BoxRec

Boxrec editor, Blue, pointed out that Kelson Pinto won over the weekend.
He stopped Jose Otavio da Silva in two rounds in Brazil to take his record to 20-0 [18].
There's no doubt Ricky Hatton's fighting a live one on April 3.

Is this guy the goods....or another Angel Vasquez??

bigynzing wrote:Is this guy the goods....or another Angel Vasquez??

If Warren's willing to risk his golden goose against him, he must be beatable.
Or maybe Warren had no option but to match Hatton tough after the big win over Tackie and with Showtime calling the shots. They weren't going to accept another Aldo Rios.
If you look at the light-welterweight 'world' rankings, you would have to say the untested Pinto probably represents the least risk (but he's still a risk). There aren't many easy opponents at 10 stone right now.

if he was a big risk he would not be in with ricky at this stage in his career,fw must see him as a good mark on hattons card.

Come on lads. Pinto is young, unbeaten, can obviously bang, and isn't a name fighter, whatever way you look at it, this is a good fight, and one which is a risk, if Hatton loses, he loses his lofty ranking to a fighter who wasn't going to really enhance his standing either.

Of course Warren wants to match Ricky in a fight he thinks he can win, he's hardly going to put him in with someone he thinks it is unlikely he can beat, unless it was for a title in which case it's worth the risk.

Most Americans are applauding the choice of opponent, how come people here are being so critical?

Yeah...i looked at Pinto`s record and was unimpressed by the names, but i was impressed by the way he just blows away the no-body`s like a true talent would do...so im in two minds at the moment.

Well if Pinto wasn't up to much, De La Hoya's promotion company wouldn't be backing him all the way would it.....

I say this doesn't bode well for Hatton.

I still find it a strange fight, the only thing I can think is maybe (and this is a guess nothing more) FW has some options on Pinto. Hatton has reached that stage where he is now a name in America. If Pinto beats Hatton, that will be a sensational result for him (and show he is the real deal) Pinto could then become an sensation in America - and be a potentially bigger earner than Hatton for sports network. Cotto is going to be a major draw, now as fantastic as Hatton vs Cotto would be, Pinto vs Cotto has the potential to be a bigger earner (especially if Pinto beats Hatton) - given their history.

NOW, I am not suggesting FW is using Hatton as a whipping boy for Pinto, but if he does have options - then the result might not be such a massive blow, to his personal finances. Hatton I believe will always sell out the M.E.N win, lose or draw next time - and is young enough to quite easily bounce of a setback. Pinto would then be a ticket to crack America.

If Warren hasn't got options on Kelson, then it is odd an no-win fight. If Hatton wins, then the critics will say he beat an overprotected bum (ala Viet) if he loses, then of course he loses alot of potential money on his prise goose.

stujones wrote:I still find it a strange fight, the only thing I can think is maybe (and this is a guess nothing more) FW has some options on Pinto. Hatton has reached that stage where he is now a name in America. If Pinto beats Hatton, that will be a sensational result for him (and show he is the real deal) Pinto could then become an sensation in America - and be a potentially bigger earner than Hatton for sports network. Cotto is going to be a major draw, now as fantastic as Hatton vs Cotto would be, Pinto vs Cotto has the potential to be a bigger earner (especially if Pinto beats Hatton) - given their history.

NOW, I am not suggesting FW is using Hatton as a whipping boy for Pinto, but if he does have options - then the result might not be such a massive blow, to his personal finances. Hatton I believe will always sell out the M.E.N win, lose or draw next time - and is young enough to quite easily bounce of a setback. Pinto would then be a ticket to crack America.

If Warren hasn't got options on Kelson, then it is odd an no-win fight. If Hatton wins, then the critics will say he beat an overprotected bum (ala Viet) if he loses, then of course he loses alot of potential money on his prise goose.

Good post, Stu. There's no doubt it is an out of character match for Sports Network to take for their man. I think you've hit the nail on the head with your options take.

The only guy i recognize on Pinto`s record is Emanuel Augustus and it went the distance....although augustus has been in with some top quality operators...i would expect Hatton to walk through him...maybe thats what Warren is thinking...but then who knows what goes on in the paranoid head of his.

bennie wrote:Boxrec editor, Blue, pointed out that Kelson Pinto won over the weekend.
He stopped Jose Otavio da Silva in two rounds in Brazil to take his record to 20-0 [18].
There's no doubt Ricky Hatton's fighting a live one on April 3.

Well, I wouldn't read too much into his latest blowout win - he's KO'd the same da Silva guy (for whom this was just the 5th pro fight) once before, in a KO1 win in June of 2002.

But his UD over the tricky, experienced (but bit of a mental case) Burton/Augustus tells me he has some skills. Given that his opposition has been all over the map quality-wise but he's beaten all of them rather easily, it sounds like Pinto is a bit of a cipher. Based merely on his relative inexperience and lack of world-class opposition (but perfect, loudly-ballyhooable-from-a-promoter's-standpoint record) you'd expect him to be an ideal foil for a guy like Hatton, but the fact that he is somewhat of an unknown means we may be in for a surprise. Perhaps Warren & Co. have checked this guy out and spotted something that led them to conclude it would be a "safe" fight for Ricky, but OTOH perhaps their tried and true formula for picking hypable-to-the-domestic-populace stiffs for their fighters missed something here. I for one hope it's the latter. ;)

bennie wrote:Boxrec editor, Blue, pointed out that Kelson Pinto won over the weekend.
He stopped Jose Otavio da Silva in two rounds in Brazil to take his record to 20-0 [18].
There's no doubt Ricky Hatton's fighting a live one on April 3.

I think this is a good match and could be a great fight, I myself am looking forward to it.

Already told the girlfriend I'm busy on April 3rd!

Put it this way I have followed Pintos career for a good few years since I saw an article in one of the magazines about him.

I have seen him on tape 2-3 times as well.

I will be backing him cashwise and in the prediction league.

HH

i'm all for taking risks i just hope this one doesn't go pear shaped he's 27th in the world and looks more of a dangerman than sharmba mitchell who's ranked no 2 in the world.

Hardhitters11 wrote:Put it this way I have followed Pintos career for a good few years since I saw an article in one of the magazines about him.

I have seen him on tape 2-3 times as well.

I will be backing him cashwise and in the prediction league.

HH

traitor :x

i was speaking to a yank who's seen him quite a bit and he reckons he's pretty good but a bit easy to hit to the head and he tipped hatton to beat him as well.

Nah mate just think this may be a good chance to get good odds and a good few points in the league......hope im wrong.

HH

I believe Pinto carries his hands low, which is a bit worrying. Also, I noticed today that his last TWO opponents (Nelson Santos and Da Silva) were both former blowout victims. So they can be essentially discounted as padding out wins. What's the point of a two-round warm-up over a man you previously stopped in the first?
Crazy.