BoxRec

Did anyone see him on CH5 last week? The natural talent this guy has is quite something, and for once he came into a fight with full preparation. Fearless, remarkably fit, wonderfully skilled not to mention hugely entertaining with his unpredictable rushes, Burton would be an absolute nightmare for the Hitman.

I know if Warren announced Burton as the next opponent the whole board would groan (at the very least) but I'd be quietly pleased.

Afraid I have to disagree mate. I think Burton would give Hatton an interesting tussle, but he's no stiffer a test than the likes of Phillips and Tackie.
I'm not going to reprint his stats, as we all know how misleading they can be, but the simple fact is that he's almost always fallen short at the top level. Lack of preparation can only account for some of this.
I'd have no qualms in backing Hatton to win a wide points decision and certainly can't see Burton being an "absolute nightmare".

We'll find out Monday. That's when Hatton's next opponent is announced. It could well be Augustus, given his age. The American is an old 29.

bennie wrote:The American is an old 29.

Well he certainly didn't look it the way he breezed through 12 rounds last week at such a high workrate. It was great to see the difference in Burton when he's had a proper training camp. He has the natural stamina + speed of hand/foot to give Hatton his most uncomfortable night yet.

Kilburn wrote:

bennie wrote:The American is an old 29.

Well he certainly didn't look it the way he breezed through 12 rounds last week at such a high workrate. It was great to see the difference in Burton when he's had a proper training camp. He has the natural stamina + speed of hand/foot to give Hatton his most uncomfortable night yet.

Yeah, I thought he was in his 40s or something, and an old 29 doesn't have the same ring. But, more seriously, Hatton does like the 29-plus club, so Augustus fits the bill.

Yes, for me Augustus/Burton should be considered along the lines of a Kirkland Laing in the fact he had the talent to win a major version of the world title.

The way he dominated a prime Thaxton was quite something - okay, Jon was never a world champion, but he was considered by many to be in the worlds top ten at the time.

If Augustus had 6 weeks to prepare, I would be agree with Kilburn views on a perspective Hatton vs Augustus match up.

However, I can't see it happening myself - its too far a downward step.

yeah i saw that trujillo fight and was thinking the same thing this guy is a nutter and would give hatton kittens but it wouldn't happen, thank god.

29?! that does surprise me..didn't think he was that young!

Augustus would be a better fight for Cotto.

Southpaw Stylist wrote:Augustus would be a better fight for Cotto.

Great call actually. That would be a perfect measuring stick in terms of assessing Cotto's ability and potential. I don't think it's really in doubt, but he's been beating up on a lot of lightweights (just like Ricky!), so it can only be beneficial to see him in with a fully fledged light-welter.

Especially a slick light-welter who will give him angles instead of coming straight forward.

Southpaw Stylist wrote:Especially a slick light-welter who will give him angles instead of coming straight forward.

What would be your prediction if they fought? I'd still favour Cotto by a fairly wide points margin.

Cotto would stop him late.

Southpaw Stylist wrote:Cotto would stop him late.

Think you could well be right actually, given Mayweather Jr wore him down. Tough cookie though so I think Cotto would have to display a bit more urgency about his work and not be as laid-back as normal.

Burton's corner pulled him out against Mayweather because of the bleeding ear, he wasn't getting seriously hurt in there.

Cotto probably would bash up Emanuel down the stretch though.

At this stage of his career and after the tough battles he has had, Burton would crumble against Hatton.

A few years ago he might have taken him to the wire, but not now.

knockout artist wrote:At this stage of his career and after the tough battles he has had, Burton would crumble against Hatton.

KO Artist my good man, based on what evidence? Last week Burton's feet barely touched the canvas for 12 rounds and he threw over 1,000 punches. He may crumble one day but it definitely aint happening against Hatton (in 2004 anyway).

Kilburn wrote:

knockout artist wrote:At this stage of his career and after the tough battles he has had, Burton would crumble against Hatton.

KO Artist my good man, based on what evidence? Last week Burton's feet barely touched the canvas for 12 rounds and he threw over 1,000 punches. He may crumble one day but it definitely aint happening against Hatton (in 2004 anyway).

No evidence really. I just feel that fighting Hatton is a completely different proposition. I dont think Burton could handle the heat Hatton would bring.
I think Burton would compete early on and may pose problems, but would be stopped in around 8 rounds.

Hatton is very strong, well conditioned and agrressive. I just dont think Burton could handle it over the distance.

I'd pay to see it, but can see Burton getting stopped.

More overrating of the unproven Hatton.

Burton has proven he is an extremely durable fighter, and AFAIK has taken serious punishment in only a small fraction of his fights (e.g. Ward). Mayweather is on record as saying that Burton was his toughest opponent. Unlike Hatton, Burton has been in with the best and shown he can hang with them. His main problem is focusing enough to let those amazing natural gifts and ring skills of his come into play for the full course of a fight. He says that the recent birth of his daughter and first child has given him a new focus, and based on the Trujillo fight, I'd have to agree with him. (Sure, he did some clowning, but only when the fight was well in hand.)

Anyway, it's moot, because Warren would never let Hatton get in the ring with someone as quality as Burton.

(And the mods better keep their fingers off this post, because I'm clearly expressing an opinion here - pettifogging Warren lawyers be damned.)

I'd agree that Burton has been in with some of the best. But how many of them has he beaten?

He's won only 4 of his last 12 fights. OK, against good opposition and admittedly if he was matched as cautiously as Hatton his record would be much better.

But I dont think he has beaten a 140lbder as good as Hatton and I cant see him doing so, either.

I'd like to see the fight, which would be good for a while, but Hatton would win comfortably in the end.

knockout artist Posted: 14 Apr 2004 16:47
I'd agree that Burton has been in with some of the best. But how many of them has he beaten?

Alex Trujillo beat Juan Valenzuela (who’s been on a good run lately) and Emmanuel Clottey (beat Mohamad Abdulaev).
Trujillo also beat Jose Luis Juarez who beat Lovemore N'Dou & lost a split dec to Vivian Harris.
All these guys are on the same 2nd level as Phillips, Tackie & Mcgee.
He's won only 4 of his last 12 fights. OK, against good opposition and admittedly if he was matched as cautiously as Hatton his record would be much better.
But I don’t think he has beaten a 140lbder as good as Hatton and I can’t see him doing so, either.

I respect your opinion, but it is pure speculation as Hatton has not beaten anyone above 2nd level either.

I'd like to see the fight, which would be good for a while, but Hatton would win comfortably in the end.

Comfortably? I beg to differ,
besides if Hatton wants to gain respect from the international community, Augustus is not the fighter he should be facing.
At 35-0, it's time to step up or shut up.

35-0, he'll probably fight about 2 against good names in their prime, what a joke.

Eric the Viking wrote:More overrating of the unproven Hatton...
Anyway, it's moot, because Warren would never let Hatton get in the ring with someone as quality as Burton.

I think you're over-stressing the point way to much. Tackie and Phillips are both proven fighters who have operated at world-class level and are certainly both "as quality as Burton".
And before I get the "Phillips was washed up" argument, let's remember that is contradicted somewhat by the fact that in his fight immediately before facing Hatton he gave Sharmba Mitchell a very tough tussle.

The fight wasn’t that close;
Stephanie Ragusa at ringside for FightNews wrote on November 10, 2002,
“Mitchell (50-3, 29 KOs), who seemed far ahead, triumphed via a majority decision. Scores were 99-91, 96-94 and 95-95. The former WBA super lightweight champion's advantages in speed, quickness and movement were the difference in a bout in which there were no knockdowns. Phillips (44-7-1, 32 KOs), a former IBF titlist, picked up the pace in the bout's second half but fell far short.”

Mad hatters have picked up on one myopic judge and have pushed this view constantly on this Forum overlooking the fact that Phillips had won only half of his previous ten fights before Hatton.

As I said: All of these guys are on the same 2nd level, but Mad Hatters are passing Phillips & Tackie off as “TOP” level, which they’re not.
At 35-0, it's time to step up or shut up. 8)

Phillips nor Tackie were top draw opponenets