by Dylan Payne
"There's only one Ricky Hatton,
One Ricky Hatton,
Walking along,
Singing this song,
Walking in a Hatton wonderland."
That is the cheer that will be sung by the Brits on May 2nd when their beloved Ricky Hatton steps into the ring at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas to take on the world's number one ranked boxer, Manny Pacquiao. The fight will take place in the junior welterweight division(140 pounds) where Hatton is recognized as the champ. Hatton comes into this fig+ht sporting a 45-1 record, his only loss coming to Floyd Mayweather Jr. in 2007. Pacquiao comes in with a 48-3 record and is coming off the biggest win of his career, an 8 round destruction of Oscar De La Hoya, a fight that sent De La Hoya into retirement. This fight will feature the strength and power of Hatton versus the lightning quick speed of Manny Pacquiao.
After losing to Floyd Mayweather Jr., Ricky Hatton called on the assitance of his father, Floyd Sr. to fine tune his game. The switch paid off and in Hatton's first fight with Sr., he looked like a much more technical fighter instead of just a brawler. Floyd Sr. worked on Hatton's defense, something he will desperately need in order to stop the quick punches of Pacquiao. Pacquiao has been training with world renowned trainer, and Massachusetts native, Freddie Roach in Los Angeles. Although neither fighter has trashed talked one another out of respect, the same can't be said for the trainers. Never known to be a quiet one, Floyd Mayweather Sr. refers to Pacquiao's trainer as Freddie "the joke coach" Roach, trying to hype this fight to a huge pay day. This should be, and in my opinion, will be the fight of the year and should bring fireworks. In order for Hatton to win he will need to stop himself from reverting to his old brawler form, and use the technical skills Mayweather has taught him along with his brute strength and power. The Pac Man has brought down many men with his speed but I think Hatton will be able to overcome it with his power and the people of Manchester will rejoice in the streets as their beloved son will come home as the top ranked boxer in the world.
Brett M. Rhyne
ReplyDeleteWho says boxing's not a sport?
Dylan, this is a great subject for a post and you did a great job. Thanks. I'm a little confused, though: if Floyd Jr. is still fighting, why is Floyd Sr. coaching his rival, Hatton? And if Mayweather beat Hatton in 2007, did he become champ? What happened to the belt?
Dylan Payne
ReplyDeleteFloyd Sr. and Jr. had a falling out about 9 years ago and don't really talk anymore. Floyd Sr. has trained a couple of Jr.'s rivals, but never when they face his son, he refuses to do so. The fight against Floyd Mayweather Jr. was at a higher weight class for Mayweather's title, so Hatton never lost his belt at the 140 pound division. And Floyd Jr. actually retired about a year ago. Just like every other boxer though he's already attempted a comeback and might very well fight the winner of this fight.