World Boxing Association
welterweight champion Luis Collazo, like heavyweight
champions Lennox Lewis, John Ruiz and many other
world champions before him, has returned to the
Pocono Mountains in the state of Pennsylvania to
train to fight Ricky “The Hitman” Hatton at the TD
Banknorth Garden in Boston on May 13.
Collazo (26-1, 12 KOs), from Brooklyn, N.Y., likes
training in the seclusion of the Poconos because it
allows for little else than focusing on boxing.
Focus is important when preparing to face The Ring
magazine and Boxing Writers Association of America
recipient of the Fighter of the Year designation in
2005.
The undefeated Hatton (40-0, 30 KOs), from
Manchester, England, has set aside his International
Boxing Federation and World Boxing Association
junior welterweight titles won in his last two
appearances to move up to 147 pounds to face
Collazo, who thinks “The Hitman” made a
miscalculation when he signed the contract.
“They picked the wrong guy,” Collazo said in
reference to Hatton and his camp agreeing to fight
him. “I'm a slick southpaw. Styles make fights.
I'm the exact wrong style for Hatton.
“They're looking past me. He's one of the best at
140 pounds, now he's moving up to 147. It's a whole
new ballgame.
“You (the media) don't know me. Don't be fooled by
my innocent face. I'm a different guy in the ring.
He likes to come. I like to come, too. I can go
either way. If he wants to box, I can box. If he
wants to bang, we'll bang. It's going to be a great
fight.”
Tickets priced at $50, $100, $150, $250, $400 and
$500 are on sale now at the TD Banknorth Garden box
office, online at TicketMaster.com, or charge by
phone at 617-931-2000. The fight will be televised
live domestically on HBO World Championship Boxing
at 9:45 p.m. ET/6:45 p.m. PT.