BoxRec

I was surprised and annoyed to hear Hattons comments after the fight the other night.

First of all, I didn't like how the Sky commentators were talking up the Gatti fight all night (although I did enjoy and agree with Watts critical analysis during the fight).

Secondly, when asked about fighting Gatti, Hatton spoke about how he deserves an easy opponent for his next bout, probably against a mandatory.

Why is he now looking for an easy opponent? He should be aiming straight for Cotto and Mayweather while he is in his prime (and before Cotto a) gets better or b) gets beaten).

Maussa WAS an easy opponent. Yes he was awkward and caused a shock by beating Harris but he is still far below the level we (I) expect Ricky to be fighting at. Even though it was for the WBA belt, it was a fight Ricky did not take a lot of punishment in (apart from the cuts, caused by headbutts).

It now looks like Hatton will be probably only fighting twice a year, particularly next year after news that he won't be able to fight for six months. I'm a big fan of Hatton but he has only fought one competitive fight in his last six with the remainder (Maussa, Oliveira, Stewart, Vilches & Pedersen) all being poor.

I'm not criticising him for fighting Maussa because one can expect a softer opponent after the Tszyu fight but now it's time to move on and step it up again. This talk of wanting a yet another non-competitive bout is ridiculous.

What belt is he going to have the mandotary for? WBA - M'baye that means he has to work with Warren again, can't see that happening. The IBF is against that Ben Rabbah chap, hardly what his fans over here or the yanks over there want to watch!! I think he is saying Gatti as he thinks it will be an easy fight and one that the yanks would pay alot of money for. I personally see it as a bit of a joke! If he waits 6 months, that is plenty of rest and plenty of time to organise a big fight. If he wants to be the best, there should be no backward steps from now.

I wonder who will promote his next bout? De La Hoyas mob??? He is very pally with MAB!

numpty wrote:What belt is he going to have the mandotary for? WBA - M'baye that means he has to work with Warren again, can't see that happening. The IBF is against that Ben Rabbah chap, hardly what his fans over here or the yanks over there want to watch!! I think he is saying Gatti as he thinks it will be an easy fight and one that the yanks would pay alot of money for. I personally see it as a bit of a joke! If he waits 6 months, that is plenty of rest and plenty of time to organise a big fight. If he wants to be the best, there should be no backward steps from now.

I wonder who will promote his next bout? De La Hoyas mob??? He is very pally with MAB!

It seemed to me that he was dismissing the Gatti fight in favour of an "easier" opponent. It wasn't Hatton playing up the Gatti fight, it was Sky. If Ricky fails to fight one of Mayweather, Cotto or Witter next year, it will just be a wasted year in his prime.

numpty wrote:What belt is he going to have the mandotary for? WBA - M'baye that means he has to work with Warren again, can't see that happening.

He doesnt have to work with Warren, he just has to make sure his team (whoever that is at the time) win purse bids....

So he is in a no lose situation....

If Warren wants to win the bid he will have to dig DEEP into his pockets!!

If Warren doesnt win then no problem!!!

Hatton-M'Baye probably won't happen as Hatton will now be WBA Super Champ so that means the emergence of the stupid WBA 'regular' champ which will probably be contested between M'Baye and the next available contender.

johnswan1 wrote:

numpty wrote:What belt is he going to have the mandotary for? WBA - M'baye that means he has to work with Warren again, can't see that happening. The IBF is against that Ben Rabbah chap, hardly what his fans over here or the yanks over there want to watch!! I think he is saying Gatti as he thinks it will be an easy fight and one that the yanks would pay alot of money for. I personally see it as a bit of a joke! If he waits 6 months, that is plenty of rest and plenty of time to organise a big fight. If he wants to be the best, there should be no backward steps from now.

I wonder who will promote his next bout? De La Hoyas mob??? He is very pally with MAB!

It seemed to me that he was dismissing the Gatti fight in favour of an "easier" opponent. It wasn't Hatton playing up the Gatti fight, it was Sky. If Ricky fails to fight one of Mayweather, Cotto or Witter next year, it will just be a wasted year in his prime.

True John, I wonder wher Sky got this Gatti link from? The last Gatti interview I saw he said he was finshing his career at 147 and his last career goal would be to win a title at 147!

numpty wrote:

johnswan1 wrote:

numpty wrote:What belt is he going to have the mandotary for? WBA - M'baye that means he has to work with Warren again, can't see that happening. The IBF is against that Ben Rabbah chap, hardly what his fans over here or the yanks over there want to watch!! I think he is saying Gatti as he thinks it will be an easy fight and one that the yanks would pay alot of money for. I personally see it as a bit of a joke! If he waits 6 months, that is plenty of rest and plenty of time to organise a big fight. If he wants to be the best, there should be no backward steps from now.

I wonder who will promote his next bout? De La Hoyas mob??? He is very pally with MAB!

It seemed to me that he was dismissing the Gatti fight in favour of an "easier" opponent. It wasn't Hatton playing up the Gatti fight, it was Sky. If Ricky fails to fight one of Mayweather, Cotto or Witter next year, it will just be a wasted year in his prime.

True John, I wonder wher Sky got this Gatti link from? The last Gatti interview I saw he said he was finshing his career at 147 and his last career goal would be to win a title at 147!

Money talks... Gatti will get down to 140 if the money is right... and lets face it, he isnt a 147 fighter

According to someone on ESB Hatton will be stripped of his WBA if he doesn't fight Harris next - harris had a rematch clause that was stepped aside on the condition he was a madatory next opponent. Not sure about how true this is (Mbayes no1 on WBA) and if the WBA would strip a cash cow in Hatton. To be honest I'd be happy if this is the case because Harris-Hatton is only beaten by Mayweather/Cotto/Witter as a quality opponent.

Harris is now the forgotten man of the division. I would rather see that fight than a Gatti fight. He ducked Hatton before though, I wonder if he has more minerals this time! I hope Hatton takes this fight now, although I cant see the Americans going for it! I can see that one happening over here....

Phenomenal-Nutrition wrote:According to someone on ESB Hatton will be stripped of his WBA if he doesn't fight Harris next - harris had a rematch clause that was stepped aside on the condition he was a madatory next opponent. Not sure about how true this is (Mbayes no1 on WBA) and if the WBA would strip a cash cow in Hatton. To be honest I'd be happy if this is the case because Harris-Hatton is only beaten by Mayweather/Cotto/Witter as a quality opponent.

Hatton doesn't need the WBA belt. I feel he would rather give it up than face Harris. The general "non in-the-know"public would expect him to beat Harris easily if they met, just because Maussa beat him. That would also lead to less PPV buys & a big risk for Ricky vs comparatively little reward. Nobody will want to fight Harris.

Harris has zero profile, and questionable committment to the sport. Apparently he is a nightmare for promoters and was at war with his promotional team constantly (was it main events i forget now), before moving over to be managed by Steward.

It's a terrible fight in terms of risk reward ratio, no big money on the table, no real kudos for Hatton if he wins, and against a guy who has enough strength and talent to give him a very dangerous night's work.

When you put it like that James I do not know a great deal about Harris outside of the ring, if the situation is as bad as you say, and given WBA's track record, Hatton might not have the WBA belt for very long. Is there a chance that Hatton might become a 'WBA Super Champion' and Harris/M'Baye will fight for the WBA world championship? I have never really understood that side of the WBA...

numpty wrote:When you put it like that James I do not know a great deal about Harris outside of the ring, if the situation is as bad as you say, and given WBA's track record, Hatton might not have the WBA belt for very long. Is there a chance that Hatton might become a 'WBA Super Champion' and Harris/M'Baye will fight for the WBA world championship? I have never really understood that side of the WBA...

The WBA award Super Champ status to unified champions, as Hatton has the IBF belt he'll become a WBA Super Champ now and M'Baye will probably fight for the 'normal' WBA title.

Am I wrong, but wont it be Ray Hatton having to defend the WBA strap?

split_decision wrote:Am I wrong, but wont it be Ray Hatton having to defend the WBA strap?

split_decision wrote:Am I wrong, but wont it be Ray Hatton having to defend the WBA strap?

Good one!

He's bound to duck Junior too, Ray that is.

nickd wrote:

split_decision wrote:Am I wrong, but wont it be Ray Hatton having to defend the WBA strap?

Doesn't that also mean he will only have to defend his title once every 18 months...He can engage in non-title affairs.

Two very dangerous underexposed mandatories he has.

I wouldn't mind him in against Lazcano pretty soon. He has a pretty big reputation. Alot of folk believe he lost as opposed to Castillo win their fight - and he didn't look all that great (but won) against a worn Burton.

I wouldn't mind him in against Lazcano pretty soon. He has a pretty big reputation. Alot of folk believe he lost as opposed to Castillo win their fight

I've heard that from several people, Stu, about Lazcano "losing" to Castillo; while I can see their train of thought, though, I thought Lazcano got pretty much raped by the end of that fight.

What was your personal take on Lazcano-Castillo, mate? Looking back I just can't see anything from that night that'd make him an attractive challenge to Hatton...

I have never been particularly impressed by Lazcano, i thought Castillo won handily, Lazcano also struggles against movers which Hatton isn't of course but i remember Lazcano fighting Steve Forbes and everytime Forbes took the centre of the ring and boxed and moved Lazcano had fits, only when Forbes ageing legs meant he had to retreat to the ropes did Lazcano have his success. No wonder Lazcano turned down Mayweather earlier in his career, waiting for a better offer my arse! Lazcano would have been controlled and beaten all night.

So anyway i digress, now Hatton has the WBA Super belt doedn't he have to fight the regular WBA champion? I am not sure how it works, isn't that why Marquez is having to fight Chris John at Feather or is it something different. Alphabelts confuse me, Jomothepure where are you to help us out

If this stuff Hatton is saying about wanting a fight in the Guardan and at the top of the bill in vagas is true then he may have 3 fights in the states.

One against Gatti as a supporting bout to a big card (possibly ODLH's come back) then the Cotto and Mayweather fights. If he could do well against Gatti who is over rated in the USA then that would generate enough to sell out the other two in the states.

Nels wrote:

I wouldn't mind him in against Lazcano pretty soon. He has a pretty big reputation. Alot of folk believe he lost as opposed to Castillo win their fight

I've heard that from several people, Stu, about Lazcano "losing" to Castillo; while I can see their train of thought, though, I thought Lazcano got pretty much raped by the end of that fight.

What was your personal take on Lazcano-Castillo, mate? Looking back I just can't see anything from that night that'd make him an attractive challenge to Hatton...

It was a fight, IMO that Lascano could have won. Nothing dodgy with the decision - just he froze a little. It was a closish fight and am surprised he has been a little bit forgotton about considering what Castillo has done since (vs Casamayor and Corrales).

It was a case of Laszcano not doing enough to "rip the title away". Alot of the rounds were tough to score, but Castillo appeared the hungrier.

He did struggle with Stevie Johnson aswell, but got to him in the end. He is a strong fighter and is quite similar to Castillo in many ways. Jose Luis struggles with movers aswell, he didn't deserve the nod in the rematch with Johnson and struggled in the early rounds with Casamayor.

Lazcano is probably not a quick as Castillo (footed or handspeed) but normally has a good workrate and I would say hits harder. Although it would be interesting to see if Stevie Johnston's chin has gone (he is making a comeback). Seemed like every time Laszcano hit him clean, Johnston was going.

stujones wrote:

Nels wrote:

I wouldn't mind him in against Lazcano pretty soon. He has a pretty big reputation. Alot of folk believe he lost as opposed to Castillo win their fight

I've heard that from several people, Stu, about Lazcano "losing" to Castillo; while I can see their train of thought, though, I thought Lazcano got pretty much raped by the end of that fight.

What was your personal take on Lazcano-Castillo, mate? Looking back I just can't see anything from that night that'd make him an attractive challenge to Hatton...

It was a fight, IMO that Lascano could have won. Nothing dodgy with the decision - just he froze a little. It was a closish fight and am surprised he has been a little bit forgotton about considering what Castillo has done since (vs Casamayor and Corrales).

It was a case of Laszcano not doing enough to "rip the title away". Alot of the rounds were tough to score, but Castillo appeared the hungrier.

He did struggle with Stevie Johnson aswell, but got to him in the end. He is a strong fighter and is quite similar to Castillo in many ways. Jose Luis struggles with movers aswell, he didn't deserve the nod in the rematch with Johnson and struggled in the early rounds with Casamayor.

Lazcano is probably not a quick as Castillo (footed or handspeed) but normally has a good workrate and I would say hits harder. Although it would be interesting to see if Stevie Johnston's chin has gone (he is making a comeback). Seemed like every time Laszcano hit him clean, Johnston was going.

I didn't see the Lazcano-Castillo. But if thats another fighter Castillos struggled at surely hes been vastly overated (especially by people who think he can beat Hatton), he clearly got outpointed by Cassamayor, ko'd by Corrales, and people are expecting him to dominate/beat Hatton. I think he'll get stopped latish by Hatton after losing most rounds - although he'll push Hatton closer than anyone other than Zoo to date.