By William Mackay: While pretty much the entire boxing world sees the March 5th clash between Matthew Hatton (41-4-2, 16 KO’s) and Saul Alvarez (35-0-1, 26 KO’s) as a hopelessly one-sided fight, the 29-year-old Hatton doesn’t feel that way. He thinks he’s going to win this fight, which will be taking place at the Honda Center, in Anaheim, California.
In an article at the sportinglife.co.uk, Hatton said “He’s [Alvarez] a good all rounder. He can fight, he can box, he’s obviously got a lot of power. He’s a strong guy but like any other fighter he’s got weaknesses. I’m a seasoned fighter. I feel as if physically and mentally I’m coming into my peak and producing the best form of my career. At this moment in our careers, I feel I’ll be more than a match for him.”
Hatton is clearly at his best right now, with wins over Yuriy Nuzhnenko, Gianluca Branco and Roberto Belge in the past year. Hatton should have picked up a win over Lovemore N’dou in 2009, but had to settle for a controversial 12 round draw. However, even being at his best, Hatton may have problems with the power of the young 20-year-old Alvarez. Hatton hasn’t faced anyone with the kind of power that Alvarez possesses and this is why you really have to question whether Hatton will be able to hang in there long with the huge power puncher. Hatton looked shaky at times in the N’dou and Nuzhnenko fights when hit hard. If he’s unable to take their big shots without getting a little shaken, you have to question how he’ll be able to handle Alvarez’s big punches and remain standing.
We also don’t know how Alvarez will be able handle Hatton’s boxing ability. Alvarez has been matched carefully since turning pro, and recently he’s been matched against better fighters, albeit older 39-year-olds in the form of Carlos Baldomir and N’dou. Alvarez won those fights, but we don’t know what he’ll do with Hatton, who can box and punch a little.
Comments are closed.