Hatton to turn down fight with Erik Morales – News
April 9th, 2010
By Sean McDaniel: Former International Boxing Federation and WBA welterweight champion Ricky Hatton (45-2, 32 KO’s) is being offered a fight with Mexican boxing star Erik Morales (49-6, 34 KO’s), according to the Manchestereveningnews. It seems that Golden Boy Promotions is eager to put Hatton in with the aging Morales, who recently staged a comeback last month beating Jose Alfaro by a 12 round decision after having been away from boxing for three years.
In choosing the 33-year-old Morales instead of a younger fighter like Amir Khan, who badly wants to fight Hatton, Golden Boy would be putting Hatton in a situation where he would easily find some initial success with his comeback before facing Marquez later in the year. Morales, once a slender, fit and highly talented fighter, looked nothing like his former self in beating Alfaro last month.
Indeed, Morales, a former super bantamweight, featherweight and super featherweight, fought Alfaro at welterweight and looked thick around the midsection with visible fat around his sides. Morales looked nothing like the fighter that beat Manny Pacquiao by a 12 round decision in 2005. Morales’ work rate has slowed down dramatically, and his hand speed has dropped off as well.
Although Morales ended up beating Alfaro by the scores of 117-111, 116-112 and 116-112, I had Alfaro winning the fight easily, nine rounds to three. The contrast between the youthful Alfaro and the older looking Morales was startling. Not only did outwork Morales by a wide margin in every round, but he also had the better energy, superior movement and cleaner landing shots.
Morales fought as if he was stuck in a pile of mud all night, just standing in one place and not throwing a lot of punches. It was surprising to me that Morales got the win given how dominating Alfaro looked in that fight. Hatton, if he was able to take off all the weight that he’s put on since being stopped in the 2nd round in his last fight a year ago by Pacquiao in May, should easily beat Morales if he were to have the desire to fight him.
Hatton would be the bigger and stronger fighter and would probably end up stopping Morales. Personally, I wouldn’t want Hatton to take the fight. He has nothing to prove and a fight against a thick-looking Morales would likely be panned by critics. If Hatton did make a comeback, he would be better off facing a younger guy that can fight a little.
It would look bad Hatton being served up Morales as fodder for him. An ideal opponent would be Khan, but it appears that Hatton doesn’t want to fight him for some reason. It would be a winnable fight because of Hatton’s power and Khan’s weak chin.
Tags: 10 Responses to “Hatton to turn down fight with Erik Morales – News”
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I think this would’ve been a smart move for Hatton even though it’s little reward. He’s been brutally KOd and needs to build his body and confidence back, so why not beat up on a name like Morales at 147 then fight Marquez at 144…would be a slugfest. If he’s able to add those names to his resume it’ll help setup a last hurrah against a young champ. If he goes right back in against a young fast fight he’ll get killed.
hopkins v jones, haye v ruiz, pac v clottey, khan v salita, holyfield v botha… wots next ali v frazier 4 zeus v heihachi???
boxing is seriously dying…all abt money, money, money… thts y i havent bought a ppv since chavez v taylor…
ps: khan wants to fight hatton badly??? no hes not y do u lie man yyyyyy?????
No contender should take a fight with this ageing Morales. We dont wanna support shot fighters, we dont want another RJJ here. Morales should be fighting 2nd-3rd tier guys and leave the big boys alone. Hatton looks out of shape (last time i saw him in the media) and should consider retiring, something Morales should also do. Both were entertaining fighters in their primes though.
Hatton should fight on to be the pint 4 pint champion of the world; best fighter to watch and raise your mug to! Come on Ricky, you’re half the world’s favorite fighter, just have some fun in the ring awhile before you hang it all up!
@ neiltoosweet
I agree that Khan is a pretty good boxer and was he to fight Zab i believe that Zab would beat him as Zab is faster and hits harder. If he caught Khan he would KO him…
The last thing you lose in boxing is power…
and for all you that think he aint got power!! ask Cotto, he said that he hits alot harder than mosley in one of his interviews (look it up)and we all know that Mosley has power, however should Khan last to round 7 Zab would be in trouble…
and also for you people saying Hattons lost it due to his ballooning up and down in weight are wrong, he aint lost it cause of that…he just aint got the hunger anymore as Bhop said ” its hard to stay hungry when your refridgaitors full”…he has made his cash and for that reason he aint hungry just like Naz…
1
Hatton will retire soon. Not fighting Morales.
lol zab was good, is good! but khan would literly smash him to bits, he wouldent get to test khans chin before khan busted zabs chin, then gnight all!
I reckon Hatton/Morales would be a mismatch, in Hattons favour. I do believe Hatton is not the same fighter he was 2 years ago. I could probably half understand if it was a send off for the fans because he’d end it with an almost certain win, but the feeling is if he took the fight, he’d look awesome and before you know it, his name would be up in lights in Vegas and another devastating loss could occur. Hatton was a great ambassador for British Sport on the whole and I feel that if he carries on too long, somebody who would not have been able to lace his gloves up 2-3 years ago, will take him on and beat him, Amir Khan for example. If Hatton is serious about a comeback though, he should have a tune up fight or two, then head for either Timothy Bradley or Devon Alexander, as they are the only 2 Light Welters who matter at the minute. We’ll see what happens, but Hatton/Morales is a big no-no for me, it reminds me of Khan/Barrera whereas they wouldn’t have both met if they were both in their prime.
NO NO NO and NO, both fighters in question are worth more than this, both in my eyes have been exciting and fantastic fighters to watch through their careers. However both need to hang up the gloves, they have nothing to prove and should enjoy retirement and the different avenues it brings. Morales is shot and so far removed from the once great fighter he was and Rickys lifestyle out of the ring has caught up with him and in the end it’s cost him dearly. I just don’t think he has anything left in him and sadly for him and us fans we need to accept it. There’s one of these type of fights taking place this weekend Holyfield v Botha, these fights just should not happen, Holyfields licence should never have been reissued, the guys a legend but if he keeps on fighting he’s going to get hurt, he’s already started hinting of the Klitschkos or Haye if he beats Botha, thats just madness!, but also sad because in his prime he’d of gone through all three.
Another Ricky Hatton post question well sorry for busing your bubble but Stop talking about a guy who’s about to retire, Hatton is not fighting anymore. Zab Judah wants a fight against Hatton or Morales and then a fight against JMM would do for a title shot. Zab will kill Khan in a title fight. Make the call to Zab Promoter if your not scared.