SaddoBoxing Writer\’s Predict: Kostya Tszyu vs. Ricky Hatton.

Hatton finally receives a chance to prove that he is not only a legitimate light welterweight of this generation, but the definitive light welterweight of his time as he takes on an all-time great in Kostya Tszyu. The fight is to take place in Hatton’s own MEN

arena in England at the unusual hour of 2am in order to facilitate paymaster Showtime’s American television schedule. The fighters have taken all the necessary training measures to make sure that they are in the best condition of their careers and ready to fight at that strange time, and this fight deservedly stands as the battle for the legitimate light welterweight championship. Hatton’s fight record stands at almost forty wins without a loss, and although Tszyu’s record does not show as many fights, the sheer gap in quality of opposition between the two favors Tszyu by a long way. A war between these two is virtually assured, perhaps one even to rival the classic confrontation stated between Jose Luis Castillo and Diego Corrales earlier this year. Looking to add some weight to your prediction for the fight? Check out what our writers have to say.

Richard Eberline: As superb a boxer who can pinpoint a power punch as Kostya Tszyu is, I don’t think he will be able to deal effectively with Ricky Hatton’s expected blitz and get out tactics. Tszyu has demonstrated a great ability to sort out boxers, particulary southpaws, who he can keep at the end of his punches but has difficulty with fighters who can move well and attack him such as Jesse James Leija and Oktay Urkal. Leija, at an advanced age, didn’t have the stamina to continue his successes and was too small to absorb Tszyu’s efforts when Kostya was able to catch up. Urkal failed because he has very little pop to his punches. For the first time in Tszyu’s career he’ll be in the ring with a stronger man and it doesn’t stop there as Hatton is deceptively quick of hand and foot and may keep the lead footed Tszyu from being able to set himself to land that cannon-like right hand. If the Russian is able to find a home for that punch, Hatton’s chin will be sorely tested and its sturdiness could be the key to the bout. I’m predicting Hatton to make Tszyu look mortal and deliver a beating while absorbing one himself along the way to a clear-cut twelve round unanimous decision.

Matt Cotterell: I pick Ricky Hatton to put in the performance of his life and outpoint the living legend. Ricky will show us all that he has been operating in third gear thus far and now it is time for overdrive. It will need to be a near faultless performance, but he will be up to the job.

Jim Cawkwell: If there was a time this year that national pride could take effect over a fight prediction for me, it would be this one. Ricky Hatton is one of boxing’s nice guys and he deserves this chance to prove himself against the best. The problem is, Kostya Tszyu is the very best, and the weight of his talent makes it impossible to side with pride over common sense. Tszyu has beaten more talented, faster and harder punching fighters than Hatton throughout his career. In truth, Hatton’s mobility and punch volume will make it an interesting few rounds before Tszyu, as he has done so many times before, takes over with precision and power. The common mistake is for people to underestimate Tszyu’s athleticism, mistaking him for a stalking power puncher. Hatton will find that there are few more versatile technicians in boxing than Kostya Tszyu. I see Hatton coming out for the first few rounds putting on the fight of his life, buoyed by the intensity of the MEN crowd and the significance of the event. Tszyu will concede some rounds and Hatton’s confidence will grow, but beneath the furor, Tszyu will bide his time, noticing the adjustments he must make to shorten Hatton’s night. If a forty-year-old Vince Philips can give Hatton hell for twelve rounds, the gargantuan force of Tszyu will overwhelm him. Tszyu by a fifth round stoppage by the referee or corner stoppage because of Hatton’s cuts.

Katrina Walters: I feel that Kostya Tszyu is definitely going to win this fight. He is a tough, smart competitor. He strong and very crafty. Ricky Hatton is a resilient fighter, and can go toe-to-toe in a fierce boxing battle, but I believe Tszyu is much more experienced and much craftier in his skill, and will ultimately take Hatton to school. I believe that Tszyu is much more of an all around fighter and will pull out the win.

Sergio Martinez: On to the big night as Kostya “The Thunder from Down Under” Tszyu will take on Ricky “The Hitman” Hatton on what should be a great fight, for as long as it lasts. Hatton has not faced anyone neither the quality of “The Thunder from Down Under” and he will realize very quickly that he is in real trouble. I’m not sure that there is anyone in the 140-pound division that can take Tszyu’s powerful right hand flush. Hatton’s very busy, body attacking style will leave him wide open to be countered with that lethal right, and he will be put to sleep by no later than the fourth round. It will be “toodle pip” for “The Hitman” as he will probably never recover from this loss. There’s my two cents fight fans, enjoy.

Greig Johnston: I think this is a closer fight than a lot of people. Hatton is confident – good for him. But it will be interesting to see how confident he looks when he realizes he’s in with someone other than a Tackie or an old Vince Phillips or a Mike Stewart. It’ll be interesting to see how Hatton fights as soon as he takes that first flush right hand. I’m picking Kostya purely because he’s proven. Hatton is unproven at the highest level, and taking the step from Mike Stewart to Tszyu just seems a bridge too far for me.

Shaun Rico LaWhorn: This fight that will kick off a competitive June for the sport of boxing. Kostya Tszyu (31-1, 1 ND, 25 KOs) is stepping into the ring with Ricky Hatton (38-0, 28 KOs). Two very hard punchers with solid thoughts on coming out the winner. We have Tszyu, who rules the junior welterweight division, a man with spectacular boxing skills and a fearsome attitude. Ricky Hatton has hunger, patience and home arena advantage. What a match up! I see this fight starting slowly, with Hatton throwing punches early and landing, with Tszyu waiting patiently for an opening. As the rounds go on, Tszyu and Hatton will start to feel comfortable, and the big punches will come in bunches. I see Hatton knocking Tszyu out in round nine. Again, this fight has the makings of being a fight of the year, if not; England’s fans should be fans of the year. From what I understand, they will be watching the fight, live at 2am. From the United States, they will get my vote. The whole world needs to pay attention to this fight; it will be the guiding force on who is fighting Mayweather next.

Edwin Gonzalez: Ricky Hatton may have all of England in his corner come Saturday night. But one thing is for sure, they will not be in the ring with him. With Tszyu’s accuracy, Ricky Hatton will be an easy target. Hatton takes way too much punishment. And not only that. he bruises and cuts so easily. Kostya Tszyu is one of the more consistent boxers in the game today. I do give Ricky credit for taking the fight and out of the last three opponents, Tszyu has faced; Ricky has the best chance to beat him. But that chance is between slim and none. In order for Hatton to beat Tszyu, he would have to box more and trade less. But we all know that that is not Ricky’s style of fighting. He likes to come forward and work the body. If Hatton is coming for the body, he is open for shots up the middle and to the head as well. I expect Hatton to walk into a big right hand. It will be fun while it lasts but “Tszyuperman” will prevail yet again via knockout in the fourth round. Thank you and enjoy the fight! Goodnight.

Rich Saavedra: This one is going to be too tough to call! Kostya Tszyu is defending his IBF junior welterweight title against a warrior who I call “Manchester England’s Rocky Balboa,” Ricky Hatton. It can either go like this; Tszyu catches Hatton right in the kisser as he charges in and floors him, or Hatton tests Tszyu’s chin and conditioning by pounding on his body then by knocking his jaw into next week! I’m rooting for Hatton as he’s one of today’s great warriors, but my instincts say Kostya Tszyu will successfully defend his title by a TKO referee stoppage in the third round, spoiling the hometown favorite.

Jim Cawkwell can be reached at jimcawkwell@yahoo.co.uk