BoxRec

The WBA have not received any request from Don King to sanction the Hatton/Collazo contest for the Welterweight Championship and will not sanction it anyway. Court proceedings do not allow them to sanction any match involving Ricky Hatton (He has now lost his 'super' status since vacating his IBF belt and now has to adhere to regular champion conditions) until the Judge decides on the M'Baye case. Furthermore, Don King won a purse offer for Collazo to make his mandatory defence against Urkal so he cannot have another WBA match involving Collazo until he has satisfied the purse offer. Urkal is not playing ball either and is insisting he gets his mandatory next and is threatening to sue, through his Promoters Sauerland events, everyone involved in Hatton V Collazo Pellullo, Fight Academy, Don King, the WBA and HBO. Christian Meyer of Sauerland said to day he has not and will not agree to Hatton V Collazo at any price and is insisting the WBA uphold their rules and the terms of the purse offer. King is using a bullshit excuse to do with Urkal US visa which is a smokescreen and Sauerland have shown the visa to the WBA as prove he is able to fulfill the purse offer.

All in all and once again, Steptoe and Son ahve made a rickett and now look unable to deliver Ricky a WBA Welterweight Championship which could now leave him fighting a non-title fight whilst losing his WBA 140lb belt in the process.

The WBA must be sick of hearing Hatton's name as they are now looking at two lawsuits due to his antics and the costs and damages will far outweigh any sanction fees Hatton can provide.

Perhapsd Ricky will put his WBU belt, which he has paid to retain, on the line agsint Collazo, either that or his fight will be a non-title affair.

Hardly the most astute team are they?

Still think he's gonna get three-times his Tszyu purse for a 12 round non-title fight? Didn't you wonder why King didn't ask for options on Hatton?

Is anyone going to stay up until 2am to pay for and watch a meaningless fight?

Why has Hatton paid £5k to the WBU to keep their belt whilst vacating the IBF title and risking the WBA by taking this fight.

What a mess, way to go Ricky!

Oh dear, this is all a bit of a mess if that's true. What's the point of fighting at Welterweight in a non-title bout?

jamesmcdonnell wrote:Oh dear, this is all a bit of a mess if that's true. What's the point of fighting at Welterweight in a non-title bout?

And a relatively tricky, even dangerous bout at that.

The waters of international boxing negotiation are deep and murky. We will know the true outcome nearer to fight time.

HAving said tha, I hope this fight gets the WBA title tag otherwise it all seems rather pointless.

jamesmcdonnell wrote:Oh dear, this is all a bit of a mess if that's true. What's the point of fighting at Welterweight in a non-title bout?

I hardly ever agree with BoxingChat, but all sniping aside, I think FA have fucked it up completely. Too many cooks. Pellullo, who I understand I getting a free ride, Waterman and Hobson. (and Jim Eveans too, remember) are all involved. Its way too messy.

At least with Warren, you had one man in charge, and that man was very experienced. He got the job done, and everyone made money.

I read a fascinating book on Warren at the weekend.

I actually like him.

Which book?

Yes, I've been saying all along that this could all be a big mistake. I was very surprised (as were a lot of American observers) that Pellulo was their chosen 'man in the states.'

What exactly does Evans do? I've never been clear on that, is he a financier?

This all looks to be turning into a bit of a farce, if what we are being told here is true, then I wonder how long before Hatton bolts?

KO Artist wrote:

jamesmcdonnell wrote:Oh dear, this is all a bit of a mess if that's true. What's the point of fighting at Welterweight in a non-title bout?

I hardly ever agree with BoxingChat, but all sniping aside, I think FA have fucked it up completely. Too many cooks. Pellullo, who I understand I getting a free ride, Waterman and Hobson. (and Jim Eveans too, remember) are all involved. Its way too messy.

At least with Warren, you had one man in charge, and that man was very experienced. He got the job done, and everyone made money.

I read a fascinating book on Warren at the weekend.

I actually like him.

What book was that? Yes you are all right, what is the point of a fight that, even if you win will cost you your only title and bargaining tool. In addition it will only guide you into a fight in Germany for a vacant title against Urkal at best which is hardly a big US drawcard. Hatton hasn't got many fights left in him so he is taking a long route to his legacy.

The Hattons are going to become a laughing stock and without a title will be left out in the cold. Theyt have hardly endeared themselves in the US and most the big players don't want to know, hence Art Pellullo getting the nod. It appears DK has played a blinder and has left it until the 11th hour when a replacement of any note will be impossible. FA simply do not have the nouse to play in the big league and are seem too worried about their own PR and making out they are big time whilst ultimately screwing up Hattons career.

Ultimately, as I have been saying for ages, the greed of the Hattons will be their downfall and the fact that they have surrounded themselves with bigger idiots will only speed up the process.

What did Hobson boast to FW the other day " I went to dinner with King the other day and he didn't take me to the cleaners"

Is he sure about that?

This is Hatton's dream move then: fighting above his weight in front of a near-empty Boston Garden against a stinking southpaw in a non-title fight.
Conteh all over again...

Bennie, apart from your sexual desires, I have to agree with you on that.

Yep, all turned out nice again as they say?

this is a great shame, we've gone from talk of Hatton fighting at MSG or MGM Grand against Gatti/Mayweather etc, to Collazo in a non title in Boston, I know this is his US debut, but this is hardly going to set pulses racing as a non title bout.

Is this really going to still be PPV as a non title affair? I hope so for the sake of those involved, otherwise there's going to be some wailing and gnashing of teeth over the amount being paid to the fighters.

jamesmcdonnell wrote:Which book?

Yes, I've been saying all along that this could all be a big mistake. I was very surprised (as were a lot of American observers) that Pellulo was their chosen 'man in the states.'

What exactly does Evans do? I've never been clear on that, is he a financier?

This all looks to be turning into a bit of a farce, if what we are being told here is true, then I wonder how long before Hatton bolts?

Jim Evans is reluctant to get involved with the HAtton situation due to the factc he has an ounce of decency and poseesses integrity. He personally thinks what the Hattons have done to FW is despicable. In fact, Waterman and Hobson are acting as if Jim does'nt exist and he is not happy about it either.

Jim Evans is a good man and will survive in Boxing without these two arseholes. As for financier, Waterman is skint, owes everyone. Hobson is the one with the cash which his father gave him.

boxingchat wrote:

jamesmcdonnell wrote:Which book?

Yes, I've been saying all along that this could all be a big mistake. I was very surprised (as were a lot of American observers) that Pellulo was their chosen 'man in the states.'

What exactly does Evans do? I've never been clear on that, is he a financier?

This all looks to be turning into a bit of a farce, if what we are being told here is true, then I wonder how long before Hatton bolts?

Just a thought James, where will he bolt to? He whored himself to Hearn, Hennessy, Maloney, King, Arum, Kushner and Main Events. He burned his bridges there and went to Mr unpopulat Art Pellullo. ITV, Showtime and ESPN are pissed with him too due to his disloyalty so his options are limited at his terms anyway.

You can only whore yourself so much but sooner or later even the most desparate of men turn their noses up at sloppy seconds and Ricky and Ray are starting to smell tuna like.

Even Warren would fornicate them off in my opinion.

boxingchat wrote:

KO Artist wrote:

jamesmcdonnell wrote:Oh dear, this is all a bit of a mess if that's true. What's the point of fighting at Welterweight in a non-title bout?

I hardly ever agree with BoxingChat, but all sniping aside, I think FA have fucked it up completely. Too many cooks. Pellullo, who I understand I getting a free ride, Waterman and Hobson. (and Jim Eveans too, remember) are all involved. Its way too messy.

At least with Warren, you had one man in charge, and that man was very experienced. He got the job done, and everyone made money.

I read a fascinating book on Warren at the weekend.

I actually like him.

What book was that? Yes you are all right, what is the point of a fight that, even if you win will cost you your only title and bargaining tool. In addition it will only guide you into a fight in Germany for a vacant title against Urkal at best which is hardly a big US drawcard. Hatton hasn't got many fights left in him so he is taking a long route to his legacy.

The Hattons are going to become a laughing stock and without a title will be left out in the cold. Theyt have hardly endeared themselves in the US and most the big players don't want to know, hence Art Pellullo getting the nod. It appears DK has played a blinder and has left it until the 11th hour when a replacement of any note will be impossible. FA simply do not have the nouse to play in the big league and are seem too worried about their own PR and making out they are big time whilst ultimately screwing up Hattons career.

Ultimately, as I have been saying for ages, the greed of the Hattons will be their downfall and the fact that they have surrounded themselves with bigger idiots will only speed up the process.

What did Hobson boast to FW the other day " I went to dinner with King the other day and he didn't take me to the cleaners"

Is he sure about that?

The book was one that Frank wouldnt approve of, Lords of The Ring - Warren Marsh and the Business of Boxing, from 1991.

Frank got it banned, I think.

Reading it I have a lot of admiration for Warren, from a similar background to myself, central London council estate, worked hard etc.. He too has some relatives who operated outside the law, but Frank has made it the straight way. All credit to him

Warren seems a very resolute bloke, although it appears he is quite shy.

In retrospect, Hatton should have stayed with Warren. He probably would have earned just as much in the end.

boxingchat wrote:

jamesmcdonnell wrote:Which book?

Yes, I've been saying all along that this could all be a big mistake. I was very surprised (as were a lot of American observers) that Pellulo was their chosen 'man in the states.'

What exactly does Evans do? I've never been clear on that, is he a financier?

This all looks to be turning into a bit of a farce, if what we are being told here is true, then I wonder how long before Hatton bolts?

Jim Evans is reluctant to get involved with the HAtton situation due to the factc he has an ounce of decency and poseesses integrity. He personally thinks what the Hattons have done to FW is despicable. In fact, Waterman and Hobson are acting as if Jim does'nt exist and he is not happy about it either.

Jim Evans is a good man and will survive in Boxing without these two arseholes. As for financier, Waterman is skint, owes everyone. Hobson is the one with the cash which his father gave him.

Jims a nice bloke. Old school. Good trainer too. I know he thinks Warren is the best in the business.

I think Waterman and Hobson are decent enough too. Seems they have let Pellullo steal the limelight for sod all investment.

boxingchat wrote:

boxingchat wrote:

jamesmcdonnell wrote:Which book?

Yes, I've been saying all along that this could all be a big mistake. I was very surprised (as were a lot of American observers) that Pellulo was their chosen 'man in the states.'

What exactly does Evans do? I've never been clear on that, is he a financier?

This all looks to be turning into a bit of a farce, if what we are being told here is true, then I wonder how long before Hatton bolts?

Just a thought James, where will he bolt to? He whored himself to Hearn, Hennessy, Maloney, King, Arum, Kushner and Main Events. He burned his bridges there and went to Mr unpopulat Art Pellullo. ITV, Showtime and ESPN are pissed with him too due to his disloyalty so his options are limited at his terms anyway.

You can only whore yourself so much but sooner or later even the most desparate of men turn their noses up at sloppy seconds and Ricky and Ray are starting to smell tuna like.

Even Warren would smeg them off in my opinion.

Are the networks going to give a shit about disloyalty though? All they care about is viewing figures. I know showtime aren't doing long term contracts for fighters, but HBO are, though they seem to have cut back on boxing dates available lately.

I'm sure Hatton is still viewed as marketable, and I don't think it would be a problem for Hatton to find people to back him.

Maybe FA will haul the shit out of the fire at the last minute as Terrence says, but it's not been the most seamless of transitions so far.

bennie wrote:This is Hatton's dream move then: fighting above his weight in front of a near-empty Boston Garden against a stinking southpaw in a non-title fight.
Conteh all over again...

Now THAT was a mess. Conteh left Duff to be managed by his brothers, who couldnt nick car batteries without getting electrocuted.

Hatton should heed what happened to Conteh. That was a sad tale. Couldve been our best ever.

I never shared Hatton's fascination for bill-topping in the States. Ninety-nine times out of a hundred, we get done over there.
Even Buchanan in the end...

Personally I ain't bothered if the Collazo fight is for a belt or not (I'll be buying the PPV either way). As long as Ricky keeps winning his name will still carry plenty of clout and will get him the BIG fights, especially with HBO backing him

I've read that HBO want Ricky to fight Collazo, Gatti then Mayweather, I'd imagine if that's what HBO want that's what they'll get. If Witter beats Chop Chop though then I reckon Hatton-Witter will take place after the Gatti fight

bennie wrote:I never shared Hatton's fascination for bill-topping in the States. Ninety-nine times out of a hundred, we get done over there.
Even Buchanan in the end...

Isn't this the reason he turned down Golden Boy, they offered him cheif support on their May 6 De La Hoya show and he wanted to be top spot.

Seems like the IBF are pushing for a Mayweather - Judah rematch.

The belts at welter have less credibility than at most other divisions.

It'd be very surprising if this one didn't end up with some sort of strap attached to it, and if the WBA missed the opportunity of having a fighter like Hatton as champ instead of passing the title down to the winner of Carlos Quintana and Oktay Urkal...

Well FA have fucked it up, but the belt never really meant anything anyway.

Fairplay to them for getting Hatton 3+ mill in a no title fight. Dont believe Warren ever did that

Let them get over this hurdle, make Hatton a star across the pond and all is well.

Warren never paid him that, but I'm pretty sure he could have done had he been promoting him post Tszyu, rather than pre Tszyu.

The belt DID mean something too, it was a bargaining chip for a unification battle between Hatton and Mayweather next year some time. Without that belt, it will be a lot harder to argue for purse parity with someone like Mayweather who has a god complex already.

more rubbish from this idiot!
Didn't he dispute how much Ricky was being paid and tells us Clinton would not be on Sky?
The case against the WBA was not brought by Ricky, but by that well known French Light Welterweight who was surprisingly signed by FW, perhaps BC can tell us who is paying his American legal fees.
How can Ricky fight for his WBU title, which is at at a different weight?
Perhaps BC can tell us when Ricky paid 5k to Keep his WBU belt.
Ricky has a 3 fight deal with HBO and was wanted by Showtime, as BC will know HBO has the much bigger audiences in the USA.
ESPN are not in ther running at the moment, but Ricky remains on good terms with them.
Why would Ricky give King any options? King has signed an agreement that he will deliver the WBA belt so why should team Hatton worry?
Ricky's money is guaranteed for the next 3 fights, it does not depend on belts.
What have the Hatton's done to FW? They gave him the opportunity but he didn't/couldn't come up with the money, so they signed for someone else. FW then told everyone he had a contract and would stop the fight, and we all know what happened next!!
BC asks who will be watching this fight?....well I am sure he will be with his Boss wondering how they managed to lose Britain's best fighter!!

I would like to hear more official conformation of this news.... I cannot find this on the sites, although I do know it sounded like it was on the cards.

If what BC is true, then its a major blow and a huge cock up. I saw this match up in a pretty similar way to the Maussa match up.... Had Maussa not had the WBA title, would Hatton have requested that fight.... No chance, the fight would have been considered an absolute Joke - although Ricky did perhaps deserve an easy one after the Tszyu war, so I thought, and still think, it was the perfect match for Hatton. It was a match he could easily win, even with the problems outside of the ring he had. I don't believe that was Ricky at 100% and thankfully Maussa was poor enough for Ricky to win a geniune belt on an offish night.

With Collazo its very similar, an easyish (compared to some of the champions and non champions he could have faced) ride into the Welterweight devision with a meaningful belt (and bargining tool)... Drawback is/was Collazo lack of a name.... Even if Hatton wanted another easyish fight (for whatever reason) due you think Collazo would have been high on his list, no chance. Why? Cause he hasn't got the big name appeal. Hatton would have chosen a Shamba Mitchell, Kermit Cintron or Antonio Diaz type of fighter.... Decent name, that would have been similar to Kevin Kelly vs Naseem Hamed (most thought Kelly was too old to cause an upset).

Now, he has lost his IBF Light Welterweight title, his WBA title will probably be following suit too (cause like it or not, Mbaye has waited long enough for his chance - having been a mandatory since 2004). So this is going to be a low key non title fight, and nobody will know where his future lies (at Welter or Light Welter)... and if Warren does get hold of the WBA and IBF Light Welter belts, cannot see Hatton fighting for them for a LONG time.

Its a huge blunder, and Hatton CANNOT be happy about it. Of course the title meant everything.

All this talk of no belt, I've searched numerous sites and haven't found diddy squat on it.