Boxing: I'm backing Eamonn to land British title: Hatton
Boxing: I'm backing Eamonn to land British title: Hatton
Eamonn Magee's old rival Ricky Hatton believes he will be British welterweight champion come Friday night.
Magee challenges Fife's British champion Kevin Anderson at the Motherwell Concert Hall, while Hatton yesterday confirmed that his blockbuster world title clash with Jose Luis Castillo on June 23 in Las Vegas will be screened by Setanta Sports - his previous contests having all been on Sky.
Five years on from their exciting WBU light-welterweight title clash before 18,000 at the MEN Arena, Hatton still has a high regard for the only man to put him on the canvas.
"This is a fantastic chance for Eamonn. He's certainly one of the hardest punchers I've faced," said Hatton, in an exclusive interview with the Belfast Telegraph.
"When he knocked me down it was more of a flash knockdown but in the second round he caught me and I was really in trouble though the hardest I've been hit was by Vince Phillips.
"He caught me and I was a lot more trouble but managed to get through it."
Hatton will be tuning in to see how Magee, now a veteran campaigner at 35, handles champion Anderson, 11 years his junior.
"Eamonn may be knocking on a bit but he has that awkward style and he's very skilful and not only does he hit hard but he is very accurate - he's a nasty, snappy puncher.
"With Anderson, what you see, is what you get, he's a bit of slugger and he'll keep coming at Eamonn.
"I guess it's a 50-50 fight but I would have to tip Eamonn. It's a big step up in class for Anderson.
"Against Eamonn I was able to work him out and use my boxing to solve the puzzle but I don't think Anderson has that boxing ability to fall back on.
"And if Eamonn does win maybe we could have another Magee-Hatton fight because my brother Matthew has been making waves at welterweight and it would be a natural defence for Eamonn."
Magee is naturally in confident mood ahead of his showdown with Anderson, who has said he will quit the ring if he loses to the Belfast man.
Magee said: "I certainly won't be quitting if I lose. I'm certainly not planning to lose the fight.
"As far as Kevin Anderson is concerned, it's a very negative thing to be coming from a professional man who is defending his title.
"I don't know where his head is. He won't cause me any problems.
"He boxes the same way every fight and it's like watching paint dry.
"You can predict what way he is going to do, he just comes forward aggressively throwing plenty of punches.
"That doesn't win you fights. Boxing is an art, a skill."
Magee also refuted suggestions that the 11-year age gap will have a significant effect in the latter stages of the fight.
He said: "It's maybe a fight that he doesn't want to go the distance.
"I've been training for this since Christmas. I had a week off after beating Janos Petrovics in February but I've been training three times a day ever since so my fitness is good.
"He is on the way up but it's just unfortunate that he's come across me as the mandatory challenger.
"He hasn't fought the class that I've been in with.
"I'm sure my experience will tell and I'm sure he will find out for himself on the night.
"I know my way around a ring. I've fought all around the world, so where it is makes no difference to me."
Re: Boxing: I'm backing Eamonn to land British title: Hatton
Re: Boxing: I'm backing Eamonn to land British title: Hatton
Re: Boxing: I'm backing Eamonn to land British title: Hatton
"I don't know where his head is. He won't cause me any problems.
"He boxes the same way every fight and it's like watching paint dry.
"You can predict what way he is going to do, he just comes forward aggressively throwing plenty of punches.
"That doesn't win you fights. Boxing is an art, a skill."
Like knocking down Hatton and lying on the ropes for 12 rounds doing bugger all?
Re: Boxing: I'm backing Eamonn to land British title: Hatton
Is this the same Eammon Mcgee that in front of a home town crowd stunk the place out with a a shocking performance against Takaloo who has since been beaten well by Micheal Jennings?? Im sorry but Mcgee is a warrior and a hard hard man but his days are numbered and i think Anderson will totally dominate him.
Re: Boxing: I'm backing Eamonn to land British title: Hatton
Quote:
Originally Posted by skel1983
Is this the same Eammon Mcgee that in front of a home town crowd stunk the place out with a a shocking performance against Takaloo who has since been beaten well by Micheal Jennings?? Im sorry but Mcgee is a warrior and a hard hard man but his days are numbered and i think Anderson will totally dominate him.
Also just been on Betfair to check the odds on this fight and well very unusual??
Anderson is seen as a 1/4 fav by one guy then some other guy is offering: 1/15 on Mcgee?? WTF??
Re: Boxing: I'm backing Eamonn to land British title: Hatton
I think Anderson may still be shellshocked from his last loss. He's said he will retire if he loses. He doesn't sound confident. He shouldn't even be talking about losing.
Re: Boxing: I'm backing Eamonn to land British title: Hatton
This is not the same eamon magee that lost to takaloo. He only did a few rounds sparring in the lead up to that fight. He's got his rounds in and is looking sharp as ever. Expect the terminator to win with a knockout. Too much experience and class for anderson... he'll be regretting he ever took the fight.
Re: Boxing: I'm backing Eamonn to land British title: Hatton
Quote:
Originally Posted by magee
This is not the same eamon magee that lost to takaloo. He only did a few rounds sparring in the lead up to that fight. He's got his rounds in and is looking sharp as ever. Expect the terminator to win with a knockout. Too much experience and class for anderson... he'll be regretting he ever took the fight.
Hindsight is beautiful isn't it ;D
Re: Boxing: I'm backing Eamonn to land British title: Hatton
Quote:
Originally Posted by magee
This is not the same eamon magee that lost to takaloo. He only did a few rounds sparring in the lead up to that fight. He's got his rounds in and is looking sharp as ever. Expect the terminator to win with a knockout. Too much experience and class for anderson... he'll be regretting he ever took the fight.
Magee is past it as i said. ;)
Re: Boxing: I'm backing Eamonn to land British title: Hatton
Eamonn Maggee
Robin Reid
Howard Eastman
Re: Boxing: I'm backing Eamonn to land British title: Hatton
Kev Anderson showed himself to be a boxer aswell as a slugger. And I thought Ricky Hatton was a student of the game?! Kev Anderson, future European champ!
Re: Boxing: I'm backing Eamonn to land British title: Hatton
Quote:
Originally Posted by ICE COLD BOXING
Quote:
Originally Posted by magee
This is not the same eamon magee that lost to takaloo. He only did a few rounds sparring in the lead up to that fight. He's got his rounds in and is looking sharp as ever. Expect the terminator to win with a knockout. Too much experience and class for anderson... he'll be regretting he ever took the fight.
Hindsight is beautiful isn't it ;D
My words are well and truly eaten.
