Hatton vs. Marquez: Redemption

By Shaun Mcnally: Firstly, there are a lot of people including myself that say this fight shouldn’t happen. To be totally honest, Ricky Hatton fans do not want to see him anywhere near a ring again unless his has a microphone occupying his hand instead of a boxing glove. He can swap the tasseled shorts, for a promoters suit. Hatton Promotions are showing there 3rd show tonight on Sky Sports, the main event: the Commonwealth 154 pound title match-up between champion Anthony Small and challenger Thomas McDonagh.

Previously the main events have included new European middleweight champion Matthew Macklin, and Ricky’s younger brother Matthew. Boxing fans on the other hand may want to see Hatton get back in there for one last tear up.

Marquez on the other hand has shown no signs of hanging up his gloves, despite turning 36 last August. The wars this warrior has been in have thrilled thousands, and many still to this day argue that he beat current pound for pound king Manny Pacquiao. But still some question lay answered about him. Does he still have the punch resistance? It is a little surprising that people are worried about the long-term damage that Ricky Hatton could sustain, but no one has said that about Marquez. After all Marquez has had more fight than Hatton (often referred to as “The Manchester Mexican”), he’s probably taken more punishment than the Hitman, and been knocked down more times. The only serious beatings Hatton has taken are at the hands of Mayweather, Pacquiao and in his first appearance at welterweight against Luiz Collazo.

Marquez has had some more damaging fights. Manny Pacquiao and Marquez traded punches for 24 rounds. Marquez faced Juan Diaz who caught him with some impressive shots. Marquez was unfortunately dominated by the simply brilliant Floyd Mayweather. It was clear in that fight Marquez wasn’t a welterweight, and even looked as if light-welterweight would be a step too far. But there’s no way the proud Mexican would want to finish a glorious career on a loss, especially when it was not at his natural weight.

The same can be said for Hatton. He has said he doesn’t want to finish his also impressive career lying on his back. The same questions can be said about the Hitman though. Whether the punch resistance has eroded due to having to lose up to four stone during training camps. Billy Graham, Hatton’s former trainer and friend said he could see Ricky didn’t look good on the scales prior to the Pacquiao fight. There was definitely something not quite right. He also stated had he been training Hatton, the last time he would have allowed Ricky to get in the ring was against pitter-patter puncher Paulie Malignaggi.

Should the fight happen, there are some questions to be asked. Where does the winner go? Where does the loser go? Rarely to fights retire contently on a loss. Oscar De La Hoya could do it. Micky Ward could do it. But there’s always those fighters who take one or two fights too many. Will Marquez grow old over night? Did Hatton’s punishment at the hands of Pacquiao bring the curtains down on one of the most popular boxers of all time (35 thousand people went to Hatton vs Mayweather)? The world awaits a decision an announcement, which in most peoples opinion will result in neither fighter having to take anymore unnecessary punishment.

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