One division apart, but Mancini was a big, very strong lightweight who I think in his prime coulda carried 140 pretty well. Does he beat a prime Tszyu?
A focused Tszyu sparks Mancini. But if B- level Phillips can outwork Tszyu and stop him, maybe Mancini can. But I think Ray's bullishness was made for 135 lbs, and wouldn't bet on him to beat Tszyu. Tszyu K.O 5
I'd favour Tszyu heavily, but if Kostya was a natural 135 pounder as Ray was, Ray would have a decent chance of overwhelming him I think. Would still make Tszyu favourite though.
Agreed. In fact, Mancini is more effective than Hatton, so if Tszyu was a natural 135 lber I think Ray would stop him.
Tszyu was old and rusty as hell when Hatton beat him (he'd fought 9 rounds in 3 years going in) and I'd bet my house on a prime Tszyu beating prime Hatton every day of the week. Mancini was aggressive and game but Tszyu had insurmountable physical advantages not to mention an edge in ability imo. I think Kostya would dominate and out-muscle Ray until eventually the ref intervenes to save Mancini in the 7-8th round.
Tszyu wasn't 100% focused going in to this and Phillips was a good fighter who fought out of his skin in this one and full credit to him. That said I reckon Philips gave Kostya a huge reality check here as Tszyu was KO happy at this point in his career. After this loss Kostya came back a more patient and better defensive figher and reasserted himself as the man at 140.This version of Tszyu who appeared up until the Tackie fight is the one I'd back to beat Hatton every day of the week.
Well in defense of Tszyu.... he was a shell when Hatton beat him. But I agree... Mancini was a better fighter than Hatton. Ray had a MUCH better chin than Ricky, and more skills. Hatton was just bigger, but not better.
