Hatton/Castillo.....how i think it'll go
Posted: 21 Jun 2007, 09:43
Here's how i see it playing out and id like to hear some other opinions on what we mght see.
I think first off id like to say that im more concerned as a Hatton fan about this fight than i was for any of Ricky's fights post Tszyu. I consider Castillo a huge threat and don't think for a second he's past it. I think his lacklustre display against Ngoujo was down to a lack of motivation in fighting a 15 fight opponent. I think at 140 and for this fight he will be at or around his very best. People have been far too quick to write the guy off based on one poor display....but that is par for the course on this board where some people jump on and off bandwagons more often than they take a piss. One lacklustre display and Castillo must be shot whilst Malignaggi is the best thing since sliced bread according to some based on his win over Ndou.
So im expecting a fearsome Castillo in this fight who will be looking to make a huge statement. He loses and people will only say it was cos he was shot so he has everything to gain here. The pressure is on Ricky but i think he can handle it, and indeed thrive on it. Hatton looks to be in the best shape of his life from the pics we've seen. I've never seen him look so cut and lean, even for Tszyu.
I think we are barring something crazy happening, guaranteed a tremendous action fight where these two will meet head on and go at it. Both seeking to push the other on the backfoot. It'll be like two stags locking horns! Castillo will be looking to land his body shots and slip in hard hooks upstairs whilst bringing consistent increasing pressure to bear. Hatton will be looking to impose his strengthand speed on Castillo and grind the Mexican down with his own strength sapping bodywork. We know Castillo brings accuracy and patience to the fight, whilst Hatton brings greater variety and faster hand and footwork. Both men will want to put the other guy on the back foot!
I expect early on to see alot of physical battling as both seek to gain an advantage and be the one coming forward. Castillo will try to make each punch count whilst Hatton will be busier. I think we'll see Ricky using boxing smarts and llots of angles in this fight, stepping off to the side before and after punching to gain leverage and make himself a difficult target for Castillo. It'll be physical and tough, but it'll be very technical stuff from both.
As the rounds wear on i think the speed and workrate of Hatton will allow him to pull away from Castillo who won't be able to match Hatton's output but he'll still be very dangerous with his punch placement. If Castillo is able to get effective work done early in the fight then it could turn into a struggle for Hatton but if Ricky is able to build a head of steam up he could buzzsaw Jose and maybe get him out of there later in the fight. Ricky will want perpetual motion to keep Castillo occupied whilst doing damage himself and overall i think his speed advantage will be a deciding factor.
They'll go at it hammer and tongs, but i think Ricky will do more hammering and will steadily gain the acendency. He might have to settle for points cos Castillo is literally like a lump of metal, but i have a feeling that maybe the fight will be stopped as Hatton's speed and workrate start to overwhelm Castillo late. I think both will do themselves justice but i think Hatton really returns to form for this one.
I think first off id like to say that im more concerned as a Hatton fan about this fight than i was for any of Ricky's fights post Tszyu. I consider Castillo a huge threat and don't think for a second he's past it. I think his lacklustre display against Ngoujo was down to a lack of motivation in fighting a 15 fight opponent. I think at 140 and for this fight he will be at or around his very best. People have been far too quick to write the guy off based on one poor display....but that is par for the course on this board where some people jump on and off bandwagons more often than they take a piss. One lacklustre display and Castillo must be shot whilst Malignaggi is the best thing since sliced bread according to some based on his win over Ndou.
So im expecting a fearsome Castillo in this fight who will be looking to make a huge statement. He loses and people will only say it was cos he was shot so he has everything to gain here. The pressure is on Ricky but i think he can handle it, and indeed thrive on it. Hatton looks to be in the best shape of his life from the pics we've seen. I've never seen him look so cut and lean, even for Tszyu.
I think we are barring something crazy happening, guaranteed a tremendous action fight where these two will meet head on and go at it. Both seeking to push the other on the backfoot. It'll be like two stags locking horns! Castillo will be looking to land his body shots and slip in hard hooks upstairs whilst bringing consistent increasing pressure to bear. Hatton will be looking to impose his strengthand speed on Castillo and grind the Mexican down with his own strength sapping bodywork. We know Castillo brings accuracy and patience to the fight, whilst Hatton brings greater variety and faster hand and footwork. Both men will want to put the other guy on the back foot!
I expect early on to see alot of physical battling as both seek to gain an advantage and be the one coming forward. Castillo will try to make each punch count whilst Hatton will be busier. I think we'll see Ricky using boxing smarts and llots of angles in this fight, stepping off to the side before and after punching to gain leverage and make himself a difficult target for Castillo. It'll be physical and tough, but it'll be very technical stuff from both.
As the rounds wear on i think the speed and workrate of Hatton will allow him to pull away from Castillo who won't be able to match Hatton's output but he'll still be very dangerous with his punch placement. If Castillo is able to get effective work done early in the fight then it could turn into a struggle for Hatton but if Ricky is able to build a head of steam up he could buzzsaw Jose and maybe get him out of there later in the fight. Ricky will want perpetual motion to keep Castillo occupied whilst doing damage himself and overall i think his speed advantage will be a deciding factor.
They'll go at it hammer and tongs, but i think Ricky will do more hammering and will steadily gain the acendency. He might have to settle for points cos Castillo is literally like a lump of metal, but i have a feeling that maybe the fight will be stopped as Hatton's speed and workrate start to overwhelm Castillo late. I think both will do themselves justice but i think Hatton really returns to form for this one.