hatton v mayweather

[kinboshi]

http://www.gulf-daily-news.com/Story.asp?Article=194916&Sn=SPOR&IssueID=30189

Good article

Floyd Mayweather is widely considered as the best pound-for-pound boxer in the world today. Undefeated. An enduring world champion. An accomplished ring warrior.

That being said, he has the right to call his own shots. At this point in his career, he has the ultimate say on who, where and when to fight - and when to retire.

Like the proverbial 800-pound gorilla that sleeps wherever and whenever it chooses, Mayweather can fight or not according to his own timetable. Because of his glowing reputation as an undefeated world champion in at least six weight divisions, Mayweather is free to do what he wants.

In fact, after conquering Oscar De La Hoya to capture the World Boxing Council (WBC) 147-pound welterweight title last May, he already announced his retirement though few in boxing circles believe him.

Since then, there have been nagging questions going on as to whether Mayweather still wants to box. Then he made it clear: He is not ready to retire just yet.

An attractive world title fight with Ricky Hatton - the pride of Britain - proved enough of a lure that brought the American jaw-cracker back in the ring.

Their December 8 bout at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas should go down as one of the biggest today, and one of the richest in boxing history. It is, however, far more than money and fame.

So what would a fight be like between Mayweather and Hatton?

Well, it sounds so entertaining yet so dangerous.

Mayweather is in his prime and Hatton should be at his peak.

For Mayweather, it's about legacy. This could possibly be his one last fight before hanging up his history-coated gloves for good. And he wants to leave the sport as an undisputed world champion.

Mayweather is a polished prizefighter with a slick style. Supremely confident. Fighting a smart fight. He's so ferocious.

His talent is so impressive that when you watch him fight, it is hard to fathom that anyone can possibly beat him.

And so if Hatton beats Mayweather, it would make him the world's best - no questions asked.

Certainly, the fame from this fight would be half the push the British fighter needs to build his own monarchy.

Hatton, who dominates the 140-pound division, knows that for him to become the best fighter on the planet today, and join the elite list of all-time greats in the future, the first big step is to take risks.

Well, obviously, anytime you're fighting a guy as dangerous as Mayweather, there's a real risk.

And another risk: Hatton is jumping up from 140 pounds to 147 pounds to meet Mayweather in the roped ring.

While it is seven pounds more than Hatton's optimum weight as a junior welterweight, 147 is Mayweather's weight class - and his virtual slaughterhouse.

Like Mayweather, Hatton is undefeated. Unlike Mayweather, he fights in a wild, all-out style. Mayweather is a pure boxer while Hatton is a brawler.

Hatton is a pit bull in boxing trunks who loves to break down his opponents with a relentless head and body attack.

With his sheer energy, Hatton can bully his opponents around the ring. He can punch from any direction, and has quickness in his hands that could give Mayweather fits.

However, Mayweather is on the top of a mountain named Mt Talent. His footwork is graceful. He has speed. He has punching power. He punches so fast. Clearly, he is faster than Hatton.

Mayweather is durable, strong and possesses one of the hardest barrage of punches in his division. He defends his head and body well. And his uses his head to outbox his opponents. He also has high stamina. It seems the man never tires out.

Still, the equally deadly Hatton has a good chance to beat him, especially if Mayweather suddenly loses the appetite to win.

Ultimately, Hatton will have his hands full to match up with Mayweather.

So the boxing world is buzzing with anticipation that the 12-round title bout between two fighters with spotless records will be a super fight.

This will put either Mayweather or Hatton over the top of the boxing world and into everybody's memories as a boxer you tell your kids about. This fight will be history.

[AdamM]

good article.

[Nem]

Mayweather to stop him easily?  Based on what?

based on the hype

What hype Adam? Maywether is a world champion at five different weights, unbeaten, rarely gets hit - he's nearly the perfect boxer!

He will be classed as an 'all time great' maybe the best ever.

[AdamM]

of course he's an accomplished boxer and will certainly go down as an all time great. "Best pound for pound boxer" is rhetoric. It's a meaningless statement that can never be proven, because he can't fight heavyweights, or bantam weights.

Also, I've said before, boxers / fighters aren't machines that can be ranked in a definite way. fighters capabilities change second by second, not year by year.

If Hatton is in the right place mentally on dec 8th he definitely has the tools to beat mayweather. people who think he'll get destroyed are looking at boxers like top trump cards

[kinboshi]

Mayweather to stop him easily?  Based on what?

based on the hype

What hype Adam? Maywether is a world champion at five different weights, unbeaten, rarely gets hit - he's nearly the perfect boxer!

He will be classed as an 'all time great' maybe the best ever.

Which other top class fighters has Mayweather stopped easily?

[AdamM]

Gatti
totally different fighter to Hatton

[kinboshi]

Gatti
totally different fighter to Hatton

Gatti wasn't world class when Mayweather got to him.  Very good still, but the Ward trilogy had taken a lot out of him.  Baldomir and Gomez would have had harder tasks against him when he was at his best.  As would Mayweather (who'd have still won, and probably convincingly).

[Nem]

Mayweather to stop him easily?  Based on what?

based on the hype

What hype Adam? Maywether is a world champion at five different weights, unbeaten, rarely gets hit - he's nearly the perfect boxer!

He will be classed as an 'all time great' maybe the best ever.

Which other top class fighters has Mayweather stopped easily?

Mayweather is the ultimate boxer not fighter. He will box Ricky and win quite comfortably.

[AdamM]

Mayweather is definitely a boxer. Hatton is a boxer AND a fighter and he will give Mayweather a very tough time. I said before I accept Mayweather goes into the fight as favourite, but far narrower than most insist.

[kinboshi]

Mayweather to stop him easily?  Based on what?

based on the hype

What hype Adam? Maywether is a world champion at five different weights, unbeaten, rarely gets hit - he's nearly the perfect boxer!

He will be classed as an 'all time great' maybe the best ever.

Which other top class fighters has Mayweather stopped easily?

Mayweather is the ultimate boxer not fighter. He will box Ricky and win quite comfortably.

That's very different to saying he will stop him easily though, as has been asserted previously (by bolty).

[bolt pp]

Mayweather to stop him easily?  Based on what?

based on the hype

What hype Adam? Maywether is a world champion at five different weights, unbeaten, rarely gets hit - he's nearly the perfect boxer!

He will be classed as an 'all time great' maybe the best ever.

Which other top class fighters has Mayweather stopped easily?

Mayweather is the ultimate boxer not fighter. He will box Ricky and win quite comfortably.

Exactly

[scotty2hatty]

Exactly wrong. There is no way Mayweather wins this comfortably.

[kinboshi]

There is also no way he stops Hatton easily.

[thediceman]

Mayweather is the ultimate boxer not fighter. He will box Ricky and win quite comfortably.

Don Currie was regarded as the best pound for pound boxer on the plant and everybody thought he would comfortably win against Lloyd Honeyghan.

[kinboshi]

Mayweather is the ultimate boxer not fighter. He will box Ricky and win quite comfortably.

Don Currie was regarded as the best pound for pound boxer on the plant and everybody thought he would comfortably win against Lloyd Honeyghan.

What a night that was!!!  One of the best fights I've ever seen.  Pure brilliant.

As an aside, they're lining up Dida to face either Julius Francis or Audrey Harrison...