BoxRec

Lets get serious about Hatton's next oponent:

There's almost zero chance of it being Mayweather..... Hatton's camp wont take De La Hoya or Mosley and i'm pretty sure they wont take Cotto either, so i for one hope that not to much space is wasted around here talking about these match-ups.

I feel that next up for Hatton will be Paulie Malignagi at the Garden. Hatton's declared he will only be in big fights from now on in, that means each fight must be against a big name, or at least for one of the three major titles. Malignagi is a known name now and a newly crowned champ at 140 and a certainly a worthy oponent, so it seems the logical way to go!

There's very few other notable names at 140 right now. As for the champs, Hatton wont do the Witter fight, and he also wont do the M'Baye fight, so in my view it really does look like Malignagi will be next up. He's been calling Hatton out since being crowned champ, so it probably wont be to hard to put together.

i might go to NY if that fight happens

if there is a reasonable undercard that is

Well said. Do not waste breath on WELTERWEIGHT because Ricky is a shit hot LIGHT WELTER.

Strike while the iron is hot but be smart and do it on your own terms. Hatton can be a 140-pound standard bearer.

Malignaggi is a solid match. Paulie was entertaining vs Ndou. He wasn't just popping jabs. He was throwing combos of jabs, left hooks, rights and body shots. He's a quicksilver, tricky bastard and I've become a fan (this after not being able to stand him before...).

Juan Diaz, Juan Diaz, and Juan Diaz. This is the fight. Diaz, the WBA & WBO lightweight champ, is unbeaten, he has that true blue American personality (college boy etc) combined with a Mexican machismo fighting style.

Like Hatton, Diaz can be a huge star. It is a guaranteed action fight. Juan isa sawn of slugger with skills, patience, pretty good defense and very fast hands. What a fvcking fight that would be.

sweetscience wrote:i might go to NY if that fight happens

if there is a reasonable undercard that is

that is a real issue. the undercard was hard to watch this time. we need way better.

i'd like to see Ricky with a different stateside promoter. While I'm big on Arum and King right now, neither really have a niche for Ricky. GBP would, and with Barrera carrying his belt in you never know.

matthew hatton as cheif support is fornicating abismal

you need at least two names, or one and a half ( if you no what i mena)

I can see them going for Malignaggi next, though it could be a tricky night's work for Hatton, because Paulie is slick as hell. Potential banana skin fight that one.

Malignaggi and then Cotto would be a couple of terrific fights, the Diaz fight doesn't get me excited, he's another lightweight moving up in weight.

Can Hatton afford to move to 147 for Cotto though, Cotto seems a better, stronger fighter at 147, whereas Hatton lost some of his assets at 147.

jamesmcdonnell wrote:I can see them going for Malignaggi next, though it could be a tricky night's work for Hatton, because Paulie is slick as hell. Potential banana skin fight that one.

Malignaggi and then Cotto would be a couple of terrific fights, the Diaz fight doesn't get me excited, he's another lightweight moving up in weight.

Can Hatton afford to move to 147 for Cotto though, Cotto seems a better, stronger fighter at 147, whereas Hatton lost some of his assets at 147.

Better to fight a lightweigt moving up than maybe get your head taken off at welter. Every man has his limits and Ricky best stay at 140...like Castillo, Juan Diaz is a big lightweight. unlike Castillo, he is in his prime.

Diaz will be a big star and IMO he presents the most exciting style matchup for Hatton. He's only about 22. But then again, Diaz could maybe wait for Pac to move up to lightweight and brutalise a smaller man for big recognition...

Of the serious possibilities I'd quite like Diaz, or even Torres

Malignaggi isn't exciting but then he could easily have the style to embarrass Hatton.

I think Malignaggi can embarrass almost anyone who stands off him. He made N'dou look like a clueless tosser. One thing about Hatton is that he doesn't wait. He closes that gap and gets on you.

I'm not too sure that the US fight fans will particularly want to see Hatton fight a Lightweight moving up. The way he man handled Castillo was a real eye opener. Although, I would love to see Diaz vs Hatton - Diaz is a big talent.

I still wouldn't be at all surprised that a rematch might be Hatton's next fight. If I was a betting man I would say Malignaggi would be next, but the next biggest fight IMO at 140 from a TV executives point of view is Castillo again. They could play the notourously slow starter angle and the fact the fight was brewing along nicely and it DID seem like Castillo was starting to find his feet, to convince people that a rematch holds some value.

Obviously not the match I would like to see. I want to see Hatton shut up Witter's mouth once and for all.

The way Hatton looked last night Witter's winning that one
H.L.C. was a shot fighter and still Hatton looked bad.
Hatton says he's a all action fighter???
Have not seen that in America yet.
Witter would do a job on him!
I know that will not be a popular opinion here
but Witter is the most under rated fighter in the world
He KO's Hatton

I really don't want to see him in with Malignaggi. Hatton struggles with southpaws and, for me, hasn't proven he can take out runners with any great aplomb.

Stick him in with Diaz. He has a great rep after the Freitas demolishion, he shouldn't look too spall against Ricky, and he'll make for a thrilling, ver saleable fight while at the same time presenting Hatton with a winnable opponent.

The only other option is Mayweather. I really think Hatton at his best can cause Mayweather one or two difficulties. He'll have to improve his fitness, though, because Mayweather is, like few other fighters I've seen in recent times, able to work at a high pace for twelve full rounds. Ricky will have to not just match that, but increase it. He should aim to throw about 1200 punches in the fight if he has a chance of winning.

Stick the whole thing at the new Wem-ber-lee and make 'em both rich. Let Mayweather see a pay day like that, tell him that he'd be attempting something Sugar Ray Robinson couldn't do, tell him there's some lovely jewelry shops in London, England, and he'll be there

If he's entertaining the idea of facing Mayweather ,Malignaggi would be great practise for Ricky. Won't be easy though. Diaz would be the way better fight. Diaz is the next wave of aggressive, elite lightweights following Corrales & Castillo.

Agree Carbo, Ricky has never looked good against a mover. I thought he was even looking clueless against Hutchinson til he caught him to the body. If it's not Cotto or Mayweather (and neither look likely) then it has to be Witter/Harris, if they ever get it on.

There are 4 guys who could give Ricky a tough fight at 140. Hatton would be the favourite, but could give some serious questions. In no particular order

1) Ricardo Torres.... Not the most technically gifted, but has a punch that could give anyone problems.

2) Juan Diaz - Very agressive, very skilled, maturing all the time. Might even be able to outwork Ricky.

3) Paulie Malignaggi - Slick, fast and critically very fit and tough. Its the two latter reasoning why I give him more of a chance than Witter or Mbaye.

4) Herman Ngoudgio - Strange choice maybe, but possibly the only relatively skilled Light Welter who might be able to outstrength Ricky in the clinches. Ricky was throwing Castillo around like a rag doll, but then so was Ngoudgio. Castillo was a slightly too cute for Ngoudgio, but is Ricky?

In boxing terms these are the only 4 I might fancy putting some small money on as an underdog. Whilst, I think for his legacy Witter should be his priority at 140.. I really don't give Junior a chance.

sweetscience wrote:i might go to NY if that fight happens

if there is a reasonable undercard that is

Whoever Ricky's next opponent is, I reckon it'll be in the UK, with Manchester & London the most likely locations. Read on teletext today that Ricky would like a bout in the UK.

If it is to be in the UK, then it's quite clear Cotto, Mayweather will not be Ricky's next opponent.

What are the odds of Hatton vs Witter in the autumn? Maybe there's a better chance of the bout happening than we all thought? Power of positive thinking maybe?

stujones wrote:There are 4 guys who could give Ricky a tough fight at 140. Hatton would be the favourite, but could give some serious questions. In no particular order

1) Ricardo Torres.... Not the most technically gifted, but has a punch that could give anyone problems.

2) Juan Diaz - Very agressive, very skilled, maturing all the time. Might even be able to outwork Ricky.

3) Paulie Malignaggi - Slick, fast and critically very fit and tough. Its the two latter reasoning why I give him more of a chance than Witter or Mbaye.

4) Herman Ngoudgio - Strange choice maybe, but possibly the only relatively skilled Light Welter who might be able to outstrength Ricky in the clinches. Ricky was throwing Castillo around like a rag doll, but then so was Ngoudgio. Castillo was a slightly too cute for Ngoudgio, but is Ricky?

In boxing terms these are the only 4 I might fancy putting some small money on as an underdog. Whilst, I think for his legacy Witter should be his priority at 140.. I really don't give Junior a chance.

Torres may well lose his next fight to Kendall Holt. Ngoudjo did an ok job of pushing Castillo back at times but I just think he's raw. I thought he lost to Randall Bailey recently though (in his defense, the ring was rain-soaked maybe making him cover ground poorly vs a rangy foe).

If Ricky signs with GBP then maybe Demetrius Hopkins. Not the most exciting but...interesting.

Of the list I like Malignaggi and Diaz. If Diaz batters Katsidis in the WBO defense probably next year, Juan should have some extra marketability/profile. It'll surely be another HBO B.A.D show with decent exposure.


An interesting wild card might be David Diaz, if he can look good v old Morales for a bit of a dodgy title opportunity.

David Diaz? way too small for a slugger. B-level, not a great choice.

I hear Joel Casamayor - Ring mag lightweight champ - has called out Hatton. What does anyone think of Ricky vs Casamayor, maybe in England in October? That's a fighter who would jump to accept moderate terms. Joel's been frozen out of his own world title.

fried bread wrote:David Diaz? way too small for a slugger. B-level, not a great choice.

I hear Joel Casamayor - Ring mag lightweight champ - has called out Hatton. What does anyone think of Ricky vs Casamayor, maybe in England in October? That's a fighter who would jump to accept moderate terms. Joel's been frozen out of his own world title.

As a fan of Joel, I wouldn't like this fight. He is a small Lightweight who is fading and now also tends to fade at the end.

Think Joel could make Hatton look silly for about 3 rounds, but then it will be a systematic breakdown.

Would be so easy to make, but probably a bit too obvious in the handicapping department.

I hope it isn't Juan Lazcano next. That would be a stale one.

Tricky situation for Ricky. The welters are too big. No A-names in his own weight.

Autobarn wrote:Well said. Do not waste breath on WELTERWEIGHT because Ricky is a shit hot LIGHT WELTER.

Strike while the iron is hot but be smart and do it on your own terms. Hatton can be a 140-pound standard bearer.

Malignaggi is a solid match. Paulie was entertaining vs Ndou. He wasn't just popping jabs. He was throwing combos of jabs, left hooks, rights and body shots. He's a quicksilver, tricky bastard and I've become a fan (this after not being able to stand him before...).

Juan Diaz, Juan Diaz, and Juan Diaz. This is the fight. Diaz, the WBA & WBO lightweight champ, is unbeaten, he has that true blue American personality (college boy etc) combined with a Mexican machismo fighting style.

Like Hatton, Diaz can be a huge star. It is a guaranteed action fight. Juan isa sawn of slugger with skills, patience, pretty good defense and very fast hands. What a fvcking fight that would be.

Diaz is someone I didn't think about. I'm not keen on the Malignaggi fight, as Malignaggi has a s**t style and hasn't beaten anyone. Hatton will get even less credit for beating Malignaggi than he's got for beating Castillo. It's a meaningless fight for Hatton, no better than the Urango or Maussa fight.

Diaz has a decent style though and while Hatton would probably take some stick for fighting Diaz at least it would be a good match up. Diaz is a young pup as well and I can't see him folding like Castillo. That's a good fight if he's not gonna take on one of the bigger names. Shame there has been no mention of it whatsoever.

I've seen on a few websites Manny Pacquiaos name getting thrown around as a possible catch weight or outright 140 fight.

Now I know that Pac has walked around at around 147 on a couple of fight nights, but despite his obvious ability he would get slaughtered by a true 140 pounder like Hatton would he not? Could Pac carry the power up another weight class?

Marquee wise, its good but it is far from a fight that I want to see and would do little for Ricky's reputation. Hopefully it isn't a consideration like is being suggested.

I think Shane Mosley would be his best option.

Shane is a sort of gateway opponent. He is past his best, but still retains enough skill & ability to make it interesting, plus he still has marquee value.

Shane would be a gateway to the biggest names, like FM, if he decides that he isn't retired anymore.

Cannibal wrote:I've seen on a few websites Manny Pacquiaos name getting thrown around as a possible catch weight or outright 140 fight.

Now I know that Pac has walked around at around 147 on a couple of fight nights, but despite his obvious ability he would get slaughtered by a true 140 pounder like Hatton would he not? Could Pac carry the power up another weight class?

Marquee wise, its good but it is far from a fight that I want to see and would do little for Ricky's reputation. Hopefully it isn't a consideration like is being suggested.

Pac is going to have his toughest fight vs Humberto Soto in Oct. I really believe Soto is going to get him. Don't even think Pac would beat the lightweights. Juan Diaz would eat him.

Diaz is someone I didn't think about. I'm not keen on the Malignaggi fight, as Malignaggi has a s**t style and hasn't beaten anyone. Hatton will get even less credit for beating Malignaggi than he's got for beating Castillo. It's a meaningless fight for Hatton, no better than the Urango or Maussa fight.

I think we need to hold back on the "this didn't mean anything" talk and give him a bit more credit for his achievements. Tszyu was #1 light welter and maybe #2 p4p. Maussa, Urango, Collazo were regarded among the top 10 at their weight. As most of us were saying over here (ah, the wisdom of the British scene), Castillo wasn't quite the #2 light welter but it was still a hard to pick fight coming in and anything less than a A+ Hatton may have let the veteran in the fight.

I'd say we'd have to give him credit for beating a Malignaggi because he's world class and despite having no power is fast, skilled and terrific defensively with a shutout of N'dou to prove it.

Witter must be the #2 at 140 right now, so in theory for Hatton to keep his Ring title he should accommodate Witter sometime. But Junior has to make that a reality by beating someone good & looking good.