Hatton enters this fight as the underdog.  He carries the advantage of youth, and professional hunger.  His hunger could not be better displayed than to go after the reigning unified champion who has disposed of  his last 13 opponents.  Hatton will enter the ring with a 38-0 record with 28 knockouts.  The Hitman is known for his quick work rate.  Having played soccer in his youth as well as amateur boxing, Ricky has always been a well conditioned fighter.  His work rate will be a factor in this fight if he is able to impose his will on the wise veteran in Tszyu.  Many know Ricky for being a body snatcher in the ring.  His trademark attack consists of putting his opponents into a phone booth and attacking the body from both sides.  He can punch with both hands to the body, and is most effective with left and right hooks to the midsection at a very high pace.  Hatton has not had the American exposure that he would like, but it is due in part to the fact that he only fights in front of his Manchester crowd.  He has only fought 3 times in the U.S., and that was when he was a beginning professional.   

The Hitman’s chin is one that has not been totally proven.  While he has fought 38 opponents, the majority have been European fighters.  He has only fought against a handful of known opponents such as Vince Phillips, Ben Tackie, and Ray Oliveira.  None of these men were able to truly test the Englishmen’s chin.  This is one area that he will have to consider.  He has stated to the press on multiple occasions that he is preparing himself for Tszyu’s right hand, but I believe that he is underestimating the power that Tszyu carries in both hands.  Hatton has not achieved his record based on good head movement either.  He has proven himself with solid punching power and  pressure fighting.  Styles make fights, and Hatton's style of fighting pairs well with Tszyu’s style.  Look at the second Sharmba Mitchell fight and the Zab Judah fight.  Both fighters came out aggressively against Kostya, and both fighters were knocked out early.  Judah, the current unified champ at Welterweight, has a solid chin, but he was unable to take the power of Tszyu.  These are warning signs for the young Hatton.  He will be able to increase his chances of beating Tszyu if he can take this fight to the later rounds.     

Kostya Tszyu not only signifies dominance both in his division and in boxing by holding all three belts, but he also stands as an icon in the fight game because of his mental and physical conditioning.  Tszyu enters physical training several weeks before he steps into a boxing gym.  His training regimen is rumored to be one of the most demanding and comprehensive in the sport.  He is near fighting condition by the time he steps into the boxing gym.  This gives him the advantage of working on technique and game plan, as opposed to concentrating on conditioning or making weight.  His mindset as a fighter is reflective of his roots.  Having come from the tough region of Siberia, his concentration and determination are made of steel.  He spends multiple hours studying his opponent’s fights on video.  The tricky aspect of Tszyu’s style is that he fights smart and punches off rhythm.  It is almost impossible to read where his punches are going to come from, and he is an expert and setting opponents up by punching at different speeds.  There is no one better at throwing combinations and setting up power shots than Kostya.  He is a supreme power puncher, and he often spars with middleweights to prepare for his power.  At 35, an age when most fighters are nearing retirement, Tszyu seems to be at his best.  Showing a Hopkins-esque career standing, Tszyu has never looked as sharp and on top of his game as he does now.  Hatton is in for a surprise. 

Honestly speaking, I am concerned with Frank Warren’s initiatives in placing this fight.  Hatton has been sheltered, against his own liking, for most of his career.  It makes no sense to step up the competition with one of the best pound for pound fighters in the world.  It conjures thoughts of David Reid and Fernando Vargas, both of whom were thrown in too early against the punching machine that is Tito Trinidad.  Neither fighter has been the same since.  This is not necessarily saying that Hatton has no chance, but his chances are slim against such a veteran and physical specimen in Tszyu.  One thing is for sure, this fight has many fans waiting in anticipation.  Hatton is supremely confident as is Tszyu.