Benn: Hatton an improved fighter
Posted: 05 Aug 2007, 10:26
NIGEL Benn has stated that Manchester Hitman Ricky Hatton is an improved fighter going into the biggest fight of his life.
The Ilford-born former WBO middleweight and WBC super-middleweight champ captured the imagination of the London public like no other during his 22-fight knock-out streak, and for his two fights with arch rival Chris Eubank and the clash with the highly feared American Gerald McClellan.
The chimes of Big Ben, followed by a great tear-up, were customary every time out. The 'Dark Destroyer' feels Hyde's Hatton has restored some of the Nineties buzz to British boxing and that a win against 'Pretty Boy' Floyd Mayweather would be 'the ultimate' for British boxing.
He also feels Hatton has improved in recent years, despite critics writing him off between the Kostya Tszyu and Luis Castillo fights.
"He looked sensational in his last two fights, better than he did against Ben Tackie in Manchester," said the 43-year-old warrior. "The fight against the gangly guy (Carlos Maussa) showed what an improved technician he was, (by) taking his time and picking his shots, like me against Henry Wharton."
Benn feels Hatton won't fight a 'crazy' fight against Mayweather because Mayweather is simply too fast, too fluid and too good. He doesn't see Mayweather as a 'scarey' fight like Tszyu.
"Doug DeWitt, Iran Barkley and Eubank the second time all put the fear of God up me. I knew I had to get off first or I could die!
"Gerald McClellan scared the living daylights out of me," said Benn. "He really did.
"But I don't see Mayweather as a scarey fight like that or like Tszyu, there'll be pressure (from Hatton) but steady pressure, and I reckon more head movement, slipping leads, then maybe turning up the volume after six rounds.
"We'll have to wait and see."
After Mayweather?
"Win or lose against Mayweather, I'd love to see Ricky fight Miguel Cotto in Manchester or New York. That would be a war!
"Cotto's chin is dentable. I reckon Hatton can take him out."
Benn has no doubt that a win against the 'Pretty Boy' would propel Hatton into the legendary realms.
"When I fought McClellan, he was universally known as the world's hardest pound-for-pound puncher.
"But Mayweather is universally known as the world's best pound-for-pound boxer, so if Ricky could 'do' him it would be literally end of the rainbow stuff for a British fighter and for British boxing."
The Ilford-born former WBO middleweight and WBC super-middleweight champ captured the imagination of the London public like no other during his 22-fight knock-out streak, and for his two fights with arch rival Chris Eubank and the clash with the highly feared American Gerald McClellan.
The chimes of Big Ben, followed by a great tear-up, were customary every time out. The 'Dark Destroyer' feels Hyde's Hatton has restored some of the Nineties buzz to British boxing and that a win against 'Pretty Boy' Floyd Mayweather would be 'the ultimate' for British boxing.
He also feels Hatton has improved in recent years, despite critics writing him off between the Kostya Tszyu and Luis Castillo fights.
"He looked sensational in his last two fights, better than he did against Ben Tackie in Manchester," said the 43-year-old warrior. "The fight against the gangly guy (Carlos Maussa) showed what an improved technician he was, (by) taking his time and picking his shots, like me against Henry Wharton."
Benn feels Hatton won't fight a 'crazy' fight against Mayweather because Mayweather is simply too fast, too fluid and too good. He doesn't see Mayweather as a 'scarey' fight like Tszyu.
"Doug DeWitt, Iran Barkley and Eubank the second time all put the fear of God up me. I knew I had to get off first or I could die!
"Gerald McClellan scared the living daylights out of me," said Benn. "He really did.
"But I don't see Mayweather as a scarey fight like that or like Tszyu, there'll be pressure (from Hatton) but steady pressure, and I reckon more head movement, slipping leads, then maybe turning up the volume after six rounds.
"We'll have to wait and see."
After Mayweather?
"Win or lose against Mayweather, I'd love to see Ricky fight Miguel Cotto in Manchester or New York. That would be a war!
"Cotto's chin is dentable. I reckon Hatton can take him out."
Benn has no doubt that a win against the 'Pretty Boy' would propel Hatton into the legendary realms.
"When I fought McClellan, he was universally known as the world's hardest pound-for-pound puncher.
"But Mayweather is universally known as the world's best pound-for-pound boxer, so if Ricky could 'do' him it would be literally end of the rainbow stuff for a British fighter and for British boxing."
