Would Hatton Be Better Off To Avoid Pacquiao?

07/16/2008 by Boxing News

By Francisco Chantengo: Light welterweight Ricky Hatton (44-1, 31 KOs) has been considering a future bout with WBC lightweight champion Manny Pacquiao (47-3-2, 35 KOs) for 2009, a fight which has attracted a lot of attention in the media. However, I wonder if it might be a better idea of Hatton, 29, to forget about a fight with Pacquiao, and focus more on just trying to defend his IBF light welterweight, if he should defeat champion Paulie Malignaggi in their November 22nd fight in Las Vegas, Nevada. There’s nothing with Hatton fighting Pacquiao, since it would probably be an appealing fight for most boxing fans, but I’m thinking more for Hatton’s own welfare. If had more speed, movement or overall boxing ability, I would be all for him taking on Pacquiao.

In fact, I’d be the first one pushing for him to take the bout with the Filipino boxing star. However, I’ve seen Pacquiao fight many times, and after watching him methodically dismantle former WBC lightweight champion David Diaz in a terribly one-sided 9th round beating last month in June, I give Hatton no chance of beating Pacquiao. In fact, not only will Hatton lose to Pacquiao, but he’ll also take a horrendous beating, one even worse and more humiliating than his defeat to Floyd Mayweather Jr. in December 2007.

Ricky Hatton Won’t Be Quitting After All

07/08/200807/08/2008 by Boxing News

By Nate Anderson: According to Setanta Sports, Ricky Hatton (44-1, 31 KOs) has come out saying that he won’t be hanging up his gloves just yet, although he is on the downward stretch of his career. Previous to this announcement, Hatton, 29, had been quoted as saying that he would only be fighting twice more – against Paulie Malignaggi and Manny Pacquiao – and then retiring from boxing altogether.

This announcement, naturally, was met with a lot of confusion and anger from the boxing fans, who felt that Hatton was selling himself short by getting out of the sport at such an early date in his career considering that he’s still fighting quite well, and has many other options available to him than just the Pacquiao and Malignaggi. Indeed, in the case of the Malignaggi bout, Hatton would be doing him a great disservice if this was one of his last two fights, because he could do much better than this.

Is Ricky Hatton a Quitter?

07/07/2008 by Boxing News

By Michael Lieberman: Former welterweight/light welterweight champion Ricky Hatton (44-1, 31 KOs) has said he’ll be only fighting two more times, against Paulie Malignaggi in November, and then against probably Manny Pacquiao after that, and then get out of boxing for good. What kind of message is that for the younger generation? I don’t about you, but that reminds of somewhat of the mentality of a quitter if you ask me. It’s the timing of Hatton’s announcement that gets me, since he’s now finding himself having to struggle for the first time in his boxing career because he’s no longer being spoon fed one easy opponent after another in Manchester, and, of course, he’s going to have some problems against better fighters.

As far as I can tell, Hatton seems to be running from the better fighters that he would now, whether he beats Malignaggi or not in November, be expected to face. In a way, I suppose this is Hatton’s way of getting out of boxing before he gets planted over and over against the top of the light welterweight, fighters like Timothy Bradley, Junior Witter, Lamont Peterson, Kendall Holt, Devon Alexander and even Gavin Rees.

Ricky Hatton: Why Only Two More Fights?

07/05/2008 by Boxing News

By Michael Lieberman: Former light welterweight champion Ricky Hatton claimed yesterday that he plans on fighting only twice more, against IBF light welterweight champion Paulie Malignaggi, and then against either Manny Pacquiao or Oscar De La Hoya, then he plans on getting out of boxing and retiring immediately after those two fights. According to the BBC, the 29 year-old Hatton feels that it’s time to get out of the sport, that he doesn’t want to “go on forever.” He hasn’t said whom he prefers to fight, Pacquiao or De La Hoya, but if one were to guess, it would probably be the Golden Boy, Oscar De La Hoya, arguably more popular than Pacquiao in the U.S. and in Europe.

However, with so many big fights out there for Hatton, it seems curious that he would choose this time to get out of boxing, just when there are so many options available to him. In a way, it reminds me of Joe Calzaghe and Floyd Mayweather Jr., both of whom hit it big in boxing, making a ton of cash, and then while still at the peak of their game, they both decide to fold up the tent and get out.

Malignaggi: “He [Hatton] Can’t Take A Punch”

06/19/2008 by Boxing News

By Manuel Perez: According to a recent interview on boxingtalk.com, IBF light welterweight champion Paulie Malignaggi has this to say about former champion Ricky Hatton: “He cannot take a punch. To the head to the body, I’ve been saying this for years he cannot take a punch and that’s why he fights the way he does.” Malignaggi went on to say that the reason that Hatton tends to hold so much is that he is prevent his opponents from getting as much as power on their shots so as to avoid getting hurt.

To top it off, Malignaggi later on said that he wouldn’t be surprised that he knocks Hatton out, which seems somewhat odd considering that Malignaggi isn’t known for having much power to speak of. However, if there’s one thing that Hatton seems to have problems with is handling punches that he doesn’t see coming at him. For instance, in his fight with Floyd Mayweather Jr. in December 2007, it was a lightning fast left hook that hurt Hatton in the 10th round, sending him bouncing off the corner protective padding and falling to the canvas. A short while later, Hatton was obliterated by a flurry of speedy shots from Mayweather, many of which were far too fast for Hatton to attempt block. With Malignaggi, his speed is almost as good as Mayweather, maybe a shade or two slower if that.

Hatton To Fight Malignaggi In November, Denies Rumor Of Pacquiao Bout

06/18/2008 by Boxing News

By Eric Thomas: As much as boxing fans and writers alike would like to see light welterweight Ricky Hatton (44-1, 31 KOs) face pound-for-pound boxing great Manny Pacquiao (46-3-2, 35 KOs) in November, that idea was quashed yesterday when Hatton came out and said that he won’t be fighting Pacquiao in November, and had never said that he was going to be fighting him. Instead, Hatton will carry as usual with his plans to challenge IBF light welterweight champion Paulie Malignaggi for his title in November, a bout that has so far has done little to interest most boxing fans.

Earlier in the day on Tuesday, there was a report from the Manilla Bulletin, which stated that Malignaggi would be paid by the Hatton camp to step aside temporarily, and let Hatton take what will likely be the more appealing bout against Pacquiao in November. However, Hatton’s lawyer shot that idea down quickly yesterday, saying in effect that Hatton is under contract for a bout against Malignaggi in November and won’t be veering from that course to fight Pacquiao.

Hatton vs. Pacquiao For November, Malignaggi To Step Aside?

06/17/2008 by Boxing News

By Eric Thomas: In the latest boxing news, there is talk of former light welterweight champion Ricky Hatton facing Manny Pacquiao in November in Las Vegas. According to the Manilla Bulletin website, Top Rank’s promoter Bob Arum is talks with Bob Schaefer of Golden Boy about the possibility of a November fight between Hatton and Pacquiao. Of course, for this to happen it would mean that Paulie Malignaggi, the IBF light welterweight champion and the one that Hatton is scheduled to fight in November for his title, would have to agree to step aside and let the Hatton-Pacquiao take place.

Even if Malignaggi would agree on such a thing, which is still debatable, it would likely take a substantial feel for him to do such a thing. After all, Hatton, who hasn’t looked good in quite some time with a loss to Floyd Mayweather Jr. and a poor showing in his most recent bout against Juan Lazcano, might very well lose to Pacquiao if they were to actually fight. That would leave Malignaggi with a greatly diminished bout since boxing fans would probably have less interest in seeing Hatton face Malignaggi if he were to lose to Pacquiao, and the cry would likely be for an immediate rematch between Hatton and Pacquiao, thus further causing Malignaggi to even more.

Pacquiao vs. Hatton: Is This a Sporting Fight?

06/11/2008 by Boxing News

By Jim Dower: After watching Ricky Hatton struggle against Juan Lazcano, looking good at times and appearing a little washed up as a fighter at other times, I wonder whether Hatton should opt for a fight against super featherweight Manny Pacquiao. First of all, I don’t think it’s a fight that Hatton could win at this point in his career judging by his recent performances against Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Lazcano, fights which seemed to indicate that Hatton was on the downside of his career. Most importantly, however, is the question of fairness.

Pacquaio Interested In Hatton Bout

06/10/2008 by Boxing News

By Scott Gilfoid: In the ultimate in overreach on his part, WBC super featherweight champion Manny Pacquiao (46-3-2, 35 KOs) is reportedly interested in a bout with light welterweight former champion Ricky Hatton (43-1, 31 KOs) in the near future. First, however, Pacquiao has to deal with WBC lightweight champion David Diaz, with whom Pacquiao is scheduled to fight later this month on June 28th, at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino, in Las Vegas, Nevada. That in itself will be a rather difficult task for the 29 year-old Pacquiao in that he’s moving up five pounds in weight to fight Diaz at the 135 pound lightweight class.

If, however, Pacquiao can get by Diaz, then there’s a chance for to arrange a fight with Hatton, if he’s interested. According to reports, Ricky’s father has said that they’re interested in the idea, though a lot of this also hinges on whether Ricky is successful in his upcoming bout with IBF light welterweight champion Paulie Malignaggi later on this year. Pacquiao is said to be willing to fight wherever Hatton wants, even if it means having to travel all the way to England and fight in front of Hatton’s often loud Manchester crowd. Pacquiao, it seems, is willing to take the risk in order to get the biggest payday of his career by far.

Hatton Not Interested in De La Hoya Bout In September

06/09/2008 by Boxing News

By Eric Thomas: In the latest boxing news, former light welterweight champion Ricky Hatton (44-1, 31 KOs) is reportedly not interested in a bout with 6-weight world champion Oscar De La Hoya (39-5, 30 KOs) in September, so says Hatton’s father, Ray, according to the BBC. Apparently, Hatton feels that the bout is too soon after Ricky Hatton’s recent defeat of Juan Lazcano, a fight that took place two weeks ago and turned out to be a much tougher fight than Hatton has probably expected it would be.

Hatton has a scheduled bout with IBF light welterweight champion Paulie Malignaggi in November, and that’s the fight that Hatton has his mind on. At the same time, Hatton’s father is holding out hope that Floyd Mayweather Jr. may come out of retirement, which is the fight that Ricky really wants bad because of his prior 10-round TKO loss to Mayweather in December 2007. Hatton badly wants to avenge the defeat, according to sources, because he felt that he didn’t fight at his optimal level in that bout.