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It's certainly an intruiging fight - I think Hatton's non-stop pressure will see him through in an untidy 12 rounds, but his vulnerability to left hooks recently worries me - I doubt Malignaggi is strong enough to exploit it but I'd like to see Ricky hang up the gloves after this one.

I meant intriguing, the typing fingers haven't woken yet....

The Hitman to knock the Magic Man out by round 7!

i reckon hatton'll be ok - infact i think he'll look impressive. paulie just ain't strong enough.

i'm really interested to see how much of Floyd snr's advice and prompting ricky will have soaked up. i can't help but feel that if ricky gets tagged and a little annoyed, he'll simply revert back to his old ways (and still do fine).

if he handles Paulie, i reckon he could last another 2 big fights.

i'd want him to stay away from DLH though...

all the best ricky

I love the idea of Ricky fighting Manny next. Although I fear Pacman is fighting to large an opponent in De La Hoya first.
Paulie to get a beating to the body on Sat night, that'll slow him down. And make him an easier target. As long as the ref is sensible of course...

I am pleased Ricky has got a new trainer and is getting back to his boxing, something he is better at than people give him credit for. Ricky is also quite fast which people don't seem to realise. I think is fight with Tzu sort of set him a blue print of how to win, but all opponents arn't the same and you carn't fight like that all the time especially when you live the lifestyle Ricky does.
People compare him to Duran, who in is early years was very much the all energy pressure fighter that Ricky was and also enjoyed the same lifestyle. The difference though is Duran was a very good boxer also and used that ability more as he aged.
Ricky if anyone cares to remember was a quite a intelligent fighter before the tzu fight, so now he as realised he hasn't got the gas in the Tank to fight like he did against Tsu and used intelligent pressure working his way in of the jab, and moving his head I think he will be a lot more successful against PM. Having said that Im still not sure he has the stamina left to still have lots in the tank in the later rounds when PM could start to have more success as Ricky slows down.

Malignaggi's request to referee Bayless is encouraging. That's the kind of thing you do when you're concerned about a method of attack, he doesn't want Ricky thumping away up close.

There seems to be a belief that because Ricky has lost a fight (not at his best weight and against the best fighter in the world) that he is now a poor fighter. This is nonsense. Ricky will be too strong for Paulie.

I still think Ricky is the best and certainly the most aggressive of the light welterweights.

I would like to see him re-unify the titles in this division and become for the second time the undisputed champion. He is still capable of this in my opinion. Then maybe retirement, because all the big big money fights are a weight or two up from Ricky now as the big names seek championships at several weights.

I think a couple of years ago Ricky would have beaten Cotto, but both he and Margarito have improved and gone up a weight. Ricky could have a superfight with either but I fear he would lose as welterweight isn't his natural home.

Don't get me wrong he has unified the light welterweight divsion once and won a world title at welterweight. He has been willing to travel to the US and put his reputation on the line and he has only lost one fight in his career, and that was to one of the greatest boxers of his generation.
He is, after Calzaghe, maybe the best british boxer for 30 years. But he needs to stick at light welter to dominate.

to chaddyroar, hatton has never unified the light welterweight division. out of the major four he has held the wba and ibf, he has never held the wbc or wbo. he also has held the lesser titles of the wbu and ibo.

I can see Ricky maybe trying to hard and being over confident and maybe ending up with quite a shock fight. Although I am hopig he'll knock the stuffing out of him !! GO RICKY!!

From Chaddyroar,

There seems to be a belief that because Ricky has lost a fight (not at his best weight and against the best fighter in the world) that he is now a poor fighter. This is nonsense.

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Speaking personally, it wasn't the Mayweather fight that showed Hatton's decline, but Maussa, Collazo and Luczano. All of them fairly miserable and Collazo was extremely unlucky not to knock him out. He beat Castillo - granted - but not at Castillo's (then) favoured weight and he's gone on to lose to Lujan - no great shakes.

Hatton has to pull out a real performance and he hasn't done that since Tszyu. Mailgnacci is a good opponent for him as - obviously - he doesn't like the idea of having Ricky up close and personal - but, as Paulie said, when Hatton talks about 'out-boxing' the Magic Man, he's not in the real world.

Ricky is a star. He can deliver loads of fans and PPVs. I think - win, lose or draw - he will get the meaningless catchweight money fight against against De La Hoya or Pacquino. However, in terms of his legacy, I'm guessing in fifteen years time the documentaries will show the Tszyu fight and then discuss the 'might have beens' of the Hatton career.

I agree he's "ONE OF" the best british fighters for 30 years, but please don't forget Danny WIlliams...

Actually... forget Danny Williams.

#11:

When you say "he beat Castillo - granted - but not at Castillo's (then) favoured weight"... I wonder if you would ever use the argument "mayweather beat Hatton - granted - but not at Hattons favoured weight" ?

doubt it.

Ironically, I expect it is Hatton, not the 'Magic Man' performing the infamous Disappearing Act. I expect the Act to take place around the 9th round.

Alot of the build up to this fight is mere speculation and most of it has made me chuckle.

Looking at his past fights there's only one way this will go...

Laczano - Had a chest infection. The guys modesty and not wanting to use excuses probably hides how hindered his training was and his general condition.

Mayweather Jr - Wrong tactics, didn't get worn down just went charging in with no real movement or faints and got caught before FMJ was able to either move out of range or slide to one side and hold. Not forgetting that he is the best P4P fighter of the last decade.

Castillo - The guy who'd never been knocked down (he got KO'd on his feet against Corrales) was put down for the best part of a minute by a rib breaking left hook. And Hatton had dominated the first 3 rounds to boot.

Against Collazo he was up against a guy who was huge for Welterweight (strange choice), again picked up something during training vegas so wasn't 100%. Dominated nearly every round until the last few by which point the fight was won.

What has Malignaggi got in his arsenal that will cause problems to Hatton than the above? He is quick but his only real punch is a left jab which won't win you rounds. Cotto was far below his best when he fout PM but he still smashed him round the ring at weight he wasn't right at (never fought at JW again)

My prediction: Hatton to slip a left jab and win with a left hook, round 3.

Then bring on a proper test.. and i so hope Manny P wins as it may then stop De la Hoya fighting the little guys - a light middleweight shouldn't be a contest against a lightweight!

# 13

No I wouldn't use the argument that 'Mayweather beat Hatton - granted - but not at Hatton's favoured weight' as mayweather would have beaten Hatton at any weight. The idea that Ricky would have won at light-welter is a fantasy.

My point was that until Castillo got old, he was down at lightweight for the bulk of his career. Hatton took him with a really good punch, but Castillo was past his best.

Bit like Hatton, really.

Malignaggi feels threatened by Hatton and what he's bringing to this fight. Paulie in a way has been billed as a favourite, due to recent under-par performance from the Hitman, but i think we could see the Ricky of old in the ring on Saturday, and I honestly believe that the only way Paulie can win is if he puts in the performace of his life, and even then he would only win on points....he WILL NOT knockout or stop the Hitman, not a chance!

Ricky will win, I think he will KO Paulie and show him that he's all talk and no substance!

Like you said, even if rickys tank is only three quarters full it will still be a cracker!

I firmly believe that ricky is in his best condition for the last three years and im backing ricky to win on points.

However, theres no denying that hes coming up to retirement, no question. I think Ricky should have one more fight after this then call it a day, it should be against the winner of the de la hoya fight and it should be at wembley or old trafford.

Lets get this one over with first though!!

its going to be a belter, i think ricky will have more aggresion and that will show on the judges score cards at the end of the twevlth round!!

I am very concerned about the referee. Ricky's best asset is landing punches from in close, body shots and upper cuts with power that wear down an opponent for the K.O punch. In the Mayweather fight he wasnt allowed to do this and a frustrated Hatton got picked off by a classy and bigger opponnent.

If the referee lets Hatton work inside I think Paulie will get hurt, otherwise expect it to go the distance and be a tight points decision in favour of Ricky.

Ben, mate, change that photo on your biog. It looks like someone has photo-shopped it so it's been squeezed in an inch on every side, with horrifying results.

Unless... God... unless it HASN'T been photo-shopped...

"malignaggi and dibella have publicly called upon kenny bayless to snuff out any rough stuff from hatton"

i thought this was boxing, not basketball?

Though I am not a big fan of Ricky.. the ultra jingoistic fervour and hype he attracts puts me off... I do wish him well in this fight.
Paulie is strong and tough though. He may be a feather fist, but is an excellent boxer with fast hands. He will give Hatton fits in what I reckon will be a closely contested fight.
And talking about Ricky's fight with big mouth, Pretty boy Floyd, it is worth noting that Floyd turned pro at Junior Lightweight and Hatton at Junior Welter.
Point is PBF is even less a welter than the hitman
Back to the Malignaggi fight, I say Hatton by decision but a possibility of Malignaggi's slashing fists busting up Ricky for a cuts stoppage.

I think we'll see a new side to the Hitman, especially with Mayweather's old man putting him through his paces. Hatton to win inside 9 rounds, come on Ricky!!!!!!!!

If Hatton can get away with bullying PM, and roughing him up this is Hattons fight, Hatton needs to brawl to unsettle PM not try to outbox him as he'll get schooled...

PM doesn't have the same accuracy of FMJ and I believe he he won't be able to handle the pressure the same way either...

Only things I see as a problem for hatton is if PM gets on his toes for the first 5 - 6 rounds and Hatton's tanks start getting low allowing PM to start picking him off and Hatton gets frustrated and starts jumping in all 'Gun Hoe'...

But other than that I see Hatton taking this home with a comfortable SD.

The fact is when Hatton lost against Mayweather, he was no where near the fighter he was against Tszyu. In the fights after Tszyu he looked lethargic and one-dimentional and the two men to blame are Billy Graham, to whom Hatton was far too loyal, and Hatton himself for going on the Danny Williams training regime between fights.

Hopefully Mayweather Snr has given him the good kick up the arse he needs and deserves, because Hatton has bags of talent, but talent alone at this level is not good enough. Commitment and dedication are what it's all about - ask Mayweather Jnr.

Hatton simply does not have the discipline to be a great fighter.

The whole booze-and-pies I-am-what-I-am fat-northerner schtick is a complete crock.

That's why Mayweather beat him so easily, that's why he struggled against Lazcano of all people, that's why Paulie will be too much for him to handle.

If Cotto couldn't knock out Malignaggi, then Ricky will need another Castillo-style liver punch to manage it.

And if it goes the distance, my money is on the faster, slicker Paulie.

Hatton should be able to take care of Paul "Magic Man" Daniels inside the distance. His body work will take a lot out of PM and I think the fight will be stopped. I'd like to see Ricky win by KO but I'm going for a stoppage. PM will be destroyed and cut to pieces by round 10.

I hope...

8 Chaddyroar - Personally I feel Hatton ranks higher as a British boxer over the last 30 years than Calzaghe. I know know Joe has a great record and has better all round boxing skills, but Hatton has put himself on offer against comparably much better fighters in Tszu, Mayweather and now taking a risk against PM. I'm not dissing Joe, I just think Ricky has been braver and more ambitious - a better ambassador for British boxing. Also, Eubank, Watson & Benn in thier prime might have something to say about Calzaghe being the best Brit boxer of the last 30 years. Hatton to win this fight circa round 10 or 11.

I think Hatton might have something to say about any future fights at Old Trafford. Something tells me he'd prefer City of Manchester Stadium....

Re: The Hand Of Hidden Forces comment..

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Hatton actually hit the 147lb welter limit TWO weeks before the Mayweather fight, usually a fighter will be a few lb's over the limit in the days leading upto a fight and shave them off at the last minute. He was too eager with his preperations and the fight itself, his tactics were miles off hence why he lost on this occasion.

Regarding the lazcano fight it's common knowledge he was in quite a bad way with his chest infection, to the point they were considering postponing the fight. I seem to remember him winning every round as well...?

And back to PM, Cotto's performance was described as one of his worst by most people who have seen him box at far superior levels. But he STILL beat him by roughly 117-111 from memory.

PM doesn't have anything that will worry someone in Hattons league, ESPECIALLY as he's a come forwards fighter who was prepared to walk through someone of Tszyu's power in order to get to him.

If people actually read the interviews he's not actually saying he's going to stand there and box from range, he's going to set his attacks up (like the Tszyu fight) with jabs, head movement and feinting whilst coming into body shot/hook range.

I actually doubt many people have watched PM fight before because he's not very impressive. If Hatton is firing on 80%+ of what he can do PM won't last beyond 8.

Cotto might have some power, but he didn't go after Paulie the way Hatton will (lets not forget Hatton has tremendous power at this weight too)

If Hatton smells blood he will be on Paulie like glue, he will walk through Paulies taps to take him out.

The fight will not end well for Paulie that's for sure.

PM is tough, speedy but hasn't the class to beat Hatton. Hatton to win convincingly inside 12 rounds.

This is an interesting fight, rather than a blockbuster! I really think Hatton will have to take an early grip on the contest and at least take 4 of the 6 opening round.
Malignaggi needs to get to the 8th round and try to take Hatton beyond 10. If it goes beyond 10, Hatton will struggle and the risks of a stoppage will be a threat.
I have a feeling it will go to a points decision and that could be close-one would favor Hatton but Malignaggi's styl may impress American judges more.

Any idea what time the weigh in is and if anyone is showing it in britain

kingterry2005 - I think it's 10:30pm this evening on Sky Sports mate.

Ricky Hatton is the most entertaining fighter in England. He has wowed us all for years and just because he didn't cut the mustard in the higher weight doesn't mean he's not good. He was robbed against Mayweather in the early rounds which caused him to lose the plot and look ordinary. Take a look at the first 3 rounds and see how many times he was denied a roll of punches.

He will win tonight and he will win for the rest of his career.

GO ON RICKY

Lets be honest, the only way spaghetti (or what ever his name is) is going to win is on points and if he go's the full distance, fair play to the lad.

Ricky's had ONE defeat, ONE and most will admit the ONE defeat was to the best pound for pound fighter for the last 25 years, maybe longer. Malignaggi maybe a fast mover like Floyd but his boxing and puching skills are not, infact in that aspect they are miles apart.

My moneys on Ricky in the sixth, after five rounds of rib cracking body punch's carbonara will slow enough to get dropped.
Rickys got lots of heart, raw power and if Mayweather Snr has taught him to use his head too
(NO, i don't mean HEADbutting) then tagliatelle is in for a real beating!!

Only time will tell, i just hope i'm still awake at 4am!!

Ricky will shade this fight on his early work rate but fade in the later rounds. He seems re-invigorated with his new training regime but don't we all when we're doing something new and different. This bout will let him know it's time to call it a draw. He's been, and still is, an excellent draw in British and world boxing but longevity is regime-dependant and Ricky's inter-fight regime of Guinness and Madras just doesn't cut it. Paulie will be around for 3 more years as a bridesmaid.

Dear ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ,
I am quite aware it is late in the day but I have to point out three things...
1. I am a more skilled journo than Ben Dirs.
2. I have interests ranging from cricket, motorsports, football and boxing.
3. If you want a well constructed live text or report I am your man, please send me an e-mail if you are interested.

P.S I am a student and therefore have lots of time and will work for little.
Plus Hatton to win by K/O in 9.

sg1985bwfc...
Come on son get it right! Hatton has unified the division . just because he hasnt held all major titles together doesnt mean he has not unified . wba IBF and IBO means unified . its the same wladamir klitcshko wbo IBF IBO UNIFIED !!!! Dingler!!!

Fist of all I would like to state the I am not a ricky hatton fan athough it is very difficult to dislike him as a person.
I am british but certainly not proud of our foul mouthed heavy drinking tatooed bling bedeked nation so I feel that I can as a former ameture boxer and professonal motorcycle racer I have had a small amount of experiance in the workings of sport so can possibly be a little more objective than a good many of you dear contributers.
It is my oppinion that the fight with PM could well be an anti climax and totally one sided in RH's havour.
Here's why.

PM is not a great fighter.
I have watched five of hisrecent fights four of which were against very ornanary opponents.His only impressive showing was against Cotto who had drained himself to make LW for the last time. and was nothing like the fighter he could be. PM lost by a large margin but showed guts and determination.
PM thinks that due to his showing in that fight that he has the beating of RH.
But hatton is not Cotto although I do think Cotto would be to strong for Hatton at Welter.
Cotto is a strong formulated fighter, throws good jabs,hooks to the body and crosses to the head, very accurate but in a slow relenless moving forward stile.
Hatton is far quicker.throws punches from all angles and although may not hit quite as hard as Cotto hits far more often and completely overwhelms all but the very best.
Hatton like Calzaghe has got to the top in spite of his trainer not because of him. If Mayweather can bring out the nateral head and foot movement he had not so very long ago then PM is in for a reality check.
Pauly Maglignaggi is realy not all that good.
Of course if Ricky Hatton has had one (or several) fight to many then that is a whole different story.
But I don't think so some how.

Why is it that when discussing Great British boxers Lennox Lewis is always ignored? One of only 3 men to be a 3 time world heavyweight champion, a man who defeated every fighter he ever entered the ring with, who left Mike Tyson so scared he paid him not to have to fight him and a man George Foreman considers one of the best of all time?


Anyways, Hatton to win by KO, can see it coming a mile off- fight a massive disappointment etc etc.

Malignaggi in 9, Hatton's past his prime.
Mayweather's boy's smoked, Paulie gonna be stoked.
PacMan is next, You read it in this text.

Hatton could've beat Malignanni if he was 60 years old.

It's always pleasing when a big mouth gets shut up, he was out boxed all night by someone thats "never been that good"

I wonder if in his next fight he'll be more respectful to his opponent after this humbling.