Ricky Hatton Vs Juan Urango
HATTON V URANGO BOXING COUNTDOWN…
Ricky wins Via UD full report below
Ricky HattonRecord: 41 Wins 0 Losses |
Juan UrangoRecord: 17 Wins 0 Losses 1 Draws |
Hatton-Urango Promotion: Fight Academy & Banner Promotions in association with Top Rank
Tickets: Ticketmasters
Venue: Paris Hotel, Las Vegas.
TV: HBO Boxing –
Hatton-Urango
By James Slater
Ricky Is Happy Living The Dream, But Will Juan Urango Spoil The Party?
At the age of twenty-eight, Ricky “The Hitman†Hatton is certainly living the dream he had as a child. Boxing on the top of the bill in fabulous Las Vegas next year, Ricky will see the ambition he has had since first putting on boxing gloves come true.
Indeed, appearing on a big bill in Vegas is as much as any fighter can hope for in many ways. “Fight Townâ€, as Vegas is known, is THE place for professional prize fighting these days, as it has been since the late 1970’s. And for Ricky Hatton, a tough kid from the streets of Manchester, to be the top of the bill there is something that will perhaps mean more to him than becoming world champion did.
Vegas is the place where legends are made and Hatton wants to become one. He is definitely going the right way about it. With a mega fight with Mexican warrior Jose Luis Castillo scheduled to follow the Urango bout, “The Hitman†is looking to fight the best opposition available. The thought of a Hatton-Castillo fight, a match-up that potentially has fight of the year/decade all over it, is absolutely mouth watering. First though, Ricky must take care of the unbeaten Columbian – the man who currently holds his old IBF world title.
The fight will be held at The Paris Hotel on the famous Strip, and as both men will enter the ring undefeated someone’s “0†will have to go. Does Juan have a chance at making it Ricky’s? There are a number of other questions going into this fight. For example, Ricky will be coming off the longest idle spell of his entire career, therefore will the possibility of ring-rust raise its head?
Also, how much weight did the two-time world champ put on during his inactive spell and will shedding it be any sort of a problem? As for the twenty-six year old Urango, will the size of the occasion get to him? Hatton will certainly be by far the most formidable opponent yet in his career. This and the glitzy venue the fight is being fought at may phase Juan somewhat.
Actually, with Ricky coming off the worst showing of his career to date – against the slick southpaw, Luis Collazo – and Juan coming off a decision win that raised more than a few eyebrows – against Naoufel Ben Rabah – the match-up is a fascinating one. Both men will be brimming with determination to improve on their last showing.
Back down at his natural weight of light-welterweight, Hatton will look to regain his old menace and self belief – belief that he is the very best fighter in his weight class. If he convincingly defeats the well muscled Urango he will be heading in the right direction; X2 if he wins by KO.
The Columbian doesn’t figure to go easily though. Despite the controversial aspect of his win over Rabah, his biggest victory to date, Juan is a strong and capable fighter. Yes, he probably did deserve to lose the points verdict to the Australian back in June, but to judge him off this performance alone would be a mistake. One I seriously doubt Ricky will make.
With thirteen KO’s amongst his seventeen wins, Urango’s power must be respected. And in the draw he has on his record he boxed one Mike Arnaoutis, the man who has just fought the lethal punching Ricardo Torres in a close split decision loss. Add to this the fact that the reigning IBF 140 pound champion has both a height and reach advantage over “The Hitman†– Hatton stands at five feet and six inches and has a reach of only 65 inches, while Urango stands at five feet and eight inches and has a wingspan of 71 inches – and it’s clear to see that Ricky has a very real fight on his hands.
There is no doubt about it, Juan Urango is a world class fighter. One who Ricky Hatton must not let ruin his plans of becoming a boxing legend. If for no other reason than the admittedly selfish one that we fans are desperate to see Britain’s best fighter get it on with Castillo!
Ricky Hatton Conference Audio Stream
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Fight Academy and Ricky Hatton held a press conference to officially announce that Ricky will be facing Juan Urango in Las Vegas on the 20th January. Saddo Boxing was in attendance to bring you the whole audio of the Conference where Ricky reveals his thoughts on Urango, fighting in Vegas, Castillo, Collazo and much more.
You don’t want to miss the full audio of this…
The Conference had a 007 theme to it and in true “Bond” style……Ricky Hitman Hatton sped up the street in a beautiful Aston Martin…screeching to a halt outside the new ‘Manchester235 Casino/Entertainment Club’ In the Deansgate area of Manchester today. Stepping out of the silver Aston Martin – Ricky emerged dressed in a smart black suit and bowtie. Three ‘bond-girls’ joined him for photo’s as they posed on the bonnet of the car. This was to be a press conference to officially announce Ricks next fight: Urango on the 20th January 2(007) in Las Vegas. Rick was joined at the top table by Denis Hobson, Richard Poxon, Ray Hatton, Billy Graham and Gareth Williams.
FULL AUDIO STREAM BELOW…
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Hatton Vs Urango Ringside Report
By Mark DeSisto
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Manchester, England’s Ricky Hatton fulfilled his dream of winning a major title in the boxing capital of the world by scoring a unanimous 119-109 decision over Colombia’s Juan Urango at The Paris Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, NV.
Hatton regained the IBF Light Welterweight title with a tactical if not boring, workman like effort over the muscle bound southpaw. The latter half of the fight certainly could have been called “Punch and Clinch†or “Hit and Holdâ€, but Hatton did what he needed to do to ensure a victory in an important fight over a dangerous opponent.
Despite being overseas, the “Hitman†must have felt right at home on Vegas strip as the 3000 British fans on hand dominated the cheering in the 7000 capacity ballroom, often singing a few favorite tunes during the bout.
Hatton got a taste of Urango’s strength and most effective punch in the first ten seconds of the bout when a countering right hook stunned the Mancunian native, sending him a few steps backward. It was evident that Urango was actually stronger than the powerful Hatton, something the Englishman is not accustomed to in the 140 pound division. Hatton wisely showed his versatility by going into a boxing mode and simply out hustling Urango in the early
going.
“ He was very, very tough. Those first four of five rounds I looked like Willie Pep†stated Manchester’s favorite son. That undoubtedly is a bit of a stretch, but the movement and boxing against the plodding champion had Hatton comfortably sweeping the first four rounds. When there was a bit of toe to toe trading in the third round, Hatton quickly figured out best to stick with stick and move tactics, often landing quick lead left hands.
The Colombian champion seemed to find his range in the fifth round, focusing on an effective body attack, something Hatton is better known for. One particular right hook landed with a thud that could be heard rows back, appearing to stun Hatton and put the British champion in survival mode for the remainder of the round. Prior to the start of round 6, Hatton’s trainer Billy Graham told him to conserve some energy for a twelve round fight as it seemed unlikely that Hatton would be able to stop his teak tough opponent.
The now former champion Urango (17-1-1, 13KO’s) failed to capitalize on his success in the fifth round as his punch output dropped back to it’s more economical pace, allowing Hatton to outwork him and regain control of the fight in rounds 6 and 7. At this point in his career, Urango is far too one dimensional a fighter, generally plodding forward, looking to land his heavy right hook without much of a straight left to speak of, and far too economical with his punches as he’d seem to be much better served letting his heavy hands go, particularly on the inside.
The remainder of the fight was frustrating to watch, as Hatton did not want to trade with Urango and turned to hit and hold tactics. The Englishman used his greater speed to land a quick lead punch, and then repeatedly tied up and held Urango before he could fire back. Fight fans in attendance, particularly his loyal British followers were clearly hoping for a more entertaining bout, but to his credit, against a tough opponent, Hatton found a way to keep his undefeated record in tact (42-0, 30KO’s), win another world title, and set up a much anticipated fight with Mexican champion Jose Luis Castillo.
In the main undercard event, Mexico’s Jose Luis Castillo also did his part to keep a June showdown with Hatton, by earning a split decision victory over Cameroonian Herman Ngoudjo. Two judges scored the bout 115-113 for Castillo, with the 3rd judge seeing the close fight by the same score in favor of Ngoudjo.
Castillo’s unspectacular performance poses a few questions in regards to the former two-time WBC 135 pound champion’s ability to regain his elite status as a prize fighter. Ring rust could have been a factor as Castillo hadn’t fought in nearly a year since a lackluster win over Roland Reyes back in February of 2006. Now 33 years old, perhaps the wear and tear of 63 professional fights starting at the age of 15 has taken its toll as Castillo’s legs looked a bit unsteady at times.
His talented opponent certainly had much to do with Castillo having to gut out the narrow decision. The relatively inexperienced Ngoudjo (15-1, 9 KO’s) came out with a high guard and defensively minded in the first round and a half before deciding to effectively trade with Castillo and get a rise out of the crowd to finish up round 2.
Round 3 showcased the chiseled African’s infighting ability, getting the better of Castillo at his own game, despite Castillo landing 2 solid uppercuts to finish a close round. The midrounds were closely fought affairs, mostly on the inside with Castillo certainly not looking like the stronger fighter at his new 140 pound weight class, but showing his versatile attack to the body and head.
Ngoudjo, now residing in Montreal, Canada, changed tactics and decided to fight from far outside in round eight, perhaps having had enough infighting with someone who’s infighting skills were honed as a longtime sparring partner for Mexican legend Julio Cesar Chavez.
Castillo came on strong as he so often does during the championship rounds to ensure the victory over a superbly conditioned and talented opponent. Ngoudjo used his faster hand speed to occasionally flurry before tying up the seasoned “El Temible†, but it wasn’t enough to sway the judges in the biggest fight of his young career. Castillo improved his record to 55-7-1 (47KO’s), while giving himself the opportunity to capture another world title against Hatton, come early summertime in Las Vegas.
In the evening’s opening bout, Matthew Hatton put the British crowd in the right mood with a comprehensive beating and TKO victory over American Frank Houghtaling, forcing the American’s corner to throw in the towel at the end of the 7th round.
Ricky’s younger brother came into the bout in fantastic shape, and consistently found a home for the right hand, once putting the experienced Houghtaling (19-13, 4KO’s) down in the fourth round. The light-hitting 33 year old Albany, NY resident was simply overmatched against his younger, stronger opponent. With the victory, Matthew Hatton improved his record to 30-3-1(12KO’s) and captured the vacant IBF International Welterweight Title.
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Ricky Hatton Vs Juan Urango Boxing Undercard
correct at time of printing
Jose Luis Castillo vs Herman Ngoudjo
Nicky Smedley vs TBA
Matthew Hatton Vs TBA
Urango Hatton Boxing News
Boxing News of Ricky Hatton, Juan Urango from around the internet brought to you by the saddoboxing.com news wire…