Some thoughts on Hatton.

[ono]

I agree about the first six rounds Ono.

I believe however, they've adopted the new strategy saying "it worked against Tszyu."
However styles make fights and this means the tactic will have varying levels of usefullness in each fight with each unique opponent.

I can't tell you how happy I was during the Urango fight "Yes Rickys back on form!" but then he dredged it out in the trenches

What I'm not sure Graham realises is that with that style, the physical demands are greater as he uses every ounce of muscle he has, and he is also shortening Hatton's career

Yeh i agree with what you're saying. Especially the bit in bold. In the Tszyu fight they primarily looked to close the distance as quickly as possible. He was wary of getting caught in no man's land.*

He hasn't changed his gameplan really in any fight since then (other than the 1st 6 against Urango). This was especially evident against Mayweather. Hatton's speed actually surprised Mayweather and it allowed him to close the distance and cut off the ring quite easily. Trouble was, it looked like they hadn't devised a plan of what to do once he got inside.

He kept throwing a straight right which was going over Mayweather's head (as he was ducking down below his waist - which is illegal). He kept missing with it, but he still kept throwing it. Everytime he threw it, they would end up clinching, Mayweather would mug him, push him off and then open up. This lead to Hatton being caught in 'no-man's land.'*

Thing is, we are going to see the same thing against Lazcano. Fortunately Lazcano won't be good enough to take advantage of it.



* By 'no-man's land' i actually mean standing in range directly in front of his opponent (but standing too far away to hit and hold)

[donnydarkoIRL]

Completely agree Ono!

It was the perfect blueprint for beating Tszyu, but as with Ali and the rope a dope and it's use against Foreman, its not perfect for every fight; as Ali found out against the much more acute punching Frazier.

Against Maywether, Hatton's aggresive boxing could have been far more effective, if he got inside Mayweather's reach and used his own flurries. Instead he walked straight into the best fighter in the world.

I'm not dissing my favourite fighter, I'm just hoping for his own sake, he uses his own old style against Lazcano, in order to make the job easier on himself and perhaps allow him a few extra fights in the long run.