I think it's a good move for Macklin. Against Moore, for me, Matt shipped too much punishment, so hopefully Floyd sr will imprve his defense, movement, etc.By Mark Vester
Matthew Macklin (20-2, 16KOs) has quit Ricky Hatton's Manchester stable, dropped trainer Billy Graham, and will now be trained by Floyd Mayweather Sr. in his Las Vegas gym. Macklin was in Hatton's corner when the fighter was knocked out by Floyd Mayweather Jr. on Dec. 8 in Las Vegas.
Macklin told Birmingham Mail that his career was in need of a new direction. He says Graham taught him a lot, but he felt like he was always in the shadow of Hatton.
"I watched and learned so much from the Mayweather camp and felt that it would be through them that my career would develop. I felt my career needed a new direction. I learned so much from Billy Graham but I felt in a way that I was operating in the shadow of Ricky Hatton. There was nothing wrong in that at the start because it was all part of the learning curve. But I felt that I wanted more than physical aggression," Macklin said.
"I am a boxer and that side of my skills has not moved on as I would have liked. Mayweather's boxing ability as well as his punching strength is something every boxer should dream of. I talked the situation over with my manager Brian Peters and we agreed that this is the way forward. To be involved in the best gym in the world has got to be the right place to be. Being close to Ricky Hatton and Billy Graham has been fantastic. I have learned so much from both of them but I now feel that the time is right for me to move on."
Macklin has a return date on February 2, fighting on the same card as unbeaten middleweight prospect Andy Lee. After the February bout, Macklin will head to the states to join Mayweather Sr. as they prepare for a British title shot.
"I am fighting in Limerick on February 2 against Frenchman Christof Karagoz and I will be training at the John Costello gym in Birmingham. After that I will be off to the States. There I will be preparing for a shot at Wayne Elcock and the British middleweight crown and getting my name up there for a European title bid," Macklin said.
"I would love to become to Birmingham what Ricky Hatton has become to Manchester. This is a big year for me. I have to do the business because I am no longer a 'potential'."
Macklin has potential. I hope he learns a lot from Floyd sr & that the move goes well for Macklin.
