LUIS COLLAZO vs RICKY HATTON:
AN EXCLUSIVE BRC DIRECTORY
Compilation of articles written by Bragging Rights Corner's Inner Circle of
writers
HATTON GETS A GIFT DECISION IN HIS
AMERICAN DEBUT...by Frank Gonzalez Jr.
Ricky Hatton is one of my favorite fighters and I
hate to say it but he proved fairly one dimensional
against the slick boxing, veteran Welterweight Luis
Collazo, who got floored early but came back to
figure Hatton out quickly and out box him with
cleaner punching and superior defense for most of
the night.
by Kenny Perrault
Ricky Hatton's buzz-saw style looked
good in the early rounds, where he threw punches to
Collazo's
head and body. The southpaw,
showing why he is the champion, changed his game plan and
started to frustrate Hatton in the middle rounds.
With Collazo taking over, Hatton's high-pressure
style began to slow down, giving Collazo the chance to
box from the inside and outside.
The knockdown was picture perfect clean albeit of
the flash variety with Collazo more surprised than
in trouble - still, he opts to go the "turtle" route
over the entire three minutes - not too brilliant.
The Brooklyn native comes alive in stanza two of a
back and forth action round, and proves competitive
in a grueling battle of wills.
HATTON EDGES COLLAZO IN BRUISING AFFAIR TO
CLAIM WBA BELT... by Chris Robinson
Fighting for the first time in the
United States, Hatton would make a bold statement early as he pressed and
dropped Collazo on the inside just seconds into the first round. Collazo seemed
more shocked than anything but it was obvious that he was going to have his
hands full with Hatton’s relentless style. Collazo regained his composure but
for the early going it was all Hatton, who bullied Luis into the ropes and
ripped away with fierce body shots on his way to a 10-8 round.
HATTON'S CALM BEFORE THE STORM...
Hatton was in a jovial mood
after receiving a gift from his Brooklyn based
opponent. "Collazo gave me a six pack of Guinness
as a present," quipped Hatton, "which will take me
all of five minutes to drink after the fight!"
Ricky Hatton, 40-0, (30 KOs), is no
stranger to the spotlight, having become
accustomed to his role as one of Britain's most
popular sportsmen. "I plan on showing the
American audience what I've been delivering in
Britain for 40 fights," he said. "I believe that
I'm the most exciting fighter in boxing and that
I've always given good value for money. I'm the
same old Ricky Hatton and don't plan on being
anything less tomorrow night."
The occasion marks Hatton's first foray into the
welterweight division, what Graham says is a business
decision rather than a necessity born of physical
limitations. "I don't want anyone to forget that
Ricky is the light welterweight champion of the world
and this is the fight that the TV companies have
picked," said the trainer.
HATTON - COLLAZO CONFERENCE CALL
TRANSCRIPT...
I want big names. I want big
challenges. You know, and I think if topping the
bill for the first time in the United States wasn’t
a big enough challenge, and if (ph) I could be world
champion (ph) to boot, this shows you what type of
fights I am all about really. So yes, I’m very much
looking forward to it.
MAY 13-
LUIS COLLAZO: 'HATTON PICKED THE WRONG GUY'
“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..."
"It is with the greatest regret that I must
surrender my IBF
Light Welterweight
Title. Winning the IBF
Championship was without doubt the greatest night
of my life and to have to give it up outside of
the ring is truly a painful experience. Much worse
than the punches I had to take to wrestle the
title from Kostya!..."
