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Hatton edges Collazo

Unbeaten former junior welterweight Ricky Hatton (41-0, 30 KOs) stepped up to welterweight and won the WBA title, dethroning Luis Collazo (26-2, 12 KOs) by unanimious decision Saturday night at the TD Banknorth Garden in Boston, Mass. Although Hatton dropped Collazo in the first ten seconds of the bout, the matchup was a sytlistic nightmare for "The Hitman" and many rounds could have gone either way. Hatton tried to crowd Collazo early on, ripping savage hooks to the body. The southpaw Collazo, however, stood his ground landing sharp punches himself. Collazo was cut on the forehead by an unintentional headbutt in round three, but champion slowly managed to get Hatton's respect and he began to outbox the now less aggressive challenger. Hatton amped up his aggression in the seventh, taking away Collazo's jab with intense pressure. Hatton's left eye was almost closed entering the tenth round, and Colozzo was able to keep the fight at his distance in that round. Round eleven was fought at close quarters with Hatton on the attack. Entering the last round it could have been anyone's fight and both fighter's landed big shots. Collazo landed a series of shots that sent Hatton reeling. Hatton later came back with a strong left hook. In the end, the scores were 115-112, 115-112, 114-113.


At the end i thought Collazo took it but as i didn't score it so I can't be sure yet. Might have a go tomorrow. That was a nightmare fight for Hatton and I think he should not go anywhere near Floyd Mayweather.

Hatton's aggresion got him through that but it showed he is there to be out boxed by the elite - tough fight for Ricky: he should jump on a Cotto fight whilst it is hot - another 'cutie' would be bad business..

Its all about match making at this stage; Gatti or Cotto would make him look great Margarito or Floyd wouldn't.

I think if Collazo had power, he would of KOed Hatton.

Cannibal wrote:I think if Collazo had power, he would of KOed Hatton.

To me it did seem like collazo does have power. Why do people insist he is some sort of weakling, he is a strong welter imo. Any way thats all very well, but if ricky had three arms he would have ko'd luis.

He isn't a concussive puncher. Of all his stoppages, not one of them is a straight KO, they are all TKO's. With the amount of times he caught Hatton flush, a more heavy handed fighter would of made him suffer.

Neri1983 wrote:At the end i thought Collazo took it but as i didn't score it so I can't be sure yet. Might have a go tomorrow. That was a nightmare fight for Hatton and I think he should not go anywhere near Floyd Mayweather.

i agree...best advice for ricky---avoid floyd!! and oscar delahoya as well, who would destroy hatton in 7-8 rounds or less!!