I'm too biased to make a responsible pick. But I think Castillo is easily the 2nd most skilled fighter Hatton has ever faced. In terms of footwork, punch variety...everything almost.
We have to be realistic and hope for a hit hit hit clinch hit hit, rather than a clinch hit clich clinch clinch kind of fight.
Hatton stops Castillo by eight - "y'all musta forgot" He looks better than for the Urango fight - he looked very weight drained for that one. I don't buy the cold excuse for that one, I actually think he tired cos of just how much he had to lose - more than usual.
John Rawling in today's Guardian: http://sport.guardian.co.uk/boxing/story/0,,2107092,00.html Hatton looks in magnificent physical condition compared with six months ago when he struggled to shrug off a flu virus before an uninspiring points win against Juan Urango on his Las Vegas debut. He was in no doubt about his form going into this fight. "Do I have the edge in footwork? Yes. In speed? Yes. Angles? Yes. Flair and boxing ability? Yes. Strength? Yes. I'm better than him in every department - not by a lot, but I am. I feel like a footballer who has been through a goal drought. I've not been at my best, but I have kept on winning. Now I have had my best training camp since when I fought Kostya Tszyu two years ago, and I know I can put on one of my greatest performances to really show America what I can do."
Interesting. Hatton isn't better than him in every department. He is not as consistent with anything he does, be it defence, jab or body attack. Nor is he as polished technically as Castillo. I'd say 75-90% of the pictures I look at of Hatton have him off balance, swinging wildly etc This is also true on film. This can't be said for Castillo.