweather facing Mitchell / Brussells ?? there are far worse championship matches being made in world boxing. My Judgment will be made on his choice of opposition after his first excursion to the US.

Fretias was top 10 p4p 18 months ago and has only lost the once to Corrales.

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 25 Jan 2006, 09:27

Mayweather has drawn heavy criticism this year though, for not fighting decent opposition, and let's not forget that in the past he faced Corralles and Castillo. Mayweather has a better resume than Hatton, whose only stand out is Tszyu really.

I have long suspected that the supposed 'rift' between Hatton and Warren was little to do with opponents and more to do with money.

It's all well and good criticising the promoter, but who is to say that boxingchat isn't right in this instance and Hatton oked his long list of dreary opponents. After all, it was largely money for old rope, sell-out at MEN arena against no-mark opponent on Sky or even PPV, and a nice fat paycheck.

Easy to then deflect criticism to your promoter/management team, saying that you cannot get the big fights.

Now i don't know whether this is true or not, but it's hardly fanciful to suppose that Hatton was happy with this arrangement.

I would rather have seen Hatton in with a proven 140 lber than Freitas, despite being world class, Freitas isn't going to be physically strong enough at 140 to handle Hatton. He'll be outweighed by 15 lbs come fight night.

E · Post by E » 25 Jan 2006, 10:03

I always defend Hatton who is the best thing to happen to British Boxing since Hamed; but I don't agree with this choice of opponent.

He has nothing to gain and all to lose. Freitas has not fought a light welter before and used to be super feather.

If Hatton blast him out, it will be more 'so what' and if he has a tough fight people say he is overrated. And if he loses.....lord.

Having said that I reckon it will still be a good/exciting fight.......

stujones · Post by **stujones** » 25 Jan 2006, 10:19

E wrote:I always defend Hatton who is the best thing to happen to British Boxing since Hamed; but I don't agree with this choice of opponent.

He has nothing to gain and all to lose. Freitas has not fought a light welter before and used to be super feather.

If Hatton blast him out, it will be more 'so what' and if he has a tough fight people say he is overrated. And if he loses.....lord.

Having said that I reckon it will still be a good/exciting fight.......

His last two fights were at Light Welter, although not against much.

Just who is this sports network that are apparently managing him..

http://www.boxrec.com/boxer_display.php?boxer_id=006563

Wales · Post by **Wales** » 25 Jan 2006, 10:51

has this fight been made or is it still in rumour mill mode?

Phenomenal-Nutrition · Post by **Phenomenal-Nutrition** » 25 Jan 2006, 11:45

Rumour

steve689 · Post by **steve689** » 25 Jan 2006, 11:52

Well it could be worse i suppose, at least the blown up opponent is a former world champion with credentials albeit at a lower weight class (or two) and not another Rios, Vilches, Oliveira, Pedersen (the list goes on) type of guy. But after all the names being banded about it does seem a bit of a let down. At least Freitas's power makes it interesting, but with his wild swings and Hatton boring in with body shots on the inside i see a fatigued Freitas getting stopped around 10.

states · Post by **states** » 25 Jan 2006, 12:52

Hmm. Could be worse. I'd prefer Freitas to Rabah, for instance. But it should be a whole lot better. I know everyone's (Mayweather, Cotto etc) seemingly tied up at the minute, but I can't get too excited about a fight I expect Hatton to win inside 8 or 9 rounds.

Steve Kim mentions on Maxboxing that Freitas-Raheem could be on HBO in April, so maybe this isn't happening anyway. I wish Hatton would get off his Holidays and actually announce something, this speculation is boring me now, to be honest.

Autobarn · Post by **Autobarn** » 25 Jan 2006, 16:09

i'm not thrilled by this matchup but at least it's not as bad as Hatton-Gatti - a mugging of an overmatched opponent in the old Hatton tradition. Freitas too would be overmatched and it seems he won't like having a gut check, bad news when there's an insistent, strong pressure guy after you.

steve689 · Post by **steve689** » 25 Jan 2006, 18:03

Is Hatton's career the smoke and mirrors, right place, right time sort of affair it is appearing to be at this very moment in time?