By Sean McDaniel: Fringe welterweight contender Matthew Hatton (37-4-2, 14 KO’s) says that he could be next up for unbeaten Floyd Mayweather Jr. in an article at the Daily Star. “Mayweather’s camp has been in touch about three times now. With the Pacquiao fight being called off now, it’s good news for me. My trainer was told by them I’m top of their list of opponents.”
Mayweather, 32, is badly in need of an opponent after his mega fight with World Boxing Organization welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao fell apart last week over the drug testing methods for the fight. Pacquiao appears to have already lined up an alternate opponent with former IBF welterweight champion Joshua Clottey for March, leaving Mayweather to still find his own opponent.
Former IBF light welterweight champion Paulie Malignaggi’s name was mentioned as someone that Mayweather had his eye on to fight, as was the case with Matthew Hatton, the younger brother of boxing star Ricky Hatton. Few boxing fans have understood what the attraction is for Mayweather in considering the younger Matthew Hatton, given that he’s more of a 2nd tier welterweight than a 1st tier, and has been beaten soundly a number of times in his career.
Mayweather could be angling to pick up more fans in the UK with perhaps the hope of taking on one of their biggest stars. Mayweather has already beaten Matthew Hatton’s brother Ricky, stopping him in the 10th round in December 2007.
It would be hard to imagine that Mayweather would want to go over old ground and fight a rematch with Hatton considering how one-sided the fight was the first time around. Anything is possible with Mayweather. He needs an opponent right now, and it’s unlikely he’ll want to take on anyone tough like a Timothy Bradley, Paul Williams or Sergio Martinez.
Matthew doesn’t understand why the Mayweather-Pacquiao fight fell through, saying “It’s ridiculous that Mayweather-Pacquiao is not on. It could be the biggest fight of all time. Blood tests are an important thing but, if it stands in the way of it happening, it would be a shame. I would do anything that Mayweather wanted. If you are clean and have got nothing to hide then you don’t let that get in the way.”
If Mayweather selects the younger Hatton to fight, it would be a dream come true for Matthew. Before this, he had few hopes of getting a big payday like the one he would receive in a fight with Mayweather. But now, Matthew has hope of getting a tremendous payday if Mayweather decides on fighting him.
Hatton is aware that Mayweather is better than him. “He’s [Mayweather] a level above me in terms of class but, in sport, upsets happen. And it only takes one punch in boxing.” Unfortunately, Matthew Hatton is a weak puncher and not known for his power. It would really take a perfect punch by him to get Mayweather out of there.
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