Breaking news: Hatton takes on Pinto

Dynamite Dean Phillips · Post by **Dynamite Dean Phillips** » 10 Feb 2004, 09:13

Hatton is peaking,

Surely Warrren does not want him wrapped in cotton wool for much longer.....if the guy has the potential to go right to the top of the tree, then sooner rather than leter he must fight these 'dangerous' guys.

Hardhitters11 · Post by **Hardhitters11** » 10 Feb 2004, 09:34

Agreed Dean.

Hatton needs these fights on a constant basis now to prepare himself for when he does meet the elite.

Cheers for the info James...I hope they take the fight.

HH

mrbassie · Post by **mrbassie** » 10 Feb 2004, 10:26

I like this match up if Pinto's reutation is to be believed then it ought to be good.
Everyone keeps talking about Gatti and certainly Hatton-Gatti is potentially a great war, but I don't want to see it right away, you could see Gatti still has problems fom the hand he broke in the Ward fight. Hatton-Gatti after that injury's sorted (assuming it ever will be)

stujones · Post by **stujones** » 10 Feb 2004, 11:02

I have to say, if this fight does happen.... Well done to the Daily Star for predicting it a while back.

Its rare to say that.

Lugh · Post by **Lugh** » 11 Feb 2004, 05:12

Don't understand this match-making at all.

Even by beating this relatively unknown quantity Hatton achieves little IMO.

Losing to him could be a serious impediment - particularly if another contender (eg - Cotto) then does a serious number on Pinto.

Surely there were better risk/return bouts out there?

Sweet P · Post by **Sweet P** » 11 Feb 2004, 05:26

How can 2 fighters who have never faced a top 10 opponent fight for the title.

mrbassie · Post by **mrbassie** » 11 Feb 2004, 05:43

Lugh wrote:Don't understand this match-making at all.

Ask yourself two questions; Who is promoting Hatton and which belt is it for?

Priff · Post by **Priff** » 11 Feb 2004, 06:06

Lugh wrote:Don't understand this match-making at all.

Even by beating this relatively unknown quantity Hatton achieves little IMO.

Losing to him could be a serious impediment - particularly if another contender (eg - Cotto) then does a serious number on Pinto.

Surely there were better risk/return bouts out there?

Couldn't agree more.
Hatton is a respected world title holder (not a holder of a respected world title before you lot go nuts), who is making himself & Frank Warrren good money.
Ultimately winning a WBO title will leave him in the same boat. (A respected holder of a minor belt, earning good money), so what's the point?
I don't think Frank has any motivation to get Hatton "bigger" fights (bigger in the sense of more Kudos rather than more money) other than keeping his fighter happy, and I reckon Hatton wants a real belt.
(Although Franks stance on the WBC is not going to help).
It would seem, to me, to be out of character for Frankie to make this fight.

Kilburn · Post by **Kilburn** » 11 Feb 2004, 06:35

I agree, it just doesn't seem like a Warren kind of match. Pinto doesn't have enough obvious weaknesses.

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 11 Feb 2004, 07:15

It would seem to be a very risky matchup with no palpable reward, save for a WBO bauble.

Having the WBO title could also hinder Hatton more than help him in terms of getting a 'proper' title belt. He is unllikely to get ranked if he holds a WBO belt by any of the other bodies.

Loftgroov · Post by **Loftgroov** » 11 Feb 2004, 07:19

Furthermore (and I may be wrong on this) isn't Pinto signed up to Golden Boy Promotions (or whatever its called) and essentially linked in with De La Hoyas crowd?

If so, and with the understanding he looks a top prospect, what is HIS TEAMS' reasoning for throwing him in with Hatton??

They must think he has an excellent chance of beating Hatton, or why risk him so early on in a promising career which could get ruined?

None of this bodes well for Ricky.

Priff · Post by **Priff** » 11 Feb 2004, 07:24

Loftgroov wrote:Furthermore (and I may be wrong on this) isn't Pinto signed up to Golden Boy Promotions (or whatever its called) and essentially linked in with De La Hoyas crowd?

If so, and with the understanding he looks a top prospect, what is HIS TEAMS' reasoning for throwing him in with Hatton??

They must think he has an excellent chance of beating Hatton, or why risk him so early on in a promising career which could get ruined?

None of this bodes well for Ricky.

Yeah he's a Golden Boy, and yes, ODH is backing him all the way.
It of course made sense for FW to pair Pinto with Witter, as Witter is a royal pain in the arse. Frankie couldn't really lose there. But risk the cash cow?

Bard of Boxrec · Post by **Bard of Boxrec** » 11 Feb 2004, 07:46

i'm going to slap £20 on Pinto. The only problem I see is if it goes to the scorecards. I don't think Pinto can win on points- Hatton is perfect for picking up home town decisions- big cash cow, needs to keep winning, come forward fighter so gives the judges excuse for scoring for aggression.

yeah, it's gonna be pinto by ko. kER-CHING.

problem is I'll still be inwardly rooting for hatton. this happened against tackie too.

salaco · Post by **salaco** » 11 Feb 2004, 07:54

Pinto has a pretty good punch and a nice jab but IMO his defence is a little questionable and I'm not sure he will stand up to Hatton's consistent pressure/physical strength....I'm surprised they are sticking Pinto in there, he's pretty taleneted but its far too soon to stick him in with Hatton...

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 11 Feb 2004, 08:38

A couple of things.

As i said before the fight has not actually been made, it's essentially been 'offered' to Hatton by the WBO, there is no indication that either Hatton or Pinto, or their respective promoters want the bout.

As for Pinto beating Hatton, he hasn't really beaten anyone which would make him a favourite in my book. At 6'0 tall, he has a lot of ribs to cover up, and bear in mind that Hatton has lost very very few rounds as a professional.

Hatton's style makes it difficult for his opponents to mount much of an attack, it's hard to do when you are constantly trying to bllock shots and get out of the way of someone trying to cave your ribs in.

Hatton has already taken some pretty heavy shots from Phillips and Tackie with very little in the way of ill effects, what proof is there that Pinto hits harder than either of these two?

I get a feeling this bout will not happen, I think there is too much at stake for both guys, and Pinto hasn't really the experience to be taking on Hatton yet, though there is obviously a lot more for him to gain than lose.

bennie · Post by **bennie** » 11 Feb 2004, 10:44

According to Boxingtalk.com, promoters Dan Goossen and allegedly are seriously discussing a Ricky Hatton-Lovemore N'dou showdown for Hatton's April 3 Showtime date in Manchester.
N'Dou gave Sharmba Mitchell all the trouble he could handle last Saturday night. Apparently, Paul Spadafora was Hatton's first choice of opponent, but Spadafora's promoter Mike Acri informed Showtime that Spadafora couldn't be ready in time for April 3. Acri did say his man would be ready for Floyd Mayweather and May 8. Spaddy is currently Team Mayweather's first choice of opponent.

Southpaw Stylist · Post by **Southpaw Stylist** » 11 Feb 2004, 10:46

Ben Keilty wrote:How can 2 fighters who have never faced a top 10 opponent fight for the title.

Great question.

Loftgroov · Post by **Loftgroov** » 11 Feb 2004, 11:33

Southpaw Stylist wrote:
Ben Keilty wrote:How can 2 fighters who have never faced a top 10 opponent fight for the title.
Great question.

Ben Tackie is top 10.

Chambers · Post by **Chambers** » 11 Feb 2004, 11:48

Loftgroov wrote:
Southpaw Stylist wrote:
Ben Keilty wrote:How can 2 fighters who have never faced a top 10 opponent fight for the title.
Great question.
Ben Tackie is top 10.

Great answer

bennie · Post by **bennie** » 11 Feb 2004, 11:51

Loftgroov wrote:
Southpaw Stylist wrote:
Ben Keilty wrote:How can 2 fighters who have never faced a top 10 opponent fight for the title.
Great question.
Ben Tackie is top 10.

Tackie wasn't ranked in the top 10 by any of the governing bodies prior to meeting Hatton. The highest he was ranked was number 14 by the IBF.

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 11 Feb 2004, 11:58

Let's get real for a second, the rankings of governing bodies mean little or nothing, go on to fightnews, and do a comparison of the various governing bodies, and tell me that you respect the rankings.

They are a rogues gallery and no mistake...

How come Gatti is fighting Branco for the vacant title? I mean name a top 10 fighter either of them has beaten? Micky Ward? I should coco.

Kilburn · Post by **Kilburn** » 11 Feb 2004, 11:59

Surely though Tackie was rated in the top 10 by say, Boxing Monthly or Ring? Can't really remember myself.

bennie · Post by **bennie** » 11 Feb 2004, 12:05

Kilburn wrote:Surely though Tackie was rated in the top 10 by say, Boxing Monthly or Ring? Can't really remember myself.

It was strange that Tackie was so lowly-ranked by the alphabet boys. I remember assuming Tackie was in the top 10 prior to Hatton until an editor on boxrec, Blue, pointed out otherwise. I was astonished.
The 10 stone division is dynamite at the moment.

shakermaker · Post by **shakermaker** » 11 Feb 2004, 12:09

yep 10 stone is one of the best divisions in boxing right now..........even with zab moving up it still looks dangerous for guys like Hatton who have big plans for the future.

Tackie was top 15 in my eyes when he fought Hatton.

stujones · Post by **stujones** » 11 Feb 2004, 12:11

shakermaker wrote:yep 10 stone is one of the best divisions in boxing right now..........even with zab moving up it still looks dangerous for guys like Hatton who have big plans for the future.

Tackie was top 15 in my eyes when he fought Hatton.

Yes, I'm glad Eamomn Magee is considering a perminant move to Welter, I wish Leijla would move down to Lightweight.

Breaking news: Hatton takes on Pinto

Hatton-N'Dou being discussed