posted Jan 31, 2007

Urango and Collazo had similar styles??? Urango was a come-forward slow one-dimensional plodder. Collazo was a slick south-paw with good movement. I think Urango was carefully chosen as a Hatton opponent simply because he was the opposite of Collazo. The only similarities between the two is that they were both almost unheard of, and that Hatton was supposed to walk through them.

As for expecting a vintage Hatton against Castillo, just what is vintage Hatton. He may have been able to box a bit when fighting mexican road sweepers under Warren. But against half-decent opposition he only seems able to fight one way. Comes in head first, initiates a sort of Ruiz style grapple, throwing a few body shots.

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posted Jan 31, 2007

geezerjay, what you conveniently failed to mention about Urango is that when he "earned" the title given up by Hatton, it was a most unconvincing points decision. It was seen as such a gift that some have labelled it the biggest robbery of 2006. As stated, Urango was chosen to showcase Hatton's exciting style as was Collazo. Both times, he failed to excite, for different reasons, but he failed nonetheless. It was much easier for Hatton to look good against the 38 opponents before Tzsyu littered with older, past-it or never was boxers. Now, fighters are either too strong, too big or even "too southpaw" for Ricky to look good. Those that say it's not fair to base opinions on Hatton's style based on the last two fights are right. On the same token, to call Mayweather boring because of his last performance (which was an exhibition of box and move) is not fair either. I have listed half a dozen fights he's had where he looked great and entertained (Corley, Manfreddy, Gatti, NDou, Corrales....). Now he is going for De La Hoya. How anyone can say after watching Margarito against Clottey, that he would be a bigger challenge than De La Hoya is beyond me. Also, does anyone think that Hatton would stand a good chance against De La Hoya? Honestly? He is bigger than Urango, faster, hits as hard and is infintiely a better boxer. On this basis, legendary status would be a step or two closer if Mayweather beats him rather than Margarito. Beating Julio Caesar Chavez at an advanced age in boxing terms never did Oscar or Tzsyu any harm.

If someone can really say Hatton can bring that Mayweather couldn't handle, I'd be happy to debate the issue.

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posted Feb 1, 2007

You can debate with me then? Hatton has as much chance of beat DLH at this stage of DLH career as PBF has. And PBF although the best in the world is almost as beatable as the next guy. It would be a hard match. If Lloydo Honeyghan can beat Donald Curry and then Hatton has a chance against PBF. Upsets happen in boxing more often than people believe.

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posted Feb 1, 2007

Bruce, Curry was famously having problems at welterweight. He was desperate to move up and fight Marvin Hagler at the time and everyone knows what happened (for those that don't, Ray Leonard convinced his "mate", Curry to have one more defense against Honeyghan while he moved in on the big money fight against Marvin). Yes, upsets do happen but what I wanted was a reasoned debate, not suppositions and cliches. If PBF is as beatable as the next guy, why has nobody managed to do it? Only one man has come close and it was rectified in a rematch. PBF is not unbeatable but he would be harder to beat than anyone Hatton's faced, including Tzsyu because he presents a whole different set of problems for Hatton (speed, technical skills, movement, fitness, punch accuracy and great defenses). Ricky has the strength advantage and is tough enough to walk through a lot of punches to land. But landing them will be a problem. He couldn't outbox Mayweather so maybe wrestling him will be his best hope. In the US it's difficult to get away with it.

Just to say "Hatton has as much chance" doesn't make it true. I'd like to know what makes you think so based on his performances since the Tzsyu fight. What advantages does Hatton have over Oscar that would lead him to victory? Hatton could win with workrate against the older man, or maybe going to the body like Hopkins did. But in all honesty, workrate has been a struggle to maintain and Hatton seems to have abandoned his famous body punching. Hatton struggled going up one weight with his style of boxing, going up two to fight Oscar would be a huge mountain to climb.

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posted Feb 1, 2007

GeezerJay

If u actually follow any boxing u'l find that Urango WAS given the IBF title. Everyone knows Rabbah was robbed of that fight so my original point still stands that: despite Hatton having 4 consecutive world title fights, he's been fighting bums. Collazo has an appalling KO rate n yet had Hatton out on his feet in R12 (did anyone else see Hatton clinging onto Collazo's legs wen he fell over?). Urango was one of the worst title holders I've ever seen. He was slow, and didn't know HOW to throw a punch. How the hell is he supposed to catch Hatton? Hatton is one of the easiest guys to hit at the top level n Urango couldn't even land a single combo that night, hence my Construction site worker reference.

n wat about Hatton's other 40 fights?? I went to the MEN arena for the "stunning" Stevie Smith fight. I was a blind fan back then n forked out 75 quid just to see Hatton look good against a bum... I only got one and half round's worth cos his opponents father disaquilified himself by entering the ring n pushed the ref. Whether ur a fan or not it should be easy to see that Hatton's taken everyone for a ride by getting rich wiv the minimum risk. Fairplay to the guy it's all business but to walk around claiming to have carved out a legacy by fighting 41 jokers and an old man is a bit silly. The only ppl to lose out are his blind fans who will be shocked if n wen he enters the ring wiv a top level LIVE fighter. I agree wiv MarvinLee n the way u put it mate is to say that Hatton just isn't good enough. and the more his fans give him the bigup, the more stupid they're gonna look.

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posted Feb 2, 2007

MarvinLee, it all applies to Hatton as well. Noone has yet been able to beat Hatton. Collazo is the only man to come close.
Hatton will do against PBF what he has done up to now. It works. He just might have to do it a bit better, and PBF will have to do his thing well on the night as well.
I wouldnt say Hatton is a bad boxing technician. Noone he has fought has really outboxed him. But Hatton can probably box quite well then and if it is not working i am sure he can change tactics mid fight.

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posted Feb 3, 2007

Bruce, Hatton is not a bad technician but he's not up there with the best either. Hatton hasn't really fought anyone capable of outboxing him except for Collazo and he nearly did lose. I don't remember Collazo getting his rematch, do you? I don't remember an opponent Hatton has faced that is remotely close to what Mayweather is, Urango was the total opposite. Hatton will indeed have to find a better way to employ his "hit and hold" tactics because he won't outbox the boxer. Educated pressure is his best bet and it has to be relentless. Any standing off and he'll picked to pieces. Too much holding and he probably won't get away with it without sanctions (point deductions etc). You haven't really convinced me that hatton has the necessary tools to not only trouble Mayweather, but beat him. I'm still open to debate though.

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posted Feb 4, 2007

You have your own belief and i dont for one second believe i can convince you that Hatton would beat mayweather.
Hatton is still unbeaten though, and he will aruably be the best fighter PBF has fought. Hatton has fought Kostya and wasnt expected to win. If Hatton believed what people said, he wouldnt have acheived anything. Hatton had belief in himself. People say he wont beat PBF but as far as i know Hatton thinks he can. And is on record as saying he would beat Mayweather, and i am sure PBF has heard what Hatton says about him.
Hatton might not beat PBF but he has as good a chance as anyone PBF has ever fought, and even better imo.

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posted Feb 6, 2007

Bruce, it's not an immovable belief, but I remain unconvinced due to a couple of things. One, is I think Mayweather is on a different level to most fighters, even the really good ones. Two, Hatton has not gone on to improve since his victory over Tszyu. Against Maussa he was clumsy, against Collazo he was nearly stopped and against Urango he settled for wrestling his way to victory. If Hatton had built on his great title win by beating his opponents convincingly, I would have more faith. But he seems to have plateaued performance-wise and in fact shown more vulnerabilities with each fight. I know what both fighter believe and they have to have that to get in the ring in first place. But going on current form and what each fighter brings, Mayweather, for me, is the heavy favourite. Hatton may have a chance but I can name fighters that have better chance of beating him (Cotto, DLH and Mosley to name three).

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posted Feb 6, 2007

Ricky Hatton is a coward and is just in boxing for the money who has he faught? Kosya was old and innactive for a while when hatton beat him fair enough a good performance by hatton but has he kicked his career on since then? after the kostya fight there were two names he should of tried to get cotto and pbf apparently he did not want any part of cotto and apparently he priced himself out of a pbf fight. I have heard hatton say he has won 6 world titles did he beat 6 world champions? Maussa is a joke was not meant to beat vivian harris but did this guy was not world championship material but ricky said when he beat him that he unified the division. Then he went up to welter and faught callazo not what i call world champ material either and ricky got lucky and he now says he is a two weight world champ. Goes back down to light welter and beats urango who just won his title no title defences again same like maussa not world champ material. Junior the hitter witter has wanted hatton for years and hatton said he was a world champ witter is not so a fight would not befit hatton. Then ricky says if witter wins something hatton wants (wbc title) then he will fight him. Witter wins it then hatton says he never impressed him and the usa. Now hatton has said he will never fight witter. So junior witter was not and still isnt good enough 2 fight hatton. Rickys next fight was meant to be castillo but now its lovemore ndou. Hold on didnt witter beat ndou at a time when witter was not world champion. So the WBC champion isnt good enough 4 hatton but a guy witter beat is? ricky wants to leave a legacy and wants to beat the best. In my eyes ricky will leave a legacy a legacy of dodging the best and beating the rest. Forget about ricky hatton his hype is making everybody who listens foolish just like that glass chin lennox lewis.

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