By Jim Dower: Former International Boxing Federation light welterweight champion Ricky Hatton (44-1, 31 KO’s) will be stepping foot in the ring with his lightest puncher in ages when he takes on former IBF light welterweight champion Paulie Malignaggi (25-1, 5 KOs) on November 22nd at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
Hatton, 30, is looking to make a good showing against Malignaggi, as well grab a nice paycheck, against the light-hitting, defensive-oriented Malignaggi.
The fight poses a contrasting difference in fighting styles, in which Hatton, the brawler, will be going after Malignaggi, much more of a boxer who relies on movement, jabs and counter punching to foil his opponents’ attacks. The fight, which has no real title on the line, is more of a popularity contest rather than a true bout between the two best light welterweights in the division. Malignaggi is a good fighter, having won the IBF title against Lovemore N’dou in a 12-round unanimous decision in June 2007.
However, that fight was quickly followed by two successive controversial decision victories over challengers Herman Ngoudjo an d N’dou, both of which Malignaggi appeared to lose to, taking away much of Malignaggi’s glamour. In reviewing both fighters, an argument could be made that Malignaggi left unfinished business in both cases and probably should have given both Ngoudjo and N’dou and immediate rematch to try and prove that he was in fact the better fighter.
Unfortunately, Malignaggi didn’t, and is now going into his November 22nd fight with Hatton with slightly tarnished because of it. In truth, this is a fight that is about as interesting as Joe Calzaghe’s recent hand picking of Roy Jones Jr. as an opponent rather than going after the much more dangerous light heavyweight Chad Dawson.
In Hatton’s case, he appears to be taking the safe route by fighting Malignaggi, as there are arguably much better fighters in the light welterweight division, starting with World Boxing Council champion Timothy Bradley and World Boxing Association title holder Andreas Kotelnik. Both, however, are very dangerous opponents for a slugger like Hatton, due to their speed and power advantages that they would have over him.
Plus, both move well and have good jabs, much like Floyd Mayweather Jr., and would likely give Hatton fits if he were to fight them. Beyond them, there’s Junior Witter who I also rate as a superior fighter than Malignaggi. However, Hatton, for some odd reason, refuses to fight Witter. As dangerous as he is, I guess I can’t blame Hatton for avoiding him.
It’s not a nice feeling to lose. That’s a feeling that Hatton won’t likely have to face against light-hitting Malignaggi, who because of his lack of power, is the perfect opponent for Hatton to look good against. It’s unfortunate that Hatton is choosing to take on Malignaggi rather than Bradley, Kotelnik or Witter, because a fight against either one of them would be a guaranteed crowd pleaser for boxing fans.
I’m can’t say the same thing for Hatton’s upcoming fight against Malignaggi. That one has mismatch written all over it, and I think Malignaggi will be lucky if he can make it past the 6th round.
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