By Steven Ocallaghan: Ricky Hatton, arguably one of the best boxers and fighters to come out of Britain is possibly returning to the ring after a 3 year lay off. Hatton had a lot of tough fights in his twenties but is now back on the fitness trail and looking pretty healthy.
Paulie Malignaggi has offered him a straight road to the title but realistically he is nowhere near that yet, even in his prime he struggled in some fights in the latter rounds but that was mainly due the the extreme weight loss Hatton had to endure to make weight in fights.
One of the best performances I ever witnessed by a British fighter was in June 2005 when Kostya Tszyu came over to defend his title but couldn’t cope with the sustained pressure from Hatton. He moved up in weight to fight Luis Collazo but struggled to a close decision. If he can get himself anyway near the condition he was in when he beat Tszyu, Castillo who he TKO’d in the fourth or for the Malignaggi fight he might find himself once more a champion again.
This time for Hatton it’s not about the money, it’s about repairing the damage done from his last fight against Pacman. He put up a good show against Floyd Mayweather Jr. but for an over zealous referee who seemed intent in trying to be the star of the show, the result might have been different. Just might have, not necessarily would have.
I for one will be cheering Hatton on, a lot of great night had been had taking in the Hatton experience and he never let anybody down, possibly just himself in his last match.
Does money mean more than titles
The rumours are that Kelly Pavlik might be challenging Carl Froch for his IBF super middleweight world title in November. Pavlik, a good fighter but hasn’t looked the same since being schooled by Bernard Hopkins a few years back. He has had his problems out of the ring as well but seams now back on the right track.
Pavlik’s succession of wins against up and coming fighters has put him back in the running for a title shot, but up and comers might not be enough to prepare for the Cobra. Froch has never ducked anybody, fighting all the top contenders and impressed very much in defeating Lucian Bute.
Some writers think Froch roughed Bute up, slightly bending the rules, but boxing is not ballet, nor is it a kissing contest. Froch’s direct come at you style will overpower the game but limited Pavlik, if the fight takes place.
It seams Pavlik is holding out for a lot more money. He has been offered a healthy amount as challenger but thinks he deserves more. Money and fame come with titles. If he takes the fight and wins then all will be sorted but is he willing to take that chance?
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