Kostya's take on HAtton /MAyweather

Dear Tszyu Crew,

For many of you, this coming weekend will be a special one with two big boxing events!

The majority of the boxing world is looking forward to the Floyd Mayweather verus Ricky Hatton welterweight super fight in Las Vegas and this type of match is great for the entire sport.

Two undefeated world champions, the best against the best and I can say that I am very much looking forward to this fight. The MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas is a great venue for boxing. I have enjoyed fighting there twice against Jake Rodriguez and Zab Judah.

Ricky Hatton has strong support and there will be many of his fans travelling across from the UK just to be there in Las Vegas, even if they can’t get a ticket for the arena. That in itself tells you what a boxing event it is.

For Ricky Hatton to win, he has to do what he did against me in our fight in Manchester. That is, putting on effective pressure. Huge, huge pressure, something that Floyd will not be able to sustain his defence against, pressure that Floyd will not be able to control.

The referee Joe Cortez will play an important role in the style of fight. If the referee allows Hatton to sustain this pressure in close by not breaking the boxers quickly, this will allow Ricky to work in close all of the time which is very much to his advantage. If this is the style of fight that is allowed, I think Ricky has a chance of wearing Floyd down completely.

Ricky Hatton is not the hardest puncher I ever fought. I don’t think he ever hurt me with one punch. It was the sheer volume of punches he throws over many rounds that does the damage. Ricky is very persistent in one direction - straight ahead, and he does this very, very well.

For Floyd Mayweather Jr to win, he will be controlling his emotions and not allow Hatton to fight Ricky’s fight. If Floyd controls the fight, something I was able to do against Ricky in the middle rounds of our match, keep his distance and fight away from Ricky’s pace, he has a very good chance of victory. Even in close, Mayweather can still control the action. Floyd has very good movements on the inside as well and he doesn’t have to fight on the outside all of the time to win. He can make Hatton miss and then counter him with his fast hands.

In June 1995, I defended my world title against Roger Mayweather, Floyd’s uncle and trainer. Roger was a very clever fighter at the age of 34, who was towards the end of his career. Floyd is using some of Roger’s tricks now, but in an even better way. Floyd is younger and he has developed the Mayweather boxing style that was taught to him by his father Floyd Sr and his uncle Roger, to even further extremes.

Floyd Mayweather Jr is the best boxer in the world pound for pound today. He has proven it over many years by not ducking anyone and winning six world titles in five weight classes. He is always ready to fight anyone and he is ready for any challenge in front of him.

I don’t have any problems with Ricky Hatton and hold nothing against him. With Floyd Mayweather Jr, I feel the same way and I respect both men.

Lets all hope we see a great fight this weekend with the best man winning on the night.

This coming Saturday December 8, 2007 at 12:00pm the Tszyu Crew will be holding ‘Crewfighter 3’ at the Tszyu Boxing Academy in Rockdale, Sydney. Sparring matches between members of the Tszyu Crew have been made in the Forum at www.KostyaTszyu.com.

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Originally Posted by Andre

Floyd Mayweather Jr is the best boxer in the world pound for pound today. He has proven it over many years by not ducking anyone and winning six world titles in five weight classes. He is always ready to fight anyone and he is ready for any challenge in front of him.

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So can we now put an end to the "Floyd avoided Tszyu at 140" argument? :)

Straight from the horses mouth ;)

I think Tszyu is spot on, plus he is a class act aswell.

Me too,A class act.
I remember him saying just before the Hatton fight there will be no excuses, I feel better going into this fight than I ever have.

Although I agree with Kostya Tyzu about what will go on in the ring, I feel that Cortes as a referee has much to be desired. He spends more time mugging for the camera and doesn't let the fighters fight. I have been turned off by him getting between the fighters in past fights. He still is a good referee but he talks too much and is distracting. Let the chips fall where they may Joe and be diligent but let the fighters fight.

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Originally Posted by SweetPea

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Originally Posted by Andre

Floyd Mayweather Jr is the best boxer in the world pound for pound today. He has proven it over many years by not ducking anyone and winning six world titles in five weight classes. He is always ready to fight anyone and he is ready for any challenge in front of him.

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So can we now put an end to the "Floyd avoided Tszyu at 140" argument? :)

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The only reason they didn't fight IMO was the old Showtime V HBO thing, I'm sure Floyd would have fought KT if the opportunity was there. If Tszyu had of won against Hatton i have no doubt the fight would have happened. Surprisingly KT is one fighter Floyd never dissed and appeared to have upmost respect for.

Well I never take these pics seriously. It seems to me that a fighter will always pick a guy that beat them to win over someone who hasnt beat them. I can believe him when he talk about Hatton, but how does he know Floyd wont handle Ricky inside, he has never been in with Floyd. Kostya is a good guy but he's def biased on this one.

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Originally Posted by No Contest

Well I never take these pics seriously. It seems to me that a fighter will always pick a guy that beat them to win over someone who hasnt beat them. I can believe him when he talk about Hatton, but how does he know Floyd wont handle Ricky inside, he has never been in with Floyd. Kostya is a good guy but he's def biased on this one.

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I didnt read it as a pick, I thought he was just outlining the pros and cons of each fighter.

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Originally Posted by No Contest

Well I never take these pics seriously. It seems to me that a fighter will always pick a guy that beat them to win over someone who hasnt beat them. I can believe him when he talk about Hatton, but how does he know Floyd wont handle Ricky inside, he has never been in with Floyd. Kostya is a good guy but he's def biased on this one.

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Read it again NC, he actually states that Floyd is very good on the inside and can make Hatton miss. My take is he thinks Floyd will win and will be up to the challenge that Hatton brings to the ring.
He knows better than anyone what Hatton is capable of and without making an actual pick, he thinks Floyd will win.

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Originally Posted by THE THIRD MAN

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Originally Posted by SweetPea

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Originally Posted by Andre

Floyd Mayweather Jr is the best boxer in the world pound for pound today. He has proven it over many years by not ducking anyone and winning six world titles in five weight classes. He is always ready to fight anyone and he is ready for any challenge in front of him.

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So can we now put an end to the "Floyd avoided Tszyu at 140" argument? :)

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The only reason they didn't fight IMO was the old Showtime V HBO thing, I'm sure Floyd would have fought KT if the opportunity was there. If Tszyu had of won against Hatton i have no doubt the fight would have happened. Surprisingly KT is one fighter Floyd never dissed and appeared to have upmost respect for.

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I know, this is what I've been trying to tell people here, but some anti-Floyd posters would still list Tszyu when they put together their lists of "fighters Floyd has ducked."

I know he doesnt really make a pick, but he is merely speculating like everyone else(since he hasnt fought Floyd). Im just saying in general guys pick the guys that beat them and there is a bit of bias. He says "Huge, huge pressure, something that Floyd will not be able to sustain his defence against, pressure that Floyd will not be able to control." Thats what I was talking about.

I think I just misconstrued him saying what Hatton needs to do as what he will do. My bad.

I think KT sums it up pretty well, Hatton will apply huge pressure, he has to because Floyd will have the answers defensively, what Hatton will be banking on is Floyd's ability to defensively hold him off and be able to counter and score enough points to win a UD. If Hatton can force Floyd to change tactics mid fight he may be a chance to cause the upset. KT is right about Hatton on the inside but Floyd can do it too and counter better than the Fatboy, this fight will be one of the most interesting fights you will ever see tactically. PBF in a hard fought UD.

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Originally Posted by No Contest

I know he doesnt really make a pick, but he is merely speculating like everyone else(since he hasnt fought Floyd). Im just saying in general guys pick the guys that beat them and there is a bit of bias. He says "Huge, huge pressure, something that Floyd will not be able to sustain his defence against, pressure that Floyd will not be able to control." Thats what I was talking about.

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Fair call too ;).

good post! I think he was spot on. Kostya agrees with the great M_D