I would love to hear your fatwa declaration on this. How do you see it playing out. strategy for each fighter? Strength and weaknesses?
This is a very interesting fight, and although I see Mayweather in the end probably winning by a wide UD, it will be a lot more competitive fight than some expect, and it is one where Hatton COULD win it if he fights the perfect fight. Clearly, Mayweather's strengths are his greatly superior boxing skills, his movement/mobility, and his speed. Hatton's strengths lie in his aggression and tenacity - and I believe, his superior heart. The question is whether his will to win will be enough to overcome Mayweather's superior skills. While there certainly have been instances in boxing history where the lesser skilled, but more aggressive and tenacious fighter has overcome skill disadvantages, the odds are very much against this happening. And let me say this - it is not like Hatton is without skills. It is just that Mayweather is such an exceptional talent, the kind that comes around maybe once in a generation, that Hatton has such an uphill battle in this fight. Chances are he will not be able to overcome these disadvantages. That said, I see a fight where Hatton is competitive throughout, making the rounds close, and perhaps winning a few. Hatton will come forward throughout and try to rough Hatton up while Mayweather will use his movement and reflexes to stay on the outside and pot shot Ricky. I suspect that Hatton will get increasing frustrated as the fight goes on, and go all out in the last round to get a KO, as he will know he is WAY behind on the cards. Based on each of their past histories, I don't think he gets it, and it goes to the cards with Floyd winning a clear, unanamous decision.
Or it could go the other way, with Hatton frustrating Mayweather. Hatton's whole style and gameplan in the ring is to do everything first before the other guy. Punch first, confuse, give angles. He doesn't give his opponents a chance to do anything. He's a very clever fighter. If Ricky can keep up his relentless pace for 12 rounds and make Mayweather fight his fight, he can win.
Actually he uses a lot of head movement. The only flaw I've found with his defense is that he keeps his gloves a bit low. He seems to rely solely on his head/bodymovement and slipping, which is superb, but if he would keep his hands up, it would help a lot. But I think in general a lot of people underrate Hatton, and they don't really understand his style. He's not just some grab and hold fighter, he's actually very skilled. He slips, weaves and moves in with jabs, straight rights, left uppercuts/hooks, and keeps constant pressure on his opponents by grappling, pushing, and creating opponeings for body shots. He's also great at 'stepping', moving to the side to create angles. He's very, very clever and has a lot of skills. People who think this will be a shutout victory for Mayweather are going to be very surprised I think.
I agree with you on this, which is why I said, while I don't think Hatton WILL win this fight, he will be competitive, and he COULD win. I do think the decision for Mayweather will end up reasonably wide, somewhere in the 118 -110, 117-111 range. But people often make the assumption that a wide decision means a fight was a blowout. I think, in part because of the factors you mention, Hatton will be in EACH round, and narrrowly lose quite a few of them. It's possible even that you might see one of the cards closer than the others because of this. But the bottom line is that it will likely be a competitive fight where Mayweather nonetheless wins the majority of rounds.
That leaping left hook that hatton throws..... Will Floyd be able to capitalize that split second when Hatton is off balance throwing it? How about it Zak?
Wow a post where people are'nt complaining about Hatton's bare ass or Mayweathers flying money. Very good analysis on this post. Good job!!!!!!!!!! Sounds like Teddy Atlas!!!! Of course he's been picking wrong and that's what makes this so great!!!!
zaks not usually know for talking bollocks and yes, nice to have a proper topic for once thats not full of smack. i badly want rick to win, but i see he getting outboxed tbh, just hope i am wrong. /Theo
You got it closer than I did, no doubt. Sometimes fights don't play out exactly the way they look going in - frequently, actually. But then, boxing would be pretty boring if every fight turned out exactly the way we expected them to!
