Dennis Holbaek Pedersen for Hatton

bennie · Post by **bennie** » 31 Mar 2004, 14:22

Yeah. This has to be the new man.

http://www.boxrec.com/boxer_display.php?boxer_id=008509

Zhuge · Post by **Zhuge** » 31 Mar 2004, 15:01

That's terrible. Pedersen is average as a lightweight, but he doesn't have enough to go up against Hatton. I'd much rather see Hatton in with a legitimate 140 lb. fighter.

Blue · Post by **Blue** » 31 Mar 2004, 15:05

Both Miguel Cotto & Junior Witter are available.

hitman_hatton1 · Post by **hitman_hatton1** » 31 Mar 2004, 15:22

dear oh dear this is depressing

surely they can persuade sharmba mitchell

they did it with lewis-klitschko last summer.

showtime r showing the bill anyway surely they'd be up for it

stujones · Post by **stujones** » 31 Mar 2004, 15:45

Zhuge wrote:That's terrible. Pedersen is average as a lightweight, but he doesn't have enough to go up against Hatton. I'd much rather see Hatton in with a legitimate 140 lb. fighter.

Its as good as can be expected, he sounds fairly tricky and is probably better than Rios. For a short notice fight, its about as good as I expected - its better than no opponent.

Remember, this is nobody on this side of the ponds fault. Its not Hatton who hasn't shown, and Pinto has known the date a long time in advance - so no fault lies with the managment team.

I don't like any fighters being called names, I can understand the frustration, but I always like to give any fighter the benefit of the doubt. I always thought it was a odd fight really for both fighters to take. Pinto sounds like he has the ability to be up there with anybody (his amateur record is awesome). However, Hatton was too big a jump from the likes of Emmanuel Augustus. Pinto still has this practically perfect record a loss due to a lack of big fight experience (which Billy Graham said in Boxing Monthly was a key factor) against Hatton would do a lot of harm to his career.

Similarly Pinto was far to big a risk Hatton for little reward. So in some way its not a bad thing for both fighters, lets hope their path crosses with a major title on the line (and Pinto has proven himself). .

I do find it odd, because Pinto's team was talking very confidently and stated on britishboxing.net that he was on his way, however it was a major fight and both fighters need to be a 100% physically and mentally. An delay on flights should have been enough to cancel the fight, if someone is not 100% right then they shouldn't fight. If Hatton wins I don't want anybody saying "what if's" like could be said about Vince Phillips.

I am dissapointed because I was looking forward to this fight, I was going to go for Pinto but it was Hattons first opportunity at a slightly more meaningful belt, where now for both fighters I am not sure.

scurlaruntings · Post by **scurlaruntings** » 31 Mar 2004, 17:02

Blue wrote: Both Miguel Cotto & Junior Witter are available.

precisely.how on earth FW manages to come up with weak excuses n opponents to block this fight i dnt know

Zhuge · Post by **Zhuge** » 31 Mar 2004, 17:35

stujones wrote:Its as good as can be expected, he sounds fairly tricky and is probably better than Rios. For a short notice fight, its about as good as I expected - its better than no opponent.

Very true, Pedersen is better than no opponent and is better than nothing at all, however he is still a lightweight, and 140 is one of the deepest divisions in boxing -- it seems as if a suitable opponent in that weight class could be found if they looked hard enough. I wonder if Witter is in shape.

Remember, this is nobody on this side of the ponds fault. Its not Hatton who hasn't shown, and Pinto has known the date a long time in advance - so no fault lies with the managment team.

I wasn't placing blame, just pointing out that this is far from optimal considering the original opponent.

I don't like any fighters being called names, I can understand the frustration, but I always like to give any fighter the benefit of the doubt.

Not sure what you mean. I referred to the situation as "terrible," and made no reference to any of the fighters mentioned.

I always thought it was a odd fight really for both fighters to take. Pinto sounds like he has the ability to be up there with anybody (his amateur record is awesome). However, Hatton was too big a jump from the likes of Emmanuel Augustus. Pinto still has this practically perfect record a loss due to a lack of big fight experience (which Billy Graham said in Boxing Monthly was a key factor) against Hatton would do a lot of harm to his career.

I somewhat disagree. I think you are correct in that Hatton would be a big step up for him, however taking on a big challenge (especially in such a talent-rich division) is far from a bad thing. In these days, too many fighters are "prospects" for far too long. Although he's relatively wet behind the ears, he does hold wins over Augustus and Dagoberto Najera, and in his other 18 fights, he KO'd the opponents. And, although the WBO is not one of the big 3, it's certainly a "legitimate" world title (as legitimate as they can be when you can have more than one world champ). Why not take a shot at that if you're 20-0 and a big puncher? One loss to a top 5 guy in your division won't end your career.

Similarly Pinto was far to big a risk Hatton for little reward. So in some way its not a bad thing for both fighters, lets hope their path crosses with a major title on the line (and Pinto has proven himself). .

Hatton had the chance to fight for the WBO title, which was definitely worth any risk Pinto brought to the table. While there was little reward (other than the belt) for Hatton, I think the risk was minimal, and throwing Hatton in with a big puncher who doesn't know what it's like to lose (unlike recent victims like Vince Phillips and Ben Tackie) could answer some questions about him. It was a good (but not overly demanding) test for Ricky that would give him a more legitimate title than his WBU belt.

I do find it odd, because Pinto's team was talking very confidently and stated on britishboxing.net that he was on his way, however it was a major fight and both fighters need to be a 100% physically and mentally. An delay on flights should have been enough to cancel the fight, if someone is not 100% right then they shouldn't fight. If Hatton wins I don't want anybody saying "what if's" like could be said about Vince Phillips.

I am dissapointed because I was looking forward to this fight, I was going to go for Pinto but it was Hattons first opportunity at a slightly more meaningful belt, where now for both fighters I am not sure.

I was very much looking forward to this fight, but am still looking forward to the card. I think a lot of people are underrating Michael Stewart, and I think he can put up a good fight against Mitchell. I always enjoy watching Hatton fight, and I'm sure I'll enjoy watching him blow out Pedersen as well.

Southpaw Stylist · Post by **Southpaw Stylist** » 31 Mar 2004, 17:38

Are we 100% sure it's off?

scurlaruntings · Post by **scurlaruntings** » 31 Mar 2004, 18:00

Southpaw Stylist wrote:Are we 100% sure it's off?

yes its on fightnews

Southpaw Stylist · Post by **Southpaw Stylist** » 31 Mar 2004, 18:10

That was surely with a hint of irony?

stujones · Post by **stujones** » 31 Mar 2004, 18:56

Zhuge - sorry for the messed up reply, not sure how you do those quote things so pretty.

Zhuge wrote:
stujones wrote:Its as good as can be expected, he sounds fairly tricky and is probably better than Rios. For a short notice fight, its about as good as I expected - its better than no opponent.
Very true, Pedersen is better than no opponent and is better than nothing at all, however he is still a lightweight, and 140 is one of the deepest divisions in boxing -- it seems as if a suitable opponent in that weight class could be found if they looked hard enough. I wonder if Witter is in shape.

Would you seriously think Witter would take this fight at short notice, he already done that once and it essentially has put him 4 years in the boxing wilderess - he's got his own agenda and own path to follow. I'm sure he'll want to fight Hatton, but when he in prime condition - he simply cannot be in 3 days. The only fighters who would take it are guys with "nothing to lose" (i.e. someboy already defeated). Would you rather a Ted Bami come in, personally I think Pedersen is a better option.

Remember, this is nobody on this side of the ponds fault. Its not Hatton who hasn't shown, and Pinto has known the date a long time in advance - so no fault lies with the managment team.
I wasn't placing blame, just pointing out that this is far from optimal considering the original opponent.

Sorry, I didn't mean you at all just reading post on this and other forums.
Not sure what you mean. I referred to the situation as "terrible," and made no reference to any of the fighters mentioned.

Yes, I agree as I said about Stewart he's no mug - I would have been dissapointed if he was Hatton's original opponent, he certainly top 15 material.

Dynamite Dean Phillips · Post by **Dynamite Dean Phillips** » 01 Apr 2004, 04:22

Pederson has fought most of his career at super feather.

J · Post by J » 01 Apr 2004, 04:26

groan.

Kilburn · Post by **Kilburn** » 01 Apr 2004, 05:11

I'd rather not watch Hatton at all than against another non punching lightweight.

Why oh why couldn't we have had Juan Valenzuela on stand by?!

E · Post by E » 01 Apr 2004, 06:05

scurlaruntings wrote:
Blue wrote: Both Miguel Cotto & Junior Witter are available.
precisely.how on earth FW manages to come up with weak excuses n opponents to block this fight i dnt know

Come on mate, be serious...

Do you really think Cotto could be convinced to come in on 3 days notice?? They would have to pay him LOADS and FW would never be able to afford it.

It is a big fight and Showtime wouldn't have time to publicise it fully to make up for all the money they would have to pay Cotto.

As for Witter - I don't think Witter would take the fight at this short notice without a huge payday - and this fight would be too risky for Hatton at short notice.

Lenny · Post by **Lenny** » 01 Apr 2004, 06:12

Witter has stated on the bbc he would take the fight.

MightyWarrior · Post by **MightyWarrior** » 01 Apr 2004, 06:16

Just saw that on teletext - wonder what Warren makes of that?
He's running out of options - putting Hatton in with that Danish pastry is a complete joke - he may aswell stay in bed.
At least match him with a guy his own weight for f****s sake!

This is a disaster - has to be Mitchell ( pay Stewart step aside money ) or that man Witter.

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 01 Apr 2004, 06:18

What a surprise!

That's a bit rich coming from Witter. I do think he's taking the piss a bit there....no way on god's earth is that going to happen.

Whilst I think Hatton would have him anyway, that is certainly not a fight I would take. Hatton has been training for a totally different fighter, a late sub you would want to be someone very similar or someone you know you can beat, why risk it?

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 01 Apr 2004, 06:20

It is bad business sense for showtime to have Hatton fight Mitchell. That is a very big fight for the division, and you don't want that as a late sub fight, as one of them is going to lose and damage their position in the rankings.

I would be amazed if that happens.

dondada · Post by **dondada** » 01 Apr 2004, 06:23

Apart from the superficial problems with boards and belts (which can ALWAYS be sorted if the price is right) I honestly think FW should try and give it a go to make the match between Hatton and Mitchell.

I think it's a good fight for both camps. Hatton will fight anyone and I'm quite sure he would take the fight. He fancies his chances against anyone and rightly so.

Mitchell? Here is a man who is 33 with plenty on the clock. What is he waiting for? A big pay day? I don't know how much money it would cost to get this on but it might not be as much as people think. I mean, what type of purse could Mitchell command against another of the world's top 140 pounders? 2 mill? And that is the over-optimistic top line, if you ask me. I bet he'd settle for half that. AND he probably thinks he could beat Hatton.

The downside, and probably why it won't happen, is that Showtime have not had enough time to promote it and it is probably just too late to get all the paper ready.

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 01 Apr 2004, 06:28

That's my point Ian, the whole point of shipping Mitchell over was an obvious preamble to him fighting Hatton in the summer. They brought in an opponent who he could look good against to build for a fight some time this year.

Judging my Mitchell's recent performances, I think Hatton will take him easier than people think, as you say he's got a hell of a lot of miles on the clock, he's been a pro for 16 years and has what, 54 fights is it? He's also a reflex based fighter

I think ultimately it's showtime who won't want to make the fight now, especially as there is an additional cost of paying Stewart step aside money, and they probably haven't sold all the tickets they could have done if they'd been promoting Hatton v Mitchell.

MightyWarrior · Post by **MightyWarrior** » 01 Apr 2004, 06:38

I think Showtime would settle for Mitchell - Hatton is the draw, and like Oscar ( on a smaller scale of course ) the opponent is secondary, as long as he's decent.
The MEN is virtualy sold out already - biggest crowd there since Tyson's fight.
There's so many great fights at 140, that Mitchell getting beat wouldn't leave them short of options.
Bad luck for Stewart - but let's face it, he's probably got around 10 fans and how many of them have bought tickets at the MEN?

It's the logical choice at this point, similar to Lewis taking Vitali at short notice. Lots of people said there was no time to sell the fight, but it still went ahead.

Witter says he'd knock Hatton out in 2 or 3 rounds - is he serious? I wonder if Warren will call his bluff - stranger things have happened.

J · Post by J » 01 Apr 2004, 06:39

OH dear its not looking too clever is it.
The down side is the whole card goes down the pan now, do you think they will cancel the show if Hatton cant find an opponent?

To be honest at this stage I would take him fighting anyone and just go and enjoy myself. Finding it all a bit stressful not knowing either way. Anyone think this will be resolved by the time the press conf happens at 4 ? (if that is still on perhaps the sound man wont turn up cos he has a nasty bout of delhi belly)
Nature of the game I suppose.

Questions I would like to ask the promoters though is
Why is there not a suitable replacement on standby when
a) It must have been known that Pinto was not happy with his team to people inside the business.

b) it also must have been known his wife was pregnant and that always has the potential for complications or delays with something like this.

c) He didnt arrive when he was supposed to and now 2 days prior to the fight he calls it off. Surely alarm bells must have been ringing a week ago and a contingency could have been put in place.

To me this is amateurish, frustrating for the fans and poor planning.

Im not suggesting there should be a sub available for all fights but I cant believe Warren and his team were not privvy to some of this knowledge and if they wernt its surely their job to ensure they are in the know for such a big event?

Piss poor in my view. If I behaved like that in my job Id be sacked within a week.

MightyWarrior · Post by **MightyWarrior** » 01 Apr 2004, 06:48

Pinto has come up with three excuses so far. I think it's safe to say he never had the balls for this fight, and was going to get beaten out of sight.

PLEASE LET IT NOT BE PEDERSON!

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 01 Apr 2004, 06:57

No, I personally think it's something to do with money....