Boxer Ricky Hatton recently outlined his plans for the remainder of his career. Hatton announced that in November this year he will fight Paulie Malignaggi in Las Vegas for the American's IBF and IBO Light Welterweight straps, following that, he hopes to battle either Oscar De La Hoya or Manny Pacquiao at Wembley Stadium next year in what would be his final contest.
Hatton's last major contest was his losing effort in December to Floyd Mayweather in their highly anticipated superfight, and despite the comprehensive nature of that loss, the 'Hitman' is nonetheless revered in his home country like few other British sportsmen.
Although Ricky is the current Ring Magazine Light Welterweight champion, his greatness is still doubted by many observers across the Atlantic. A convincing win over New York born Sicily, raised Malignaggi - second to Hatton in the Ring rankings - could help to remedy that situation.
Along with the undisputed middleweight champ Kelly Pavlik, the Italian-American Malignaggi is one of the new golden boys and 'Great White Hopes' of American boxing. His 25-1 record makes him vastly less experienced that Hatton, despite being only two years younger.
Even so, defeating him would do much to boost Hatton's stateside reputation. Anything less than a stoppage win would be a disappointment against the knockout shy Yank (only 5 KOs in his 25 wins). Assuming Ricky gets the win and goes on to have his Wembley swansong; he would be ending his career with a fight of massive proportions.
- B/R Ticket Guide
Both De La Hoya and Pacquiao come with extremely loyal and vocal crowds of support, and a fight with either of them would be a surefire pay-per-view bonanza. East Los Angeles native De La Hoya is regarded as a semi-deity by his Mexican fans, and is highly respected in his country of birth.
It is however doubtful what even a big win over De La Hoya would prove - by February of next year the 'Golden Boy' will turn 36 and is undoubtedly long past his best. He has lost 3 of his last 6 fights, has fought only 3 times since his 2004 loss to Bernard Hopkins, and his last win was against Steve Forbes, graduate of the reality TV show The Contender.
A fight with De La Hoya would bring a big payday, but probably not so much of a boost to Hatton's legacy. The proposed showdown with Pacquiao is more intriguing. Following his impressive June destruction of American David Diaz, Pacquiao is WBC champion at both lightweight and super featherweight.
The Filipino is truly a modern day great, with his 47-3-2 record the result of having many genuine superfights - 2 with Juan Manuel Marquez, 2 with Marco Antonio Barrera and 3 with Erik Morales - he has defeated all 3 of those Mexican greats. All of this, together Pacquiao with being the current best pound-for-pound, would make one think that a win him would cement the Hitman's place in boxing history, but it may not.
Pacquiao has fought as far down as flyweight, and though the 'Pac-Man' boasts a list of titles, defeated opponents and epic fights all far superior to those of Hatton, the size difference between the two could taint any potential Hatton victory - at least in the eyes of the purists.
The Filipino is comfortable at various weights, having won world titles in 4 different weight categories, but if he were to make yet another step up to fight Hatton at light welter and subsequently lose, you can be sure that some will refuse to accept the win's significance.
Hatton has said that following these two fights, he "would have done everything [he] dreamed of." Even assuming that statement was made in the expectation of emerging victorious on both occasions, it leads me to speculate that Hatton has not then dreamed of being the best of the best, reaching the very pinnacle of his profession and being considered alongside the legends of the sport.
Because if the Hitman's career takes the route that he has set out, it is doubtful that he will be.
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4 months ago
hatton isn't proven himself enough in the boxing world; He must fight great boxers like Pacquiao and others who have great names.
4 months ago
If Hatton will fight the Pacman, I'm afraid Hatton will retire as defeated and kissing the canvass for the second time. It will be a great fight though. I can't wait!!!
4 months ago
This will be a fight all are expected. Thought Pacman size is one factor... Still no doubt, He can turn around the table and end up victorous, by knocking down "Hitman"!! Watch for it!!!!
4 months ago
Pacman's size against hatton will be will be a factor, unlike his fight with Diaz. But then, it will just be a factor. I still pick the pac to emerge victorious.
4 months ago
I don't think Hatton needs to prove anything!!! People Hatton is one of the best fighters thats been in the ring for a long time. Take note I said fighter and not boxer. he goes for the kill and he is always moving after the other guy don't get me wrong Hatton's a smart fighter and he brings the action in the ring for his fans and he is always very thankful to his fans!! Hatton is always a good sportsman about things and all this together is why people love him so much!! I can tell you this much I have been keeping up with Hatton for about five years and every time Hatton is fighting me and my pals gather around the T.V. and its party time in Nashville,TN!!!!!!!!!!! WIN, LOSE OR DRAW !!!!!!!
4 months ago
Can't wait this dream match! Hatton vs Pacquiao. Champion vs Champion! Europe vs Asia!Close...very tight...the World will stop on that day.
4 months ago
the pacman should have metal abs to avoid hattons crunching body shots. If this comes true, hatton will go down in the later round
4 months ago
no one can beat pacman!!!!bwah hahaha!
4 months ago
The time will stop during the fight, no crimes but only peace. We hope that people of the world would love peace despite absence of the most anticipated big fight. Hitman vs. Pacman will the one of the world's greatest. mianz
4 months ago
For me hatton vs. pacquiao will be a very exciting fight. Because this two are both exciting boxers they give their all in the ring. fight to win carrying their flags in their back. for country and pride.
Go pacman and hitman! I can't wait to see this fight!
4 months ago
i have been watching pacman as a fighter for a decade now since his start as a pro, and now hes not just a fighter, he has been taking a notch up to becoming a complete boxer...as what arum said in the interview after the fight with diaz.hes the best.....everytime pacquiao moves up in weight, hes getting stronger...speed is power i believe.....
i have seen hitman fights too.hes really a great fighter...if its possible why wait for next year?
i love to see this fight!!!!!!
sure greatness for the two!!!win or loss.
heheehe
4 months ago
Pacman vs Hitman.. it will be a very interesting and exciting fight to watch.. But what i see.. the Pacman has a very big chance to win the fight.. It will be a fight that will stamp in the history of bxing were people will never forget through the ages.. Hitman is one of the best body punchers in the sport, one of the friendliest guy who never boast himself during before or after a fight while the Pacman is the most explosive, breath taking and talented boxer, a combination of speed and power.. Hope this fight will happen.. So the Pacman will become a 5-time division world champ.. HEHE
4 months ago
after pacman k.o hatton..we paclanders want, pretty boy!!
4 months ago
Thanks for all the comments - as I can see, both the Hitman and Pacman have strong followings. I hope the fight happens. In the meantime, I'll keep the boxing articles coming!
4 months ago
Pacquio will smoke Hatton and then meet Mayweather at 140 or 147.
4 months ago
PACMAN vs HITMAN
This will be the biggest collision boxing would ever had in years! Wow!
Trust me, this will happen...
4 months ago
"PACMAN vs HITMAN"
This would be Boxing's biggest collision in years! Really BIG FIGHT.
This will happen eventually early next year...
4 months ago
Hatton has done the best he can. It is so difficult for brits to even venture stateside with all the politics.Hence why it took him so long to get over there. much the same as benn or calzaghe. How can you accuse him of not wanting to fight the best of the best and reach a pinnacel when he has fought against tszyu and mayweather. He wants pacquiao or de la hoya who are both highly rated. come on guys, give the hitman a break. He's certainly done his fair share of entertaining us over the years both in and outside of the ring
4 months ago
Hitman is a great body puncher and Pacquiao has speed & footwork like Bruce Lee, this will be a great fight, I can see Pacquiao fights in "Hit & backout" style with his speed, and I think Hatton will goes down on 10 rounds almost like Diaz...
4 months ago
My feeling, if Hatton wins against Malignaggi he will fight Pacquiao.
If he loses he will wave goodbye with an exhibition bout against De la Hoya.
4 months ago
To be honest, the American attitude to British boxers really annoys me. Calzaghe has been slated for years and when he royally embarrassed Jeff Lacy it was seemingly brushed under the carpet. Ricky Hatton has consistently gone out of his comfort zone to do all he can in his career - how many great American boxers come to England? All of the British ones go to America.....
Yes, Mayweather beat Hatton but, let's not forget, Hatton went up a weight to make the fight and Mayweather is widely regarded as the best pound for pound fighter in the world. I find it laughable that Ricky can be slated for losing against a true "great" who was above his true weight anyway! I think he should be viewed for what he is and what he has achieved - a true champion in his weight who has never shunned a challenge, has consistently gone out of his comfort zone and beaten everyone in his path in his own weight.
By the way, I enjoyed your article - I thought it was very well written and enticed my debate.....
4 months ago
nice article mate. I think "Fatton" will probably be regarded as a true great, especially considering how he is able to kill the weight, then after a fight, drink countless pints of guiness and eat god knows how many full english breakfasts.
I think the american attitude to british boxers was pretty bad, but when the 12,000 or so fans booed the american anthem, it went downhill. I will say this though, I can't get the image of the yanks in-front of me saying this - "they are singing their national anthem!"
now that is patriotism. god save a german, well done boys haha!
POTD mate and 5 stars.
4 months ago
is the date set for rickys fight in november yet ?
4 months ago
Titillating match up! Its like Batman vs. Spiderman or Superman vs Incredible Hulk! Hatton is the only fighter who brought the best out of Mayweather. He made him fight! Perhaps he will bring out the best in Pacquiao as well. Lets get ready to RUMBLE IN VEGAS-JUNGLE in 2009!
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