Thread: 5 Reasons Why Ricky Hatton Can Beat Floyd Mayweather Jr.

14.09.07 - By Derek Cowan: Okay, I'll admit it right of the bat, I am a huge Ricky Hatton boxing fan. I like his fighting style, his attitude, and I think he's funny! There is really no other reason that I can think of. I have no allegiance to Great Britain. I actually live in Texas, and have never even visited the UK. It all started a few years back as I was getting back into following boxing when I happened to stumble across a bout between Hatton and Vince Phillips. I had never seen Hatton fight before, and knew nothing of his record or previous opposition.

What I saw was a kid with an unbelievable workrate staying busy for nearly every minute of every round, and throwing punches with bad intentions while being completely respectful and humble following his lopsided decision over an old fighter.

I became an immediate fan and have followed him up until now with the biggest fight of his career less than three months away, against Floyd Mayweather Jr.

Having said that, I'll be equally honest in admitting that I don't care too much for Floyd Mayweather. I think he is cocky, arrogant, and disrespectful. I think he runs too much. I get tired of hearing how he wants to be considered as one of the all-time greats while watching him set up fights with lesser opponents when much better one's could be made. As a fan, I really want to see Hatton beat him up bad.

So how, you may ask, can I possibly write an objective article on this upcoming bout? Well it's simple. I believe you can be a fan of a fighter, player, or team without losing a sense of reality. I pick football games every week, college and pro, and I have no problem picking against my personal favorite. Bottom line: I like to be right, and when prognosticating, you leave your heart at the door and rely on the brains God gave you, period. To prove my point I admit that I picked Kostya Tszyu to beat Hatton back in 2005. I simply thought that Tszyu's power would be too much, and that Ricky's level of competition at that time was lacking. I really didn't think Hatton had much of a shot, and because I like being right I predicted that Hatton would suffer his first loss. Whoops!

So, to the question: Does Ricky Hatton have a legitimate chance of winning this fight. Relying on brains alone, I say yes, and here are 5 reasons why.

1.) Style's make fights. We have all heard this before, haven't we? This fights pit two opposites against one another. We have seen it many times in Boxing's history. The fluid, speedy boxer, against the straight ahead, aggresive slugger. To be fair we have seen both sides come out on the winning end over the years. It is my opinion that the only type fighter that can beat Mayweather in his prime is a fighter that possesses Ricky's style. Sure there will be a day when Mayweather will grow old and venture a little too far up in weight and be defeated by several younger, stronger foes if he chooses to hang around too long (and most do), but until then, no one will come close to out-boxing PBF while he remains at weights between 140 and 154 pounds. Floyd is simply too gifted and too poised in the ring. Many have predicted a Hatton fight with Mayweather to look something like the Mayweather/Gatti match. I think that is silly.

First of all, Gatti has always been overrated on boxing skill. He has become a fan favorite based on his courage alone with his greatest fights coming against average fighters, and any time we saw him in the ring against a truly skilled fighter he was easily beaten. Gatti was also way past his prime, although Mayweather would have easily beaten Gatti at any age. And finally, Gatti, under the strange instruction of Buddy McGirt, deployed a horrible strategy in that bout by attempting to box from the outside, and got cut to ribbons for his troubles. To be fair to Mayweather, he capitalized on that mistake a beat Gatti as badly as anyone ever has. However, Hatton comes at you non-stop, cuts off the ring with the best, and then manages to stay close with speed and clinching. Like it or not, it is a style that will make it much more difficult for Mayweather to find the space he needs to land flurries of unanswered combinations with pinpoint accuracy like we saw against Gatti. Jose Luis Castillo had as much success against PBF as we have seen with a similar style, but Ricky's is even faster paced and more relentless.


http://www.eastsideboxing.com/news.php?p=12422&more=1


I don't agree with quite a few of these points but i'll give my opinion after a few comments from you boys and girls.

I got $2.75 at the local $500 on Hatton got to win back what Oscar lost!

Its a long shot I know. I wouldn't have made the bet if Floyd wasn't participating in Dancing with the Stars. Floyd is too proud and competitive for his own good. I think he will sacrifice to much of his time and mind set in the lead up.

Sorry I got up to the part where he mentioned that Floyd runs too much and stopped reading.

I am not so sure Hatton's style is that bad for Mayweather. He doesn't throw a lot of punches which usually is the reason Mayweather loses rounds because judges don't necessarily see accurate punching as well as they should. Second he showed poor defense against the only fast guy I've seen him fight in Collazo. Third Mayweather fights better off the back foot. And fourth I think that Mayweather beat up Hatton on the inside... he has a lot of strength in the pocket and he gets off his punches so quickly.

I can name 5 reasons why a bum begging for change on the corner can beat Floyd Mayweather but it does not make it true.....

Pressure, Volume punching ect is nbot going to beat Floyd. Lets understand something ( and I hate Floyd but lets speak the truth for a sec)

Floyd is able to ANYTHING he wants in that ring...If Floyd wants to throw 100 punches a round he has the ability...

If Floyd wants to just be a counter puncher all night he has the ability....

If Floyd wants to stalk and be the agressor he has the ability......

I like Hatton I really do I have been a huge fan since I saw him fight Emmon Magee but point is he has never been in the ring with a guy as fast as Floyd who can move like Floyd who uses angles, flurries, ect...This is a step up for Hatton a huge step up...and those who wish to SC me feel free...like I said I am a fan of Ricky's but I am not going to get my hopes up....

Floyd is also pissed off not like the Oscar fight where it was all for the cameras this is real....Hatton insulted him too many times....I compare this situation to the Jones-Griffin when Roy lost on a DQ and needed to teach Montel a lesson and show him he did not beat Roy he just won on paper....

IMO the person to beat Floyd will have a simular style....one where the guy does everything that boxers should not according to the textbooks...

Tis why to this day Floyd himself states his hardest fight was Augustas

Only way Hatton beats Mayweather is if Roger jumps into the ring for some reason and gets Floyd DQ'ed. Other than that Hatton ain't winning. He's out of his league. And will get dominated in the process.

Hattons best chance at a win is for Floyd to take him lightly. A lot of boxers who get caught up in TV and hollywood seem to always suffer the ring. Floyd seems to be going this direction with dancing with the stars to being onstage with 50 cent. Lewis and Tarver both lost fights that many thought would be an easy win. Floyd may believe his own hype so much that he mentally might not be prepared for a guy like Hatton who will try to break him. Floyd will come in shape but a win would mean more to Hatton than it would to Mayweather. Hatton will beat on Mayweathers body like nobody has since he fought at lightweight. Hatton is small for this weight BUT his short punches will be stronger than Mayweathers short in close punches. Hatton needs to smother Mayweather and fight the ugliest fight of his career imo. He has a chance, he just needs to fight the right fight and for the right Mayweather to show up; the more conservative Mayweather who spends more time on the ropes. Basically the Mayweather of the last 2 years.

Mayweather always has a crazy lifestyle even during training camp as 24/7 showed, but he trains so hard, and he prepares for everyone from Gatti to Baldomir to Sharmba Mitchell... he will definitely not overlook Hatton. As for dancing with the stars I can't see it hurting his footwork. I mean Ray Robinson used to dance and so did Leonard I believe. I think Mayweather if anything could be a little lighter on his feet and stay on his toes a little more because he was caught flat footed a fetwtimes against Zab and against Oscar as well.

Originally Posted by Taeth

Mayweather always has a crazy lifestyle even during training camp as 24/7 showed, but he trains so hard, and he prepares for everyone from Gatti to Baldomir to Sharmba Mitchell... he will definitely not overlook Hatton. As for dancing with the stars I can't see it hurting his footwork. I mean Ray Robinson used to dance and so did Leonard I believe. I think Mayweather if anything could be a little lighter on his feet and stay on his toes a little more because he was caught flat footed a fetwtimes against Zab and against Oscar as well.

I agree he has been very flatfooted. I noticed that too, especially lately. He relies on his reflexes and handspeed and sort of abandoned his footwork. Could it be that maybe Mayweather is a little past his prime

Originally Posted by BoomBoom

Hattons best chance at a win is for Floyd to take him lightly. A lot of boxers who get caught up in TV and hollywood seem to always suffer the ring. Floyd seems to be going this direction with dancing with the stars to being onstage with 50 cent. Lewis and Tarver both lost fights that many thought would be an easy win. Floyd may believe his own hype so much that he mentally might not be prepared for a guy like Hatton who will try to break him. Floyd will come in shape but a win would mean more to Hatton than it would to Mayweather. Hatton will beat on Mayweathers body like nobody has since he fought at lightweight. Hatton is small for this weight BUT his short punches will be stronger than Mayweathers short in close punches. Hatton needs to smother Mayweather and fight the ugliest fight of his career imo. He has a chance, he just needs to fight the right fight and for the right Mayweather to show up; the more conservative Mayweather who spends more time on the ropes. Basically the Mayweather of the last 2 years.

Ditto!!Hatton must get inside,stay inside,Throw Mostly to the body and IMO make the head secondary.I Do not think floyd can do ANYTHING he wants,He is not a GOD.Absolutley,hatton must make it Rough & Tumble & Brutal on the inside and see maywither can be broken physical and mentally.I think Hatton will suprise people & Maywither With the number of short stout punches He'll get off inside.If hatton can not sustain a close inside onslaught,HE WILL LOSE.by ripping the body mostley,he must be keen and prepared for l. hook cntrs and that fall back pop shot right cross floyd will employ.He'll spin off the ropes when pushed,he'll counter with his own quick body shots,He'll come over the top rt.cross then lf. hook then make that "painfull grimace face" and clown & mug.
Hatton WILL be hit.He Will be Cut.He will look/be open and awkward establishing the inside,But he will and IMO, proceed to bring reality Raining on maywither And drag him into the trenches.And No,hatton is not Like The other rugged Inside fighters Floyd has faced(Hernandez,vargas,chavez)Maybe my passion makes me foggy here and I show My bias.I really think hatton will break up floyd and bring him places floyd has always believed his is to good to go and will disolve under the pressure. Hatton In an "upset" tko
OK,Ive said my piece,and seeing as I have a lowley 90+ post's and am new here proceed to tell me "Im on crack" Or just totally wrong.See ya here after the fight.

Originally Posted by DaxxKahn

I can name 5 reasons why a bum begging for change on the corner can beat Floyd Mayweather but it does not make it true.....

Pressure, Volume punching ect is nbot going to beat Floyd. Lets understand something ( and I hate Floyd but lets speak the truth for a sec)

Floyd is able to ANYTHING he wants in that ring...If Floyd wants to throw 100 punches a round he has the ability...

If Floyd wants to just be a counter puncher all night he has the ability....

If Floyd wants to stalk and be the agressor he has the ability......

I like Hatton I really do I have been a huge fan since I saw him fight Emmon Magee but point is he has never been in the ring with a guy as fast as Floyd who can move like Floyd who uses angles, flurries, ect...This is a step up for Hatton a huge step up...and those who wish to SC me feel free...like I said I am a fan of Ricky's but I am not going to get my hopes up....

Floyd is also pissed off not like the Oscar fight where it was all for the cameras this is real....Hatton insulted him too many times....I compare this situation to the Jones-Griffin when Roy lost on a DQ and needed to teach Montel a lesson and show him he did not beat Roy he just won on paper....

IMO the person to beat Floyd will have a simular style....one where the guy does everything that boxers should not according to the textbooks...

Tis why to this day Floyd himself states his hardest fight was Augustas

CC, I agree with everything you wrote Daxx. I'm also a big fan of Hatton, but PBF is going to murder him IMO. I hope Hatton can prove me wrong, but I'm not going to put any money on it.
Like you said, I can name 5 reasons Hatton can beat Floyd, and about 500 reasons why Floyd will beat Hatton.

Originally Posted by CFH

Originally Posted by DaxxKahn

I can name 5 reasons why a bum begging for change on the corner can beat Floyd Mayweather but it does not make it true.....

Pressure, Volume punching ect is nbot going to beat Floyd. Lets understand something ( and I hate Floyd but lets speak the truth for a sec)

Floyd is able to ANYTHING he wants in that ring...If Floyd wants to throw 100 punches a round he has the ability...

If Floyd wants to just be a counter puncher all night he has the ability....

If Floyd wants to stalk and be the agressor he has the ability......

I like Hatton I really do I have been a huge fan since I saw him fight Emmon Magee but point is he has never been in the ring with a guy as fast as Floyd who can move like Floyd who uses angles, flurries, ect...This is a step up for Hatton a huge step up...and those who wish to SC me feel free...like I said I am a fan of Ricky's but I am not going to get my hopes up....

Floyd is also pissed off not like the Oscar fight where it was all for the cameras this is real....Hatton insulted him too many times....I compare this situation to the Jones-Griffin when Roy lost on a DQ and needed to teach Montel a lesson and show him he did not beat Roy he just won on paper....

IMO the person to beat Floyd will have a simular style....one where the guy does everything that boxers should not according to the textbooks...

Tis why to this day Floyd himself states his hardest fight was Augustas

CC, I agree with everything you wrote Daxx. I'm also a big fan of Hatton, but PBF is going to murder him IMO. I hope Hatton can prove me wrong, but I'm not going to put any money on it.
Like you said, I can name 5 reasons Hatton can beat Floyd, and about 500 reasons why Floyd will beat Hatton.

CC back at ya mate....Hell I have been waiting for someone to humble Floyd but what I want and what will happend are two different things

Originally Posted by BoomBoom

Originally Posted by Taeth

Mayweather always has a crazy lifestyle even during training camp as 24/7 showed, but he trains so hard, and he prepares for everyone from Gatti to Baldomir to Sharmba Mitchell... he will definitely not overlook Hatton. As for dancing with the stars I can't see it hurting his footwork. I mean Ray Robinson used to dance and so did Leonard I believe. I think Mayweather if anything could be a little lighter on his feet and stay on his toes a little more because he was caught flat footed a fetwtimes against Zab and against Oscar as well.

I agree he has been very flatfooted. I noticed that too, especially lately. He relies on his reflexes and handspeed and sort of abandoned his footwork. Could it be that maybe Mayweather is a little past his prime

I don't think so... Roy Jones Jr. was a lot more flat footed at light heavyweight compared to when he was in middleweight or super middleweight. I think the weight makes it harder to move around, and I think he tries to plant his feet to hit harder. Also despite what people are saying I truly believe Mayweather has tried to stay his ground against Baldomir and he tried to tire Oscar out by letting Oscar try to hit him on the ropes. Mayweather still uses a very tight defence not just reflexes, and after watching Hopkins-Wright there is no reason MAyweather at his age with his endurance can't dance for 12 rounds if he has to. However I don't believe thats the case I think he fight in close to Hatton and he will beat Hatton to the punch unless Hatton starts holding him in which case I think Mayweather will fight on the outside and potshot Ricky.

Originally Posted by Taeth

Originally Posted by BoomBoom

Originally Posted by Taeth

Mayweather always has a crazy lifestyle even during training camp as 24/7 showed, but he trains so hard, and he prepares for everyone from Gatti to Baldomir to Sharmba Mitchell... he will definitely not overlook Hatton. As for dancing with the stars I can't see it hurting his footwork. I mean Ray Robinson used to dance and so did Leonard I believe. I think Mayweather if anything could be a little lighter on his feet and stay on his toes a little more because he was caught flat footed a fetwtimes against Zab and against Oscar as well.

I agree he has been very flatfooted. I noticed that too, especially lately. He relies on his reflexes and handspeed and sort of abandoned his footwork. Could it be that maybe Mayweather is a little past his prime

I don't think so... Roy Jones Jr. was a lot more flat footed at light heavyweight compared to when he was in middleweight or super middleweight. I think the weight makes it harder to move around, and I think he tries to plant his feet to hit harder. Also despite what people are saying I truly believe Mayweather has tried to stay his ground against Baldomir and he tried to tire Oscar out by letting Oscar try to hit him on the ropes. Mayweather still uses a very tight defence not just reflexes, and after watching Hopkins-Wright there is no reason MAyweather at his age with his endurance can't dance for 12 rounds if he has to. However I don't believe thats the case I think he fight in close to Hatton and he will beat Hatton to the punch unless Hatton starts holding him in which case I think Mayweather will fight on the outside and potshot Ricky.

Yeah but if Oscar continued to use his jab he would have won the fight. I dont think theres any question about that so basically Floyd didnt have an answer to Oscars gameplan till Oscar abandoned it. Now Hatton cant win this fight with his jab, but he can win it with his left hook and uppercuts followed by a short right. I think the real question is how does he handle Floyds speed and power at 147?

Originally Posted by BoomBoom

Originally Posted by Taeth

Originally Posted by BoomBoom

Originally Posted by Taeth

Mayweather always has a crazy lifestyle even during training camp as 24/7 showed, but he trains so hard, and he prepares for everyone from Gatti to Baldomir to Sharmba Mitchell... he will definitely not overlook Hatton. As for dancing with the stars I can't see it hurting his footwork. I mean Ray Robinson used to dance and so did Leonard I believe. I think Mayweather if anything could be a little lighter on his feet and stay on his toes a little more because he was caught flat footed a fetwtimes against Zab and against Oscar as well.

I agree he has been very flatfooted. I noticed that too, especially lately. He relies on his reflexes and handspeed and sort of abandoned his footwork. Could it be that maybe Mayweather is a little past his prime

I don't think so... Roy Jones Jr. was a lot more flat footed at light heavyweight compared to when he was in middleweight or super middleweight. I think the weight makes it harder to move around, and I think he tries to plant his feet to hit harder. Also despite what people are saying I truly believe Mayweather has tried to stay his ground against Baldomir and he tried to tire Oscar out by letting Oscar try to hit him on the ropes. Mayweather still uses a very tight defence not just reflexes, and after watching Hopkins-Wright there is no reason MAyweather at his age with his endurance can't dance for 12 rounds if he has to. However I don't believe thats the case I think he fight in close to Hatton and he will beat Hatton to the punch unless Hatton starts holding him in which case I think Mayweather will fight on the outside and potshot Ricky.

Yeah but if Oscar continued to use his jab he would have won the fight. I dont think theres any question about that so basically Floyd didnt have an answer to Oscars gameplan till Oscar abandoned it. ?

Oscar Delahoya was a very seasoned veteran when he went in the ring with with Mayweather that night, having said that, if Oscar is smart enough to know that if his gameplan was so effective that Mayweather wouldn't have won the fight...... Delahoya wouldn't have abandoned it





As for Hatton............





I think that he will have a much harder time adjusting to Floyd Mayweather's speed, power, technique, defense, etc. etc. than he did adjusting to Luis Collazos (which was a fight that Hatton won by a single point ) in Hatton's other fight at 147.