FOTY! What do you think is going to be the single most important factor tonight?

Discussion in 'World Boxing Forum' started by DINAMITA, May 2, 2009.


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  1. DINAMITA

    DINAMITA Guest

    Firstly, some points about tonight:

    - I am so glad this fight has been made. Although I am first and foremost a Pacquiao fan, I really do like Ricky, I respect him for his attitude and I rate him as a fighter.

    - No matter who wins, I think this fight is going to be something special. Both men will be going for a stoppage, but there should be a balance between full-blooded commitment and calculated strategy and skill. I can't see how it won't be Fight Of The Year!

    - Everyone has their own opinion, but I genuinely do view this as very very close to a total 50-50 contest. I just can't come down strongly on either side. Hatton is a proven beast at light-welterweight. Pacquiao is the world p4p#1 and seems to still be developing and getting better.

    However, although I can't say this with much confidence, I do believe the deciding factor will be Pacquiao's footwork.

    He has improved this area of his game so so much in the last couple of years, his footwork is superb now. Ricky has a shorter reach and is not the best boxer from the outside, so I see his best chance of victory as trying to stay close to Pac, swarming him, staying on top of him, trying to make this an in-fight and connect with bodyshots.

    But this is precisely what I believe Pacquiao's footwork will curtail. Pac is faster than Ricky, and has the stamina and conditioning to fight at a furious pace and not wilt late on. I see him utilizing speed and lateral movement, and avoiding getting pinned down on the ropes or in a corner. With the fight being fought mostly in the centre of the ring, I just can't see Ricky having the head movement or defence to avoid getting hit... a lot. And although Ricky's chin is sturdier than it looked against Lazcano, he cannot be said to have a strong chin IMO.


    It will be bloody, it will be brutal, and it will be brilliant. You couldn't get anything else from two such warriors. I very well may be wrong in my analysis, because Ricky Hatton is an excellent light-welterweight. But if pushed, I say Pacquiao late TKO.


    All comments and opinions welcome. I think Pac's footwork will make the difference. How about you? :bbb
     
    DINAMITA, May 2, 2009
    DINAMITA, May 2, 2009
    #1
  2. TommyV

    TommyV Loyal Member banned

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    The way Hatton pressures. If he uses his excellent footwork and some upper boy movement to get inside, he's fine.

    If he loses his way and moves forward in straight lines with his hands at his chest like he did against Mayweather, Pacman will land with easy and then use his lateral movement.
     
    TommyV, May 2, 2009
    TommyV, May 2, 2009
    #2
  3. Ilesey

    Ilesey ~ Full Member

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    Hatton's defence. If he makes Manny miss and not let him get into his stride and build confidence, Hatton could just win this thing.....
     
    Ilesey, May 2, 2009
    Ilesey, May 2, 2009
    #3
  4. Decebal

    Decebal Lucian Bute Full Member

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    Agree with you, except that in this 50/50 fight, Ricky's the very slight favourite...and Ricky does have a good chin, actually...
     
    Decebal, May 2, 2009
    Decebal, May 2, 2009
    #4
  5. Monstar

    Monstar The Future.. Full Member

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    man, i can't ****in wait....watchin 24/7 and that Overtime got me pumped like Roy on steroids

    but it all falls back to one thing, Hatton is taylor made for Manny, he's sooooo easy to hit, this fight will be 1 sided, i'll be surprised if it's not, Manny just has everything going for him, he'll look like Ali in there with Hatton, Manny is just all wrong for him
     
    Monstar, May 2, 2009
    Monstar, May 2, 2009
    #5
  6. Hatesrats

    Hatesrats "I'm NOT Suprised..." Full Member

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    I just don't want the fight to be compromised by any accidental headbuts.
    And their styles almost ensure 100% a clash of heads will occur...
    (just hope it don't stop the fight)
     
    Hatesrats, May 2, 2009
    Hatesrats, May 2, 2009
    #6
  7. Gneus7

    Gneus7 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    I think you could be right, it really is a 50/50 fight.
    IMO natural size/strength will be the most significant factor 2nite. I see Hatton winning by KO/TKO because Pac is just too small 4 someone like Hatton
     
    Gneus7, May 2, 2009
    Gneus7, May 2, 2009
    #7
  8. Gneus7

    Gneus7 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Also punch resistance.
     
    Gneus7, May 2, 2009
    Gneus7, May 2, 2009
    #8
  9. bladerunner

    bladerunner El Intocable Full Member

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    Pac´speed. i have a feeling that Hatton thinks he can match Pac´s speed and will try to outboxe him at mid range once he sees that he cant he will go back to his old ways of being overlly agressive and will get punished for that until something big knocks him out.
     
    bladerunner, May 2, 2009
    bladerunner, May 2, 2009
    #9
  10. Circa

    Circa Skate And Destroy Full Member

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    both fighter's explosiveness... especially pacquiao
     
    Circa, May 2, 2009
    Circa, May 2, 2009
    #10
  11. Two Shakes

    Two Shakes Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Discipline :good
     
    Two Shakes, May 2, 2009
    Two Shakes, May 2, 2009
    #11
  12. Andyw

    Andyw Active Member Full Member

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    Agree with most of the above this is as close to 50-50 as any fight i can remember in terms of me predicting a winner, though weirdly i wouldn't be too suprised if it is quite one-sided(?).

    One factor not been mentioned is how will pac take a punch from a fully fledged 140 pounder? Diaz and Hoya landed nothing of not on him so we have never ween him take a decent punch above 130.
     
    Andyw, May 2, 2009
    Andyw, May 2, 2009
    #12
  13. asero

    asero Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Pacquiao's Overall Ability...


    he is just the better fighter
    he would crash hatton's resistance in 6 rounds
     
    asero, May 2, 2009
    asero, May 2, 2009
    #13
  14. lefthook31

    lefthook31 Obsessed with Boxing banned

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    Speed. If Hatton can deal with the speed of Manny it should be an interesting fight.
     
    lefthook31, May 2, 2009
    lefthook31, May 2, 2009
    #14
  15. 20_bandh

    20_bandh Member Full Member

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    For me the most important factor is whether Manny can stop Hatton connecting. There is no doubt that Hatton will be eating a lot of pig skin tonight, but if Hatton can absorb Kostya Tszyu's best then I cant see Pacmans power bothering him. If Hatton can get through frequently enough then I can only see the fight going one way, he will hit too hard. On the other hand if Pacman is able to keep Ricky at bay with his jab, angled punches and footwork then I can see him winning per decision or cut stoppage.

    I personally think that Hatton will be too strong and will stop Pacman between the 7th and 9th rds.
     
    20_bandh, May 2, 2009
    20_bandh, May 2, 2009
    #15
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