A quote i keep hearing from Hatton

i'd put him in the top 10 if he beat oscar i dunno about pacman coz hattons a lot bigger and it wouldnt be a massive acheivment

 

Or power :deal

Basically he got the **** kicked out of him for the most part, but stole the odd round here and there. The biggest plus was the heart he showed to hear the final bell.

 

He's nothing like Mayweather. They aren't even alike, aside from Malignaggi being vastly inferior the styles are not too similar. Malignaggi is not a counterpuncher or a defensive fighter.

Malignaggi is better when he's using his jab and fighting offensively, he's not good going backwards like Mayweather. Nor is he good inside like Mayweather. He's a mid range fighter I think.

 

I think Malignaggi has got this whole thing about being like Mayweather - quick hands, good combos and movement (last seen ages ago).

But on reflection, it is total bollocks.

Mayweather's natural style is as a counter-attacker, who is comfortable both on the front and back foot.

As he progressed through the divisions he tended to fight on the retreat more, attacking in spurts after frustrating or wearing his opponents down. His abilities on the inside are grossly underrated - not only can he box, he can fight with the best - and isn't frightened to use the forearms and elbows to his advantage.

The biggest difference between the two is how hittable they are. Paulie, to me, doesn't have much DEFENCE - he evades punches by running. Floyd can shoulder roll, potshot, the lot.

 

Alright FMJ was a bad comparison, it's that he seems to rely on skills....that aren't really there, he thinks they're there but and gets a wallop in the mush, but he still thinks they're there and he gets another whack. Typical example of not being as good as you think you are. His reactions and reflexes don't work effectivly so he ends up legging it and he hasn't the power to do anything else.

 

Well they've got something in common there, because Hatton can't defend for ****.

It's becoming a lost art in boxing.

 

I think the amateur rules have something to do with that, your thoughts?

 

Yeah like Hatton might eat too many pies beforehand and come in a weight drained skeleton or himself to allow Paulie to nick a few rounds!

 

I've no idea why it is, I've not thought deeply about it. The sport is becoming more and more money orientated, and they are under pressure to not only win but win in exciting fashion. Defence seems to have been lost somewhere.

Look through the divisions and ask yourself how many fighters really have a good defence and don't take many shots.

 

He's hopefully not going to try to in this bout. I think it would be a mistake for him to try and think too much and be cute on the way in (which is a possibility with FM snr at the helm). This is where Malignaggi may be able to pick him off at mid-range. Hatton needs to get into his face and bully him, he can't hurt you so why waste time trying to be cute?

Agreed re: the lost art - Hopkins still has it for one, Marquez to an extent. A lot of fights these days are basic toughness contests (cotto-Margo being a prime example. Fighters like the Klitchkos have pretty good D due to their sheer size, but a lot of people mistake speed and movement for old-style defensive skills.

Nothing particular against it mind, the range of styles is what makes it such a great sport.

 

You just touched upon the Klitschko's, but I'm not convinced. They do have a good working defence in reality, but if we scaled them down it wouldn't look half as good. They have massive height and reach advantages and good jabs to keep guys off. So in an essence offence is their defence which isn't a problem, but I wouldn't say have great defence in a classical sense.

Hopkins, Toney and maybe Mayweather are gone soon. I like a range of styles, and I think a good defensive style is being lost. There aren't enough in proportion to others.

 

Calderon is coming to the end of his career too, possibly the best defensive fighter of the lot.

 

Its not happening at this stage of his career mate.Each passing day he's likely to hold more....

 

In your words, would you sat he's slipped ?