Ricky Hatton set to wait for rematch
The Mancunian is likely to be told that until he has won at least three fights at light-welterweight he can forget about Floyd Mayweather Jr.
Ron Lewis
Despite winning his comeback bout at the weekend, Ricky Hatton is unlikely to see his wish of a rematch with Floyd Mayweather Jr next spring granted. Hatton beat Juan Lazcano on points at the City of Manchester Stadium at the weekend and is next due to box against Paulie Malignaggi in November, but he is likely to be told that he should forget about facing Mayweather again for the foreseeable future and instead look for smaller boxers to face.
Golden Boy, Hatton's promoter, is thought to believe he will need at least three victories to give a rematch with Mayweather, the WBC welterweight champion, credibility. Should Hatton beat Malignaggi, the IBF light-welterweight champion, in the United States, they are looking at a shortlist of three opponents, who would move up in weight to challenge Hatton.
The list is headed by Manny Pacquiao, the popular three-weight world champion from the Philippines, and features two former world lightweight champions, Juan Diaz, of the US, and Michael Katsidis, from Australia.
Mayweather stopped Hatton, 29, in ten rounds in Las Vegas in December. In the meantime, Mayweather, an unbeaten five-weight world champion who is widely regarded as the world's best boxer, has another rematch on his mind, against Oscar De La Hoya in September. When they met last May, it was the richest bout of all time.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/more_sport/article4009584.ece
Should he come through against Malignaggi, Pacquaio is the best fight out there for him.
There have been rumours of Hatton splitting with his trainer.
Does anyone think this is because Billy Graham is adamant he doesn't fight Mayweather or campaign at welterweight again?
I'm glad at least someone close to him is telling him to forget Mayweather. even if it seemingly for the time being.
Most beatable, in order:
Diaz - made for Hatton, little power, in the trenches, nothing to figure out but trade punches, a fight Hatton wins.
Pac Man - i HATE to see a p4p gem like Pac Man move up two classes and fight a mauler like Ricky. Especially since Pac Man turned pro at 112 and probably peaked at 122-126. It's like sending Felix Trinidad to super middle against a decent 168-pounder.
Katsidis - this guy would be definitely rough for Hatton. Maybe a little too dangerous on the risk-reward side. But a great fight.
I agree on Pac Man, but that's such a stupid move by Pac Man's people to even think of fighting Hatton.
I'd like to see Pacquiao vs Hatton but will wait until I see how Pac looks against Diaz before I get too excited about the idea. I would make Ricky agree to meet me at 137lbs if I'm Manny's manager, regardless of how the Diaz fight goes.
"but that's such a stupid move by Pac Man's people to even think of fighting Hatton."
Not really when you think of how much money he can make fighting Hatton. And Pacquaio is half an inch taller than Hatton at 5ft 6.5".
Yeah he can make dough Joe Ray. But pac man's power has already dropped off some jumping to 130. 130 to 140 is typically a career-range weight jump (Chavez and tons of other guys fought over those classes). Name one great 130 pounder that was a pnhcher and as effective at 140...who turned pro at fly!
I know Pac Man would be fun in that fight. I just don't like the idea of Hatton hugging and mugging him to death cuz he's so much bigger.