BoxRec

yup i agree the mitchell fight defo flattered tszyu somewhat - i mean if u look at mitchell's previous form - he struggled with lovemore ndou who i consider a pretty average fighter(altho amazingly tough) and altho he had stewart down three times he couldnt finish him and never seemed to get out of second gear in that fight. If hatton had fought mitchell i think he would have stopped him too although not in quite as quickly and in as devastating fashion as tszyu.

To think I picked Mitchell to beat Tszyu

A lot of people were telling me Mitchell was shot going into that fight, that his legs were gone, and that he'd looked bad in training. He looked like shit against N'dou, who really isn't a very special fighter, and looking back on it, seemed intimidated going in to face Tszyu.

i think Hatton might be just the fighter to stop zoo, not cause zoo is past it but because his honey punch works for Ricky.

I think Haton will box with a little less pressure to begin with and maybe try to lure zoo into throwing the right hand, he can then block that across with his right hand and land the left to zoo's body, a couple of those and fatigue will set in.

Course if he mistimes it then he could get caught flush . . .

Hopefully it'll be a good fight. Tough one to call.....Tszyu is obviously class, but he hasn't had a tough fight in a while so might get 'old overnight'. And Hatton's all about pressure, which I'd have thought would be ideal for taking advantage of a fighter who's not had a tough fight for a while and might 'get old'. Or Tszyu might just counter the shit out of Hatton.

Sad to say I'll miss it....I have to go to work on an Italian ship where there's no Sky TV. Ironically the ship will be parked next to an oil rig which may well have Sky but I won't be allowed on board! Miss the Champions League final as well. Annoying.

Still, on the plus side I'll be back in time for the free re-run of the fight on Sky, so I'll save myself the PPV fee.

bugs wrote:i think Hatton might be just the fighter to stop zoo, not cause zoo is past it but because his honey punch works for Ricky.

I think Haton will box with a little less pressure to begin with and maybe try to lure zoo into throwing the right hand, he can then block that across with his right hand and land the left to zoo's body, a couple of those and fatigue will set in.

Course if he mistimes it then he could get caught flush . . .

Maybe Tszyu will land his own devastating body shots and take out Hatton. Tszyu is a vicous body puncher also and has more power than Hatton.

You seem to be making out that Tyszu is invincible compared to Hatton. Has an answer to everytime zoo looked wobbled or hurt.

This fight gets stopped in the later rounds, with Hatton's face cut to bits from the Zoo jab. I really can't see Hatton's face holding up with the kind of skin he has. If hes been badly cut before...what the hell is going to happen this time! Its only going to be worse.

Tszyu arrives in UK 22nd May.

Red hot Kostya ready to rumble

By Grantlee Kieza, The Australian

IN a chilling warning for England's most popular fighter, trainer Johnny Lewis says Kostya Tszyu is the sharpest he's ever been in the 13 years they have worked together.

Tszyu defends his IBF junior-welterweight title against great British hope Ricky Hatton before a sell-out crowd of 22,000 at Manchester's MEN Arena on June 5 and Lewis says his fighter is in even better form than when he crushed Sharmba Mitchell in his last fight in November.

"I've trained Kostya since he came to Australia from Russia in 1992 and I've never seen him look this good," said Lewis, who is normally guarded in his praise for his fighters.
"He's been sparring [Australia's world No.1 middleweight contender] Sam Soliman and a new kid we've hired from America named Kendall Holt and Kostya has been absolutely brilliant.
"His timing and his power are spot on and I couldn't be more confident about him beating Ricky Hatton."

Holt, who arrived in Sydney this week, has a record of 18 wins in 19 fights and in his most recent bout ended the unbeaten run of US Olympian David Diaz, who sparred with Tszyu before the Mitchell fight last November.

Tszyu, who leaves for England in two weeks, says he has enormous respect for Hatton, who is unbeaten in 38 fights, but says the Englishman is often wild with his punches.
"Sometimes he throws punches without even looking where they are going," he said. "He just throws them and hopes they land somewhere. I believe I will have too much experience and power for him."

Soliman said his only fear for Tszyu was that he was starting to peak too early.
"If Kostya takes this form into the ring Hatton won't have a chance," Soliman said.
"He is really boxing beautifully and hitting like a heavyweight.

"But I hope he hasn't hit top form too early because the big fight is still a month away."

Tszyu to win in the middle rounds on cuts and to be pelted from the ring. I think it could go fornicating horrible in that atmosphere if there happens to be some sort of stoppage win for Tszyu the place will erupt

It has been a while since Ricky was cut. So we'll see. I think it is going to be a more cautious opening 2 rounds as they try to see exactly if the hype about the other is true.

I cant wait.

Does anyone know the full undercard? And is it being shown in the states (I guess it is that is why it is at 2am right?)? What network?

bugs wrote:It has been a while since Ricky was cut. So we'll see. I think it is going to be a more cautious opening 2 rounds as they try to see exactly if the hype about the other is true.

I cant wait.

Does anyone know the full undercard? And is it being shown in the states (I guess it is that is why it is at 2am right?)? What network?

Its on Showtime http://www.sho.com/site/boxing/event.do?event=453575

bugs wrote:i think Hatton might be just the fighter to stop zoo, not cause zoo is past it but because his honey punch works for Ricky.

I think Haton will box with a little less pressure to begin with and maybe try to lure zoo into throwing the right hand, he can then block that across with his right hand and land the left to zoo's body, a couple of those and fatigue will set in.

Course if he mistimes it then he could get caught flush . . .

A couple, don't be silly. Tszyu isn't going to just fold the first time he starts getting nailed, and he's going to be hitting back, it will take many rounds of pressure from Hatton to wear Tszyu down, and he won't be in with a statue like Tackie, or a human punchbag like Stewart, or an outgunned lightweight like Rios and Pederesen, and old man like Phillips, or someone who came to survive, and did, like Vilches.

Ricky is taking a big big leap up in terms of class, ambition, skill and mental toughness.

I think Ricky has a chance of doing it, but it's not going to happen from landing a few body shots.

James,

I dont just mean softening him up to the body, I mean the kind of body punches that have stopped a lot of (admittedly less significant) fights on Hattons record. I just see that tactically the length that Tzyu throws his right arm forward could really open him up to them if Hatton blocks across and steps in.

Ever since this match was made my biggest problem when trying to give Hatton a realistic chance is that his punches are very unlikely to trouble Kostya at any stage. What do you think is going to happen if and when Ricky lands his left hook to the ribs, is this amazingly strong man Tszyu going to grimace, bring his right knee off the ground and start back-peddaling around the ring? I just can't see it.

And if you can't hurt Tszyu I just don't see how you can beat him unless you're blindingly fast.

bugs wrote:James,

I dont just mean softening him up to the body, I mean the kind of body punches that have stopped a lot of (admittedly less significant) fights on Hattons record. I just see that tactically the length that Tzyu throws his right arm forward could really open him up to them if Hatton blocks across and steps in.

Hatton couldn't stop Tackie, Vince Phillips or Vilches, what makes you think he's going to stop Tszyu? Tszyu will throw more shots at Hatton than those three men combined did. Hatton isn't a massive puncher, he looks excellent against outgunned opponents or people

I really can't wait for this one. It's testament to the pulling power of this fight that we've been making predictions 6 weeks in advance.

Whooooo, I'll have finished my degree by then, get a few drinks down, even the housemates will be up for it..

GREAT NIGHT IN STORE, even if the fight won't last long.

jamesmcdonnell wrote:
Hatton couldn't stop Tackie, Vince Phillips or Vilches, what makes you think he's going to stop Tszyu? Tszyu will throw more shots at Hatton than those three men combined did. Hatton isn't a massive puncher, he looks excellent against outgunned opponents or people

Well as I said the reason I think that is because of the way Tszyu leaves his ribs open when he throws that right hand. That is why Tszyu waits until he is in a good position when he throws it, coz if he gets blocked then his ribs are there to be hit. But with Hatton's honey punch being the left to the ribs I think it makes for a very interesting contest and could see that doing a lot of damage to Tszyu

bugs wrote: Does anyone know the full undercard? And is it being shown in the states (I guess it is that is why it is at 2am right?)? What network?

David Barnes v Bradley Pryce 12
British Welterweight Title
Featherweight Stephen Foster v Sándor Koczák 12
WBU Featherweight Title
Heavyweight Danny Williams v Ralf Packheiser 10
Welterweight Christian Bladt v Wayne Alexander 8
Heavyweight Alexander Povetkin v ?

MightyWarrior wrote:Heavyweight Alexander Povetkin v ?

I am looking forward to seeing what this Russian Heavyweight Amateur star is like.

MightyWarrior wrote: David Barnes v Bradley Pryce 12
British Welterweight Title
Featherweight Stephen Foster v Sándor Koczák 12
WBU Featherweight Title
Heavyweight Danny Williams v Ralf Packheiser 10
Welterweight Christian Bladt v Wayne Alexander 8
Heavyweight Alexander Povetkin v ?

Wasn't looking for a Don King 'Night of the Champions' style line up, but I was hoping there would be like one standout domestic clash on the bill. In Barnes - Pryce, I favour Barnes too heavily to really get excited about it. Stephen Foster Jr. against John Simpson might have been interesting, but of course he's going the WBU 'route'. If they could get Dann against Lockett it would be great - Scott would be warmed up and confident given his recent history. Though is Lockett anywhere near 11st 6? Dunno really, there must be some match they could make to wet the appetite?
Then again, they could probably sell the tickets at the same price without a bloody undercard! :x

I can't see Hatton beating Tszyu in any other way than on cuts. Contrary to what most people think, Tszyu's win against Urkal was one of his better wins, he outboxed a boxer, because he thought it was his best chance to win the fight and he did. Hatton will not win a (fair) decision against Tszyu and I don't think he can knock him out, Tszyu is the toughest and strongest fighter in his division. The Phillips fight was a bloodbath, Tszyu was poorly prepared and fatigued, after which Vince landed constant bombs for the best part of 3 rounds before Tszyu's legs started to buckle.

It's true that boxers can get old in this sport overnight, but Tszyu has always prepared well for his fights, has only 30 odd fights to his name, and the one time he was badly hurt was 10 years ago.

Manos de Oro wrote: Then again, they could probably sell the tickets at the same price without a bloody undercard! :x

Yeah the words piss & poor spring to mind.

Here's what Barry McGuigen thinks -

http://www.allegedly.tv/fw4/viewArtic ... ticle=2041

bugs wrote:

jamesmcdonnell wrote:
Hatton couldn't stop Tackie, Vince Phillips or Vilches, what makes you think he's going to stop Tszyu? Tszyu will throw more shots at Hatton than those three men combined did. Hatton isn't a massive puncher, he looks excellent against outgunned opponents or people

Well as I said the reason I think that is because of the way Tszyu leaves his ribs open when he throws that right hand. That is why Tszyu waits until he is in a good position when he throws it, coz if he gets blocked then his ribs are there to be hit. But with Hatton's honey punch being the left to the ribs I think it makes for a very interesting contest and could see that doing a lot of damage to Tszyu

And you think the most accurate puncher in boxings just going to walk round the ring continously throwing the right hand and missing against Ricky Hatton who is not know to be the best at slipping or parrying punches. When has Hatton ever counterpunched? If Ricky takes a straight right he won't come back with a left to the body. Also remember Ricky very rarely puts a fighter down with 1 left to the body

If Ricky wins it will be on a UD because of his higher punch output.

MightyWarrior wrote:

bugs wrote: Does anyone know the full undercard? And is it being shown in the states (I guess it is that is why it is at 2am right?)? What network?

David Barnes v Bradley Pryce 12
British Welterweight Title
Featherweight Stephen Foster v Sándor Koczák 12
WBU Featherweight Title
Heavyweight Danny Williams v Ralf Packheiser 10
Welterweight Christian Bladt v Wayne Alexander 8
Heavyweight Alexander Povetkin v ?

Small correction, Alexander vs Bladt will be at light middle (Bladt really should get back down to welter, but thats another story)

[quote="Phenomenal-Nutrition]
And you think the most accurate puncher in boxings just going to walk round the ring continously throwing the right hand and missing against Ricky Hatton who is not know to be the best at slipping or parrying punches. When has Hatton ever counterpunched? If Ricky takes a straight right he won't come back with a left to the body. Also remember Ricky very rarely puts a fighter down with 1 left to the body

If Ricky wins it will be on a UD because of his higher punch output.[/quote]

What is with all the problems people have with my posts here, I do not think that, I never suggested that, I just said that ricky may draw him in to get him to throw that punch, I realise he does not throw it all the time, I stated that, I realise it is a risk that Hatton may get caught, I stated that, I never suggested it would be a single shot to the body, I stated that. All I am saying is that the way Tzsyu thows that right hand, could allow Ricky to block it and land his best shot, this could give ricky the egde, I stated it.