A Hit list for the Hit Man by Ben Cohen

A Hit list for the Hit Man

http://secondsout.com/USA/news.cfm?ccs=229&cs=19545

By Ben Cohen: The general media reaction to Ricky Hatton's fight with Luis Collazo over the last week and a half has not been particularly good. In what was supposed to be his explosive "Coming to America" fight, Hatton looked a little out of sorts in the new weight category.

Fighting for the first time on HBO, it was certainly not the dominant performance Hatton and his promotional team had hoped for. A month earlier, Hatton's trainer Billy Graham had said that "You would have to be mad for me to want my fighter to go up in weight, and fight a tricky south paw who is a world champion". Graham's concerns were evidently well founded.

At 147lbs, Hatton's punching was not authoritative, his strength less impressive, and his defence leakier than it had been for some time. Collazo confused the 'Hit Man', and out boxed him for prolonged periods of the bout. Hatton did floor the New Yorker in the first round, and worked hard throughout taking a good portion of the fight, but the decision was close, and many thought it should have gone the other way.

His options for big fights in the U.S is by no means over, but his bargaining power has been reduced by the fact that many observers felt he was somewhat fortunate to get the decision.

There is a school of thought that his less than stellar performance may actually help Hatton get fights (though maybe not the money he wants). The fact that Collazo was able to hit and hurt the Mancunian will give confidence to many. Hatton can be beaten, and Collazo has shown a way of doing it.

Firstly, fight him at 147lbs. The violent, marauding style of fighting does not work for Hatton against natural welterweights. He is too short to hold the muscle effectively, and it does nothing for his punch power. Secondly, be a southpaw, and thirdly, give him punches from awkward angles.

Collazo threw rapid fire punches, and varied his rhythm and line of attack from moment to moment. He boxed well from range, and tied Hatton up when he came in. Hatton often did not know where the punches were coming from, and for the first time, was forced to retreat on occasion.

Should the Hit Man move down to 140lbs, or stay at 147 and fight bigger names? What are his chances of winning against some of the big names, and how exciting will the fights be?

Floyd Mayweather-147

Mayweather has the advantage here, as Hatton looks far too slow at Welterweight. Mayweather would be far too fast for Hatton, and would take a comfortable decision.

Excitement Factor: 6/10
Chance of winning: 30%

Floyd Mayweather 140

The odds should narrow considerably, as Hatton is a monster at this weight. He is fast and very strong at this weight, and should be able to give Mayweather the toughest fight of his career.

Excitement Factor: 7/10
Chance of winning: 45%

Miguel Cotto- 140

A great, great match up of styles. The patient stalker versus the relentless aggressor would make for a very entertaining, action packed fight. Hatton probably has the edge here due to his phenomenal pace and Cotto's shaky whiskers.

Excitement Factor: 9/10
Chance of winning: 60%


Jose Luis Castillo

Another mouth watering match-up. Castillo is an absolute monster at 135, and had fought at 140 several times before (and even all the way up to 150lbs). It would be a fight in a phone booth for the entire bout, with both fighters dissecting each other's midsections. Neither man would have the advantage up close, as Castillo's craftiness would make up for Hatton's volume. However, Hatton is still that little bit bigger, and he will find Castillo's chin more frequently than Diego Corrales.

Chance of winning: 55%
Excitement Factor: 10/10

Diego Corrales- 140

Another huge Lightweight who would retain his punch power at 140. However, if Hatton could walk through Tszyu's bombs, then he won't have a problem with Chico's. Corrales long torso would provide Hatton with a huge target, and the Hitman would hit it all night.

Chance of winning: 70%
Excitement Factor: 9/10

Luis Collazo, rematch at 147.

This would be a fight where whoever could make the adjustment wins. Hatton is an intelligent boxer, but he is not a reflexive fighter like Collazo. Collazo probably has more room to adjust, so would probably be the favourite to win the rematch with Hatton. At 147, Hatton loses most of his advantages against his opponents, as out muscling and out working them play a huge part of his strategy.

Chance of winning: 45%
Excitement Factor: 6/10

Arturo Gatti-147

This is an interesting and entertaining match up. Gatti is the bigger puncher at this weight, but Hatton is the better all round fighter. Hatton may get hit more by Gatti at 147 but he should retain enough strength and speed to beat the Canadian to the punch. This should take the older man out of his comfort zone, and give Hatton the edge.

Chance of winning: 65%
Excitement Factor: 9/10

Junior Witter-140

Witter keeps promising good performances, but has not really delivered for quite some time (his last semi decent fight was almost 2 years ago against Lovemore N'dou). The switch-hitting Bradford puncher is dangerous, but Hatton would be too strong and too relentless.

Chance of winning: 70%
Excitement Factor 7/10

Oscar DeLaHoya 147

If Oscar could make 147lbs, this fight would be a real thriller. However, given the Golden Boys recent destruction of Ricardo Mayorga, he would be far too big and far too powerful for an already undersized Hatton at the Welterweight limit.

Chance of winning: 25%
Excitement Factor: 9/10

:coolclick: Intereting odds. I actually pretty much agree with all of them. once again Margaito is not acknowledged though

:coolclick: back.

Not sure that I agree with it 100%...but that was a pretty cool take on it all.

If anything i wouldnt give the edge to him against Cotto or Castillo, and a PBF fight at any weight would be more lopsided for floyd

Quote:

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Originally Posted by BoomBoom

:coolclick: Intereting odds. I actually pretty much agree with all of them. once again Margaito is not acknowledged though

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That's what happens when you only feast on bums

Good list, but Hatton won't beat Mayweather.

:coolclick: for that, wacko

an interesting read....hatton's performance against collazo was frustrating for me more than anything else. there were elements missing from hatton's game and collazo was able to capitalise. hatton won the fight fair and square but the tightness of the victory in what was not expected to be a massively difficult fight was underwhelming for me....

of that list i maintain that hatton can potentially beat them all, PBF is more of a lottery for me, but hatton at his very best will give floyd some problems. DLH is a fight that will never happen so i wont even consider that. DLH is too big for hatton anyways....

Castillo-Hatton is the one I want to see. Castillo is getting old, but I think he hurts Hatton, and puts him down.

Hatton wont beat any of em :)
mark my words
dont cry like a bitch
when the truth is revealed finally
thats what you get for hyping people up
instead of waiting patientely and giving them a chance to prove themselves by fighting!!!

CC,interesting and yea,you see Tony on the list? Nope because there are no odds,Hatton would get crushed. I would love to see a JLC,PBF and Cotto fight,Gatti would do nothing to enhance is reputation.