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Philippines, 08 Jan 2009 |
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RICKY HATTON EARNED HIS TICKET VS. THE DREAM MATCH WINNER (WITH PHOTOS) By Ed de la Vega, DDS PhilBoxing.com Mon, 24 Nov 2008  Las Vegas, NV:- Conventional wisdom dictates that bad eating habits combined with chugging beer don’t mix too well with boxing. It’s just like putting a cute poodle in a kennel of pit bull dogs or having a fillet mignon and ketchup. But Ricky Hatton, the “Jack-the-lad, come off the council estate” Brit proved everyone wrong. He showed that thirst for the suds, if moderated, could in some instances be a none-issue in boxing -- particularly if a change in life style is also done. Hatton allegedly cut down on his “murderous self-indulgence-between-fights binges”, changed trainers from Billy Graham to Floyd Mayweather, Sr. and went from “having takeaways seven days a week to decent hot cooking by his girl friend.” As he put it, he “lived like a monk.” Along the way he cemented his position to fight the winner of the December 6th “Dream Match” between Oscar de la Hoya and Manny Pacquiao sometime in spring of 2009. Now, even a fight with another upcoming Brit, Amir Khan, looms in the horizon. Last night, before a rowdy, noisy, drum beating, trumpet-tooting British fans that flew to Las Vegas to see Hatton fight and dry up the beer joints in this sin city, Hatton stopped Paulie Malignaggi the “Magic Man” from Brooklyn, New York in round 11. The fight was stopped by referee Kenny Bayless early in the 11th round after Malignaggi's corner threw in the towel. With the win, Hatton kept the IBO Light Welterweight belt and the Ring Magazine mystic title. Had Malignaggi not given up the IBF title, Hatton could have won that too. Hatton’s victory was almost expected as Malignaggi’s only chance to beat the forward moving Brit, who does not have a reverse gear, is to knock him out. But given the very poor KO record rate (19.23%) of the New Yorker attributed to previous hand problems, winning by a KO was not going to happen against Hatton. And, it didn’t. Malignaggi’s only chance to beat Hatton was to out work him. That too, did not work. Hatton, to the delight of hundreds of Brits that flocked to the MGM Grand Events Center, took the fight to Malignaggi from the get go. It appeared from the beginning that his game plan as to swarm the New Yorker and not give him a chance to implement whatever was planned against him. Thus, Malignaggi’s fast foot stylist movement was all for naught. Hatton with his new found head movements courtesy of Mayweather, easily took the early rounds with his incessant offense. He constantly slipped counters punches that were delivered by Malignaggi. Then he coasted during the middle rounds and again up the ante in the last few rounds leading to the stoppage. Now, Hatton can take a good rest, enjoy the Christmas holidays and get ready for either de la Hoya or Pacquiao in spring of next year. Oh yes, he can also have his beer or two. A fight with either of the two former multi-division champions at the Wembly Stadium would be ideal. For sure, it will attract over a hundred thousand Brits who will pay to witness a great event while they gobble up the fish and chips and chug barrels of beer. Richard Schaefer, the Golden Boy Promotions CEO had been looking forward to a Hatton-de la Hoya tiff next year. In fact, he was so confident that he can pull off the promotions if his man, the Golden Boy, can dispose the Filipino spit fire on December 6th. Bob Arum, Pacquiao’s promoter has a similar idea. But his is a fight in spring of 2009 between his ward Pacquiao and Hatton. That is how much confidence he has for a Pacquiao victory over the legend from East LA. Either fight will be great for Hatton. And if that happens, Hatton stands to make an insane amount of money much like what Pacquiao and de la Hoya will make for their “Dream Match” on December 6th. Hatton will undoubtedly stay over after his fight and be at the MGM to witness the match. For sure he wants to know first hand who he will be facing in spring of 2009. Hatton seems to favor a Pacquiao victory as he called him after his victory tonight. Perhaps he felt, a Pacquiao-Hatton slugfest in England is far better than a fight with de la Hoya. But a fight with either Pacquiao or de la Hoya is a sure fire to produce the sound commonly heard (albeit less frequently now-a-days) inside the casino floor…. Cah-ching! As for Malignaggi, the loss to Hatton could derail his future as a boxer. But, with his talents, he can always come back and do well. Besides, he can always shift career and become a model, or follow through with his television work. With his good looks, I am positive he will do well. Top photo: Ricky Hatton (R) tags the outbalanced Paulie Malignaggi with a left in the bit of action from their fight Saturday night at the MGM Grand Events Garden in Las Vegas. 
Hatton delivers a right to the head of Malignaggi. < 
Hatton acknowledges the cheers of the crowd after his victory of Malignaggi Saturday night at MGM Grand in Las Vegas. 
A dejected Malignaggi after the loss to Hatton. 
Part of the boisterous British crowd at MGM Grand who showed their full support to compatriot Ricky Hatton. Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ed de la Vega, DDS. Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles: |
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