With the change in weigh-in rules I don't think welterweight would be an issue. If Hatton had fought in Laings day he's have probably been a welterweight, their weights on fight night will not have been too different.
hatton punches nowhere near as hard as jones ,hatton would stand a chance to come on strong later in the fight maybe nicking the decision or perhaps scoring a very late ko but for me hatton maybe be cut and marked up enough to perhaps after half way give laing enough of an edge to win a ud. saying that laing may just not of bothered to train properly and just be in a happy place floating along on fluffy clouds
Laing could be hustled out of his rhythm, Hatton at his best had world class hustle and tenacity. Both fighters could be involved in messy fights, and it would be a scrappy fight, but Hatton would outwork him.
hatton gets in close and holds and hits a lot for me and as this fight would be at welterweight and laing was a big welter he may be able to smother hatton and man handle him push him off and score with quick combo's. just a thought
Hatton was far more consistent than Laing ever was. Laing beat a disinterested, beer and shagging version of Duran - as did plenty of others - Hatton at least had a career that is pretty easy to rate. Which is higher than Laing's.
true when viewing careers hatton comes out ahead and is more consistent agreed but in a one off fight at welterweight laing cant be discounted
Yep, you can never discount an "up for it" Laing but the problem with Laings career is that, Duran aside, he has no wins at all beyond a certain level of opposition.
A certain level of opposition that Hatton was knocking over regularly. 7lbs is nothing - especially if Hatton does the weight properly and/or a same day weigh-in.
They'd be around the same weight. Laing had to hit 147 the day of the fight, Hatton had to be 140 the day before and was always around 150 on fight night,
i have to admit to not being the biggest hatton fan but for me the fact the fight would be at welter makes the difference that gives laing a chance. hatton at welter against colin jones and dave boy green would be great fights which i again favour the older fighters but then i might just be being nostalgic at my age
Your not wrong, Hatton v Jones would have been a real tear up and a real bloodbath with a stoppage on cuts...:yep I see this been similar to the war with Thaxton, I just fancy Jones who hits harder...:yep I accept the same day and day before weigh in arguement, but for me I think that Hatton fought a more tougher level and motivated calibre of opponent towards the end of his career, as well as an equal number of tomato cans on the way up...:yep I read on ESB that Duran earned $3m the year after he lost to Laing...:huh Respect Kirkland Laing...:good