Click for larger image Boston Today © Saddo Boxing

It's a cold, rainy afternoon in Boston, almost as if the skies have conspired to make Ricky Hatton feel as comfortable as possible by producing a perfect Manchester spring day. If the weather is a bit on the down side, the mood among fight fans is upbeat, particularly among the squadrons of British visitors in town to support their beloved body puncher. The word from Hatton's

camp is that the ex-IBF/WBA Light Welter Champion is well up for this fight and is intent upon impressing the hordes of American media that will clutter the ringside areas of the TD Banknorth Garden as well as the millions of US viewers that will watch the HBO debut of "The Hitman! ".

There aren't many who are expecting Luis Collazo to win tonight but no one is writing off the WBA Welterweight Champion and you can bet the suits at HBO are hoping that the upward trajectory of Hatton isn't blunted by the Brooklyn southpaw.

Whether or not WBC Champion Floyd Mayweather will be ringside to watch Hatton in action has been the source of much conversation around town and the potential pairing of these two luminaries has generated more than a few heated arguments already.

Ticket sales have been reported as being brisk and a large walkup crowd is expected as fight time draws nearer. The financial success or fail of this Fight Academy/Banner Promotions card will determine the future of Boston as a viable big fight town.

There is a palatable tension in the air in Boston and it's the feeling of everyone holding their breath as they wait and see if Hatton's major US debut will come off as exciting as his 40 previous British appearances. The worry here is that the fight could turn out to be a messy, awkward affair between a counter punching southpaw and a smothering pressure fighter.

It's generally agreed that the tone of the fight will follow from what strategy Collazo takes. If he decides to engage in a slugfest with Hatton, the contest is sure to produce fireworks and drama regardless of whoever proves victorious. But if the champion decides to punch, move and spoil, everyone could be in for a long, boring twelve round affair that rarely happens during a Ricky Hatton fight.

Click to read more boxing articles by Jane Warburton

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