Alvarez vs. Hatton, But Ryan Rhodes deserves it

By Boxing News - 02/17/2011 - Comments

Image: Alvarez vs. Hatton, But Ryan Rhodes deserves itBy Mark Hepplestall: The recently Vacated WBC junior middleweight title will be contested by EBU welterweight champion Matthew Hatton (41-4-2, 16 KO’s) and 20-year-old Saul Alvarez (35-0-1, 26 KO’s) on March 5th at the Honda Center, in Anaheim, California. No doubt that Matthew Hatton has been on a recent resurgence in his career in the Welterweight division by winning 8 of his last 9 and the other being a draw against Lovemore N’dou that in reality could have gone either way, let’s just say the lack of a rematch for IBO welterweight title say many things. Saul is a great prospect beating N’dou in his previous fight, other than that fight and one against Baldomir, they are clearly his toughest opposition and very clearly out of their prime

So does Matthew Hatton who has fought mostly at Welterweight deserve a shot at the WBC junior Middleweight title? Well to be honest, no because he hasn’t fought many if any fights at this weight limit and it seems Hatton is just a name to put on the CV of a future great fighter. Does Saul Alvarez deserve a title shot, well he has earned more of a shot then Matthew has at this weight limit and is listed at 8th in the world rankings for this division.

But more importantly is there a more qualified boxer to fight for the title? The answer is yes, maybe Yuri Foreman deserves it or Vanes Martirosyan deserves it. But the Number one contender for the title is British boxer Ryan Rhodes (45-4-0 KO 31) and even though he sports four losses on his record all of those losses were competitive and in the Middleweight division. Since moving to the Light Middleweight division Rhodes has looked stronger, bigger and as skilful as ever. At this weight Rhodes uses great one punch power and combines it with great combinations to cause devastating KO’s, Rhodes 10 match unbeaten run, and the fact he is undefeated at light middleweight has propelled him to number 6 in the world which in theory makes him more deserving then both Saul and Matthew. Key fights to look at if you’re not sure about Rhodes include 7th round TKO of Jamie Moore, 2nd round KO of Rocky Junior, and brilliant 9th round one punch KO of Gary Woolcombe.

Recently Rhodes was on a shortlist of fighters to fight for the title and included a possible match up against Antonio Margarito but was overlooked for Manny Pacquiao due to the more money the WBC could make from that bout. Possibly after this bout if the winner decides to defend it they could do the right thing and give the dangerous number 1 contender a shot at the title, unfortunately I doubt that will happen has Saul is too inexperienced for a durable and dangerous boxer such as Rhodes and Hatton would be terribly outclassed against the bigger Rhodes.



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