By Shaun Campbell: Current European champion Matthew Hatton (42-4-1 16KO’s) has been getting a fair bit of undeserved criticism for his upcoming bout against undefeated Mexico’s Golden Boy, Saul Alvarez (35-0-1 26KO’s). Many people are saying this is a mismatch, with Hatton out of his depth, saying that Alvarez will be too good and too strong.
There is no doubt in Matthew Hatton’s mind that he has the ability and desire to cause one of the biggest upsets in recent British boxing history. But obviously, he will enter this fight as the underdog.
Alvarez, 20 has managed to fit in 36 fights in his short time in professional boxing, and is possibly one of the biggest prospects in boxing right now, but Hatton is in the form of his life and looking to stamp his authority on the world stage. Alvarez is quickly growing too big for the 147 pound weight limit and will likely have to bid for his first world title at light-middleweight. The Manchester man however is targeting WBA champion Viacheslav Senchenko, and it’s possibly that win or lose, Hatton will still get a shot at the world title. But it’s not about that for the European champ, he wants the big fights to prove himself.
People should not be criticizing Matthew saying he doesn’t deserve this fight, but it will be Alvarez’s toughest test so far. Also people seem to be forgetting that in the current state of boxing, which is dominated by politics and promoters, rarely do we see a fighter as brave as Hatton. He has come out and said he will face anyone out there. In the past he has been disappointed when proposed bouts against Winky Wright, Zab Judah, and even Floyd Mayweather never materialized. But this fight is the big one for Matthew Hatton. It’s his chance to become a house hold name both in Britain and America.
Win or lose those Hatton must be commended for having the heart to take on someone like Alvarez, and only good things can come of this fight. It’s win win for Matthew, but its the win on his record he’ll be looking for.
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