By Sean McDaniel: In a bit of boxing news that many will find somewhat shocking, the BBC is reporting that Floyd Mayweather Jr. has approached Ricky Hatton’s management about a potential rematch in 2009. However, Hatton is currently in negotiations with Manny Pacquiao for a fight in 2009, but they are also are reportedly interested in a fight with Mayweather as well. Hatton, though, is more interested in facing Pacquiao, who recently destroyed Oscar De La Hoya in a humiliating 8th round stoppage on December 6th.
Why Mayweather would be interested in a rematch with Hatton, a fighter that he easily defeated by a 10th round TKO in December 6th, seems to be a real curiosity. It would seem, at least to me, that there would be nothing gained by going over old ground, and that Mayweather would be much better off going after Pacquiao, the guy now considered by many to be the best overall fighter in all of boxing.
Indeed, many people had assumed that Mayweather, if he ever was going to come out of his year-long retirement, he would do it to face Pacquiao. After all, Pacquiao made De La Hoya look really bad, whereas Mayweather had to dig deep to eek out a close decision over De La Hoya in 2007. Like with Hatton, Mayweather would have a considerable size advantage over Pacquiao, unlike in his fight with Oscar in 2007.
Hatton, 30, has previously made no secret about wanting a rematch with Mayweather so as to try and gain revenge for his mostly one-sided thumping from him. It’s hard to tell how the outcome would be any different next time around, because Mayweather dominated him so thoroughly. Perhaps one thing that Hatton has going for him is that Mayweather would have a year’s worth of ring rust due to his short retirement, but that’s hardly a long time. In fact, Mayweather may be even more dangerous because the time off has allowed him to restore his energy, saving him from needless punishment and will make him even more effective in the ring.
It’s unclear whether or not Hatton will choose to face Mayweather at this time, because Pacquiao is the hot fighter now, and Hatton has an opponent that he has a good chance at beating. In the case of Mayweather, that’s a lot more murkier given his failed attempt last year against him. It would seem like the smarter thing for Hatton to do would be to face Pacquiao. That is, if Mayweather doesn’t beat him to it. Pacquiao, now a lightweight, would be a lot closer to Hatton’s size, making it much easier for him than a fight with the larger Mayweather, who last fought as a welterweight.
In their previous bout, Hatton had to move up to the welterweight class to challenge Mayweather, something that put the small-framed Hatton at a distinct disadvantage. That, obviously, would be something that Hatton would have to work out with Mayweather if there were to be a rematch, because Ricky looked uncomfortable fighting at the larger 147 pound weight limit.
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