BoxRec

Source: BritishBoxing.Net

Ricky Hatton: “I did a few days last week so I've already been in (the gym) a couple of times but now the date (of the next fight) is set (for May 24th) I'm back in. Nothing definite is signed yet but now I've got the date I'll get back into the swing of things slowly but surely.”

With the date set there is now the small matter of selecting an opponent:

RH: “(Ricardo) Torres, Kendall Holt who recently had a good win over Ben Tackie, another one is (Juan) Lazcano. These are all ranked light-welterweights looking for a chance so it is a case of getting the date and venue finalised. There is no point announcing an opponent until we've got those details sorted-out. I'm just excited about fighting (again) and don't have a preference about who I fight. I just want it to be signed.

“(Paulie) Malignaggi is a strong possibility as well. He struggled against Ngoudjo but everyone can have a bad night. I had them against Vilches and Pedersen and you would never give me a prayer with Kostya Tszyu after those fights. Paulie can fight. He is one name in the pipeline (further down the line) as well.

“At this point it is just about getting back into it [boxing] whoever I fight. As long as it is a ranked fighter who is quality. In my last 6 fights I've taken a title from Tszyu, taken a title from Maussa, taken a title from Collazo, and taken a title from Urango…then I beat Castillo and fought Floyd so I've been mixing in top class and want to carry on that run and get back into the swing of things.”

Hatton on fighting Floyd

RH: “No regrets. I'm glad I took the fight, absolutely. Not many get a chance to test themselves against the best fighters in the world. I thought I did well at first. After the first 5 or 6 rounds I thought I was in the fight. I lost my composure. Lost my way and Floyd found the right punches. He is every bit as good a fighter as I thought he was.”

RH: “He did feel bigger and you do feel the difference. I realise now that welterweight is not my weight division. No regrets. I thought the tactics were right. I made the cardinal sin of losing my temper and losing my composure. Any youngster being taught boxing gets taught not to do that but I lost my composure a bit with the referee. Things worked for a few rounds but as I got more and more frustrated the fight ebbed away from me.”

RH: “I knew Floyd would be tricky. I didn't expect him to stand toe-to-toe. He is very clever. He uses his arms and elbows to make room for himself, which is fair enough but I seemed to be the only one getting warned for stuff. Fair play if you can do it and get away with it. If I was doing it I'd say “fair play”. But you expect warnings to come on both sides. It never seemed to be that way with the referee as I saw it.”

Hatton on Cortez

RH: “It was just very strange. I have a lot of respect for Joe Cortez. He reffed the Castillo fight and allowed close-quarter work, grappling and holding, and you never even knew he was there. You never saw him – he was that good in the fight. In the Mayweather fight he was in there every few minutes. Everyone is entitled to a bad night. Just a pity that Joe had one that night.

“It messed with my mind. Before the fight I hoped he would allow me to fight my type of fight. From the first 30-seconds he was on me. Slowly but surely it got to me and (it) topped it all off when he took the point away for nothing. (But) if you lose it like a kid when fighting a guy like the Floyd Mayweather the end result is what happened.”

RH: “I thought the tactics were working a little bit. I'd be subtler in my approach (in a rematch). More head movement, more sideways movement, and staying tucked-up on the way in. It worked to a degree for a few rounds but things just fell apart.”

RH: “Fair play to Floyd as well. Before the fight I thought he was a dickhead to say the least but he had a lot of kind words after (the fight).

“He said I was a great fighter. He said he was nervous in the early rounds until he found the gaps. He said my support had been great and he would love to have support like that. He's even kept in touch since and we've sent a few texts. We arranged to meet but never got a chance to but we'll hook-up in Vegas next time I'm there.

“It may be while before I go to Vegas though. I love Vegas but I feel that I was never destined to win that fight. All the judges had me losing by a landslide after 6-rounds. HBO and Sky TV had it different but the judges had me losing by a mile and the referee was on my case. I don't think I was meant to win that fight.”

Despite this Hatton had no regrets about his 3-fight Vegas adventure:

RH: “Without a shadow of a doubt I'd recommend the Vegas experience to British boxers coming-up. I'm sure I‘ll box there again. I just feel a little bit cheated by the experience…but the better man won. I just wanted to come home for a bit (and) then go back and try again in the future.”

Hatton had chased the Mayweather fight for years so to lose it must have been a hard-blow. Questions over his opponents have dogged him since the Tszyu fight and we do not need an exhaustive breakdown of why certain fights were taken at a certain time, the culmination was Mayweather and that fight rendered those quibbles moot. Hatton is now facing a rebuilding process but said he intends to fight the best fighters available to him:

RH: “That is what I've done recently. People used to say I was avoiding this or that guy but I've been in with a few decent guys in my last 6 fights. A few bigger guys and the best fighter in the world. Kostya was ranked #2 pound-for-pound and Floyd was ranked #1 pound-for-pound. I went on a long unbeaten run and took a massive fight and got beat. All I've done in my recent fights is fight world champions…(I've) not just sat back and defended belts I've tried to win them. I think that says a lot about me.”

Hatton Quitting?

RH “Not really no. Well maybe a little bit. You sit back and chill out on a few holidays and see where you go from here. I wouldn't want to go out of my career on my back and having my last fight with people seeing me go out on my back.

“I think I was still improving in my training camps. I've still got a lot left. You find out how good a fighter and a man you are by coming back from adversity. My life was very easy and I was going along well but you find out what kind of a man you are by coming back and overcoming obstacles. Fighters who have lost in the past – like Barrera, Gatti and guys like that – become better after the defeat.”

RH: “I'm well up on my boxing knowledge so I can look at what I did wrong and put it right. Prince Naseem Hamed was one of the greatest fighters we've ever had but after he lost to Barrera he disappeared…that is a shame because he (Hamed) was brilliant. I'd rather remember him doing what he did (over) his whole career rather than the way he bowed out of boxing.”

RH: “Floyd is very clever. He turns his shoulder across and gets his forearm in place and stops you getting the shots in. He turns away a lot and I'd like to have seen him get one warning for doing it because I got warnings galore. I got a point took off because I turned him (and) put him on the ropes (then) threw a shot that missed. I couldn't believe it.”

The dust has now completely settled on December's events. Contrary to ridiculous rumour Hatton has not ditched trainer Billy Graham. The fighter also seems to have retained of his desire, after training he came into the office to show the few people there that his muscle definition was still visible. Hatton claimed that “The Christmas tree (of back muscles) is gone but I'm not that bad. It's me face!”.

If the desire is to prove himself anew Hatton will now do so in front of his British fans:

RH: “I owe it to my British fans to give them a fight for all the support they've given me over in Vegas. I think it can be a great homecoming if I can get the right opponent.”

Hatton on Witter

RH: “No I'm not really thinking about him (Witter). You can never say never but he is not really in our plans. I have an ambition to fight at MSG and Witter is not in that frame. No one can argue with what I've done. I'm not saying I'll never fight him but he is not on the radar at the minute.”

RH: “I'd love to knock him (Witter) out and think I would. Witter is fighting well at the minute. He looks good but I'm not in the business of giving a big cheque and a profile to someone who has been slagging me off for years.”

With that said the position in regards to Witter is becoming increasingly untenable. However, if Hatton's plans have to take into account HBO backing the likely scenario is that a fight at MSG against Paulie Malignaggi has already been drawn on the page, and the route towards it may not include Junior.

Certainly, a fight with Witter straight after the KO loss to Floyd would be crazy; instead the onus is on Witter to continue his remarkable run of form. With his next fight a possibility for US TV Junior's profile will be raised to the extent that the fight with Hatton becomes a must for the American, as well as British, networks, and the fans will put out the call.

If Junior presses his claims on US TV (the last frontier for Junior) the fight with Hatton takes on global significance and becomes more than a provincial grudge match. This should be what British boxing fans want most of all, two of our best fighting at the highest level before the eyes of the world. An impressive win apiece and this will become the only option left to both Hatton and Witter.

Good article but Hatton talks as if he is talking to people who do not know their boxing.

Whoever he fights, I will be cheering for them.

'Witters not on my Radar'?

Joker.

pS, Good article but why not Challenge Hatton on the constant tactics he uses to dodges Witter?

1) In the Contract

2) Get a Belt

3) Be excitng

4) Don't want to give him a payday!



MISSED OPPORTUNITY THERE, MATE!

Hatton didn't fight a world top 10 fighter in his first 39 fights, and somehow made around £6,000,000 and got Tszyu at exactly the right time. Most - if not all - in the world top 10 would have beaten Maussa, Collazo and Urango. Castillo was shot and weight-drained, and Mayweather hasn't been near his best since Gatti.

Until this guy beats a world-class fighter in their prime, he is over-rated.

RH: "Fcuk British Boxing and fcuk my fans (again)...... I will not fight Junior Witter"

I would have liked Hatton to be pushed on his feeble excuses for not fighting Witter, that's taking nothing away from it being an excellent interview. I understand it's difficult to push moot points against someone who doesn't have to give you an interview

Witter sparks him out and he knows it, that's why he is willing to fight anyone BUT Witter. Witter is now the #1 at 140, it's official. You can't keep your title if you're not willing to defend it.

I understand the argument that Hatton shouldn't fight him in his next fight and I can understand that considering he got KO'd last time out, but I can't see any valid excuses for not fighting him in his following fight. I maybe being cynical, but I just see this as delaying tactics he's hoping that Junior is going to go away or he's waiting til he (RH) is about to retire so that he has a ready-made excuse if he loses

Terry D wrote:

DG. wrote:Good article but Hatton talks as if he is talking to people who do not know their boxing.

Whoever he fights, I will be cheering for them.

'Witters not on my Radar'?

Joker.

pS, Good article but why not Challenge Hatton on the constant tactics he uses to dodges Witter?

1) In the Contract

2) Get a Belt

3) Be excitng

4) Don't want to give him a payday!



MISSED OPPORTUNITY THERE, MATE!

No offence DG but have you seen 'Boomerang'? You sound like Martin Lawrence's black militant character who can only discuss one thing.

"DG honey what do you want for tea?"

"I want Ricky Hatton to stop ducking Witter and to pay reparations for his years of Witter abuse. That's what I want. Plus some egg and chips. Do my eggs like Hatton. Fried!"

No offence taken.

My views are constant and will be made UNTIL Hatton takes the fight!

WHAT I WANT IS SOMEONE TO PUT HATTON ON THE SPOT!

Chambers2 wrote:RH: "Fcuk British Boxing and fcuk my fans (again)...... I will not fight Junior Witter"

I would have liked Hatton to be pushed on his feeble excuses for not fighting Witter

Witter sparks him out and he knows it, that's why he is willing to fight anyone BUT Witter.

Witter is now the #1 at 140, it's official. You can't keep your title if you're not willing to defend it

Told you Terry, this is what we want!

Just a shame that every Hatton thread turns sour with people crying out for Junior Witter. Let them both get on with their own careers. If Junior is that good he'll be fighting for Millions soon enough anyway.
I'd like to see Witter fight Urango.

38 fights sorry.

That's a trite comment. Witter is Hatton's top challenger at 140, a fellow belt holder, and a domestic rival. It should be a matter of pride to shut Witter up. Saying you won't fight him because he called you names is ridiculous. Perhaps Calzaghe should pull out of fighting B-hop because of the 'white boy' comments.

Hatton deserves a tune-up, however, if he is going to fight Malignaggi, Torres, Holt etc, then what possible rationale is there for NOT fighting Witter.

jamesmcdonnell wrote:That's a trite comment. Witter is Hatton's top challenger at 140, a fellow belt holder, and a domestic rival. It should be a matter of pride to shut Witter up. Saying you won't fight him because he called you names is ridiculous. Perhaps Calzaghe should pull out of fighting B-hop because of the 'white boy' comments.

Hatton deserves a tune-up, however, if he is going to fight Malignaggi, Torres, Holt etc, then what possible rationale is there for NOT fighting Witter.

absoutely. none of those names are attractions anyway. I'm really fed up of Hatton.

Ring magazine should "strip" Hatton of their title. If Hatton is Champion and Witter the #1 contender - by their criteria - then Hatton should fight Witter. Instead, he will fight anyone but Witter.

Before Hatton fought Floyd I thought that Witter would KO Hatton, and I still believe he would. Any time Hatton fights someone who's crafty behind a southpaw stance and he's nearly been stopped (Magee, Collazo) and can't avoid the punches.

I've always been of the belief that Hatton would be too quick, too aggressive and too powerful for Witter, but that belief is fast eroding, not least because of Hatton's unwillingness to fight him. I am beginning to believe Hatton really doesn't 'fancy' fighting witter.

Without being patronising Terry, I think also the problem for you, is you are rather close to the Hatton team, having spent a lot of time at that gym, and so it's not so easy to be pushy or abrasive.

At a press conference, I think Hatton would be likely to get a mauling from the press if he announced a Holt fight or Torres.

Terry D wrote:Witter is a good fighter and maybe the fight will happen. Al we can say is that for now Witter has the WBC title but a middling fighter like Hopkins thinks there are 'bigger' fights out there for him. Is this also down to Hatton? Get that US TV fight, actually impress, and then see what the score is. If Witter cannot get Hopkins into the ring, for the prestigious WBC title, then what message is that giving?

It shows that Hopkins fancies the Witter challenge as much as Ricky does..... not at all

Terry D wrote:

jamesmcdonnell wrote:Without being patronising Terry, I think also the problem for you, is you are rather close to the Hatton team, having spent a lot of time at that gym, and so it's not so easy to be pushy or abrasive.

At a press conference, I think Hatton would be likely to get a mauling from the press if he announced a Holt fight or Torres.

If that was the case there would have been no way that Jamie Moore and his gym would have allowed me full access to them prior to the Macklin fight. Especially given that Manchester has a notoriously cliquey scene.

This is not a pop but I can only ask the question twice. Anyone else can easily ask the same question a number of times. Graham has, or is about to, put an open call for any critics to visit the gym. I went, I asked, I got an answer, the expected one. Our own Oliver Fennell is a card-carrying journalist who has put out a lot of threads on the matter, we also know he loves to travel, why is he not asking the question and getting the answers? Or anyone else for that matter?

Paxman would have got an answer (or a left hook to the liver for his troubles more likely)..

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/n ... 182569.stm

Chambers2 wrote:

Terry D wrote:Witter is a good fighter and maybe the fight will happen. Al we can say is that for now Witter has the WBC title but a middling fighter like Hopkins thinks there are 'bigger' fights out there for him. Is this also down to Hatton? Get that US TV fight, actually impress, and then see what the score is. If Witter cannot get Hopkins into the ring, for the prestigious WBC title, then what message is that giving?

It shows that Hopkins fancies the Witter challenge as much as Ricky does..... not at all

Ricky doesn't need to pay rent though, D-Hop does now. Sofas also cost money.

Terry's observations are spot on. Hatton won't go near him right now, Hopkins won't (and he's fooking homeless!) and US TV won't (no coverage of his fight with Harris). Not even the average boxing fan will (how many on here actually went to the Harris fight?).

Is this a Hatton conspiracy? No.

Wales wrote:Just a shame that every Hatton thread turns sour with people crying out for Junior Witter.

Those who are complaining about the clamour for the Witter fight, be it here or every other letter in BN, must surely accept that, whatever your argument is for NOT wanting it, the sheer volume of protest FOR the fight is all the reason there need be for it to happen.

When there is such a public demand for something, surely the penny has to drop sooner rather than later.

And Terry, don't come with the "where are Witter's paying fans", because we've been down that road.

I'm just saying, even if you are among those who don't want the fight, surely you recognise those people are significantly outnumbered? Rightly or wrongly, this is fact.

Terry D wrote:All I can do is ask "are you now thinking of fighting Witter?", upon the response of "no" I can then ask "wouldn't it be fitting to fight him and KO him", upon the response of "yes and no" I'm left having to ask the question a third time and coming across as deliberately obtuse. I know the answer of a third question would be along the same lines and if it is a choice between asking the question again a third time, plus knowing the answer already, then it is better in my mind to ask about the Mayweather fight itself.

If you want the point pushed then why not put the call out for one of the many guys who get paid for asking questions to visit the place (for more than just an open-day scrum) and put him on the spot? I asked twice and in my opinion if someone asked me the same question three times in a row I'd think I was dealing with a feebe or a prick.

Witter is a good fighter and maybe the fight will happen. Al we can say is that for now Witter has the WBC title but a middling fighter like Hopkins thinks there are 'bigger' fights out there for him. Is this also down to Hatton? Get that US TV fight, actually impress, and then see what the score is. If Witter cannot get Hopkins into the ring, for the prestigious WBC title, then what message is that giving?

NO you could ask 'why is the Ring magazines no1 challenger 'not on your radar' yet inferior challengers are' or how about 'wouldn't it be fair to say Witter brings as much as anyone at 140, is a far bigger legacy fight, but is a tougher fight for the same money'

But I doubt you'd get many more interviews if you asked those Qs

Nobody is saying they "don't want the fight".

I'm personally just saying give the guy a break, he's just been knocked out by the best p4p in the world and is due a gimme. He's getting slated left, right and centre on here.

And who was the poster that said Mayweather has not been anywhere near his best since Gatti? Are you facking insane, that is ridiculous.

So you're saying Hatton was facing a past-his-best Mayweather?

Here's a question for you. How would Witter fair against Mayweather at welterweight?

Terry D wrote:All I can do is ask "are you now thinking of fighting Witter?", upon the response of "no" I can then ask "wouldn't it be fitting to fight him and KO him", upon the response of "yes and no" I'm left having to ask the question a third time and coming across as deliberately obtuse. I know the answer of a third question would be along the same lines and if it is a choice between asking the question again a third time, plus knowing the answer already, then it is better in my mind to ask about the Mayweather fight itself.

No, it's not asking the same question three times.

1) Q: Will you fight Witter? A: No/not yet
2) Q: Why not? A: Because he's been slagging me off
3) Q: But you did that to Mayweather; what's the difference here? A: ....

Don't get me wrong, Terry, that's a good article, and I understand it can be uncomfortable to ask difficult questions. But question 3 has not yet been answered or, indeed, been put to the man himself in any official interview, despite the fact that has been asked ad infinitum on here, other websites and in BN. If he can satisfactorily answer questions 2 or 3, then all power to him, but until he does, they will continue to be asked.

Also, given that anybody who knows you knows quite clearly where you stand on the Hatton-Witter issue (and I'm not judging you for your opinion), then you will have to expect a bit of cynicism over the fact you didn't press the issue. You might not agree with it, but you KNOW there is a huge demand for this fight, and so with that in mind, I feel you could have pursued the angle a bit more. It is certainly of more interest than Mayweather retrospective IMO.

Captain Hook wrote:Nobody is saying they "don't want the fight".

I'm personally just saying give the guy a break, he's just been knocked out by the best p4p in the world and is due a gimme. He's getting slated left, right and centre on here.

You know what? I agree with you. He is due a gimme and he has been copping too much flak. I am among those calling longest and loudets for a Witter fight, but I'm not taking anything away from Hatton's achievements so far. A lot of people are being hypocritical about him, having been firmly on the bandwagon in the lead-up to the Mayweather fight but now totally denouncing him. I'm a fan of both guys; more so Witter, but I'll support Hatton vs anyone else.

But that's not the point. Yes, Hatton is due a gimme. I'll even go so far as to say Maliganaggi is a good fight for him. But I want to at least believe he'll fight Witter in the near future. I want to hear Hatton saying the right things. Hell, even if the fight never happens, I want to at least believe Hatton wanted it to happen and it was just politics that got in the way. But it's what he's saying, the excuses he's making and has been making for EIGHT YEARS that stick in the craw.

Captain Hook wrote: So you're saying Hatton was facing a past-his-best Mayweather?

Here's a question for you. How would Witter fair against Mayweather at welterweight?

Actually in a few ways I'd say Mayweather is past his prime. He was much faster 2005 and before and has lost a step. His defense is as good if not better though

Witter would probably lose in a similar fashion to Zab Judah if he faced Mayweather. But who knows maybe Witters style would cause Mayweather problems or maybe he'd land a big shot.

Mayweather is also more experienced, and a good enough technical fighter that any loss in speed is not a disaster. Rather like James Toney who went on to produce one of the best performances of his career against Jirov in his late 30's.

Phenomenal-Nutrition wrote:

Captain Hook wrote: So you're saying Hatton was facing a past-his-best Mayweather?

Here's a question for you. How would Witter fair against Mayweather at welterweight?

Actually in a few ways I'd say Mayweather is past his prime. He was much faster 2005 and before and has lost a step. His defense is as good if not better though

Witter would probably lose in a similar fashion to Zab Judah if he faced Mayweather. But who knows maybe Witters style would cause Mayweather problems or maybe he'd land a big shot.

Mayweather's prime was 2001 to 2002 IMO, after his hand problems against Hernandez he hasn't been able to hit hard and free like he used to with the exception of Mitchell and Gatti, which was more to do with the level of opponent.

Although some could argue it was 2004/05.

oliverfennell wrote:

Wales wrote:Just a shame that every Hatton thread turns sour with people crying out for Junior Witter.

Those who are complaining about the clamour for the Witter fight, be it here or every other letter in BN, must surely accept that, whatever your argument is for NOT wanting it, the sheer volume of protest FOR the fight is all the reason there need be for it to happen.

When there is such a public demand for something, surely the penny has to drop sooner rather than later.

And Terry, don't come with the "where are Witter's paying fans", because we've been down that road.

I'm just saying, even if you are among those who don't want the fight, surely you recognise those people are significantly outnumbered? Rightly or wrongly, this is fact.

hang on a moment el-bandito, I didnt say I didnt want the fight. As it happens I'd like to see them face each other. Its just a pain in the arse when every thread turns into the same (now) tedious debate on Witter being the second coming and Hatton being a money grabbing chicken (something I dont buy).

How about we see Witter face the names people keep saying aint good enough for Hatton. Christ if Witter V Torres / Malinaggi was announced people would be cock-a-hoop for good old swashbuckling Junior.

Also, no way was mayweather best performance against Gatti. Gatti was a static shop worn target, Mayweather looked fantastic that night, but then a lot of fighters would, as Alfonso Gomez proved by whooping Gattis behind.

Perhaps someone who's championing the Hatton fight should set up a petition and send it over to the phoenix gym. Sure you'd get a ruck of names from sites liek Facebook and football forums etc..