Boxing Preview Analysis: Floyd Mayweather vs. Ricky Hatton

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Well after months of anticipation its finally here. The hype machine has taken in such places as Los Angeles, Grand Rapids, New York, London and Manchester. Many words have been said. The fighters have come face to face. Now, in the words of Michael Buffer, “Lets Get Ready to Rumble”.

In a great year for world boxing, where big matchups seem to be coming like buses, Floyd Mayweather Jr., defends his WBC Welterweight crown against Ricky Hatton.

Both men are undefeated with a combined record of 81-0 and 53 knockouts have been amassed between them. Hatton is a two weight world champion and Mayweather is a five weight world champion.

It all started for Hatton in September 1997 with a one round win in Widnes, England. In his second pro fight, Hatton would get his first taste of the big American fight scene on the undercard of the Naseem Hamed vs. Kevin Kelley featherweight thriller. On that night in December 1997, he would again have his hand raised, gaining a four rounds points decision win.

Over the next three years, “The Hitman” would continue his unbeaten record, even appearing on a Mike Tyson undercard in Manchester before fighting for his first professional title against the experienced Jon Thaxton in October 2000.

On that night at Wembley, Hatton displayed his familiar grit, determination and character, surviving a nasty early cut to box his way to clear 12 rounds points decision win. The fight against Thaxton was for British honours, but world honours was just around the corner.

Hatton’s next bout in March 2001 would be for the lightly regarded WBU Light Welterweight crown. He would win this in four convincing rounds against American Tony Pep. The title meant little in world terms, but 2001 was the year that Hatton would gain a reputation worldwide.

With the WBU version of the 140 lb belt around his waist, Hatton now began to attract bigger name opponents. Men such as Jason Rowland, Freddie Pendleton, Eamon Magee, Vince Phillips, Ben Tackie, Michael Stewart and Ray Oliviera all thought they had the class to expose Hatton. They were all wrong. Hatton remained undefeated.

Long reigning world champion at 140 pounds, Kostya Tszyu, was persuaded to put this IBF title on the line at the Manchester Arena in June, 2005. Lets not forget that before this fight Tzsyu was universally recognised as the number one in the world. 11 tough rounds later, Tszyu was an ex-champion.

Hatton would add the WBA version of the title with a ninth round stoppage of Carlos Maussa in November 2005, before moving up to win his second weight world title with a 12 round decision over WBA 147 pound title holder Luis Collazo in May 2006. Hatton, after a bright start, faded down the stretch but still managed to pull out a decision win.

In January 2007, Ricky decided to move back down to the 140 pound weight division in a bid for his old title against Juan Urango in Las Vegas. Again, the Hitman was forced to display more of his boxing skills, pulling out another decision win.

Many thought Hatton’s lifestyle out of the ring was affecting his performances inside the ring, but in June 2007 Hatton destroyed that myth by literally breaking Mexican Jose Luis Castillo in half with a picture perfect body shot in four rounds.

Now comes the ultimate test.

Floyd Mayweather is quite rightly acclaimed the best pound for pound fighter in the world. That claim was cemented when in May this year, he defeated the legendary Oscar De La Hoya over 12 rounds to win world title number five.

Slightly older than Hatton at 30, Mayweather began his professional career at the super featherwwight limit of 130 pounds. A pro for only two years, he would win his first world title when in October 1998, he stopped champion Genaro Hernandez in eight to win the WBC version.

Opponents such as Angel Manfredy, Goyo Vargas, Diego Corrales and Jesus Chavez were defeated before Mayweather would attempt to win a world title at a second weight.

Tough Jose Luis Castillo stood in Mayweather’s way in April 2002. In a fight that gave Mayweather more negative press than anything, “Pretty Boy” used his boxing skills to win the lighweight title. Eight months later, Mayweather would win a rematch, again on points.

Mayweather didn’t stay long in the lightweight ranks, and would win his third weight title in June 2005 when he pummeled the game Arturo Gatti in six rounds. Mayweather would then add two versions of the 147 pound title with points wins over Zab Judah and Carlos Baldomir.

Saturday night poses so many questions. If the occasion was just based on the pre-fight build up alone, Hatton I feel has won. He seems to have enjoyed Mayweather’s rants more than anything.

The funniest remark was when Hatton said he was missing his son, but had another six year old to deal with in Mayweather. Hatton has remained unfazed during the build up and has looked so relaxed.

Mayweather, as we know, is sheer quality inside that ring. Only a fool would say otherwise. Hatton knows this and so do the boxing writers.

Its a great clash of styles and personalities. Mayweather will start the bookies favourite, but if you look at the common opponents of both men, you will see that actually Hatton has the better record.

In Mayweather’s two bouts against Castillo, he couldn’t hurt his man, never mind stop him, while Hatton crushed the Mexican in four.

Earlier in their professional careers, both men faced Tony Pep. Hatton was victorious in four, whereas Mayweather had to go the whole 10 rounds.

I feel Hatton’s best chance come Saturday night is to make Mayweather work three minutes a round. Some pundits feel that this could be as one sided as Mayweather’s bout with Gatti. But Hatton is a totally different proposition than the rather slow and aging Gatti.

Mayweather works better when allowed to work. Who knows what might have happened had De La Hoya been more aggressive in their May bout? Hatton appears to be in the best physical condition of this career and has total belief.

When I wrote an article in August, I stated that Hatton’s style was the one that could cause Mayweather the most problems. I still stand by that assessment.

Mayweather, for all his hype and bluster, is quality. For all the words he says outside the ring, he trains harder inside the gym.

However, Hatton for me has shown total belief and I’ve never seen him so relaxed. That has sold it for me. He’ll do his talking in the ring.

Call it misplaced patriotism, heck, call it what you want, but I feel Hatton is gonna shock the boxing world.