For Hatton, A.K.A. Hitman, it marked first
outing since the December Mayweather loss - while Lazcano
arrived on loss to Vivian Harris some fifteen months past.
Neither fighter looked rusty, and as expected,
the local crowd pleaser in style was the more effective and
busier of the two - Lazcano from Sacramento, CA via Chihuahua,
Mexico did his best to counter.
Much
of the ongoing action was at close quarters as Hatton, the
quicker of the two would get off a combination and then they
would maul on the inside - both showed ability to handle the
incoming.
Surprise here, Lazcano not using the size
advantage of 5’9” vs. 5’6” - still, he did have moments -
biggest arrived late in stanza ten when catching Ricky with a
short left hook counter.
Resulted in a wobble in the walk, but then
failed to seize the moment when Manchester -Howard Foster-
hack in charge opted to have a debate with Juan the visitor.
Not very nice, especially with Lazcano needing something big
at that point.
Old news now, it goes the distance with Hatton
earning the W on all scoring judges cards 120-110, 120-108,
118-110. My unofficial agreed Hatton 118-110 in points and
10-2 under the round by round method.
Post Scripts:
-
Hatton (44-1-1, 31 KOs) ~ age 29 -
still has something in the tank - but not a full one. Can
still bring it, and be successful if choosing the opposition
with care. Talk is IBF Malignaggi - likely the smartest choice
among the today Super Lightweight shareholders. Hoya mentioned
as well - more about mucho dinero than winning or losing.
Ricky crowd pleaser a natural over the pond.
-
Lazcano (37-5-1, 27 KOs) ~ age 33 - his layoff longer than Hatton
- could be reason spotty offense. Tough enough in the trenches,
but seemed unable to put together an outside game. The advanced
fighting age coupled with a now 43 kept appointments translates to
small club venues.
Referee Howard Foster -
were it not so much at stake for the fighters, I think one
word sums it up. Slapstick!
………………………………................................................................................................
The table setter, IBF Super Lightweight bauble affair with
Paul Malignaggi in return against Lovemore N’Dou, not exactly
a barn burner by any stretch - after first half action it was
Malignaggi time on my unofficial at 4-2 in rounds - then
without explanation Brooklyn Paulie turns off the movin’ and
groovin.‘
If Malignaggi expected to dazzle the Manchester crowd with his
“Magic Man” celebrated wizardry, he first should have removed
the weird full face covered mask for the ring walk - then,
better yet, have the corner remove the hair weave implant that
would unravel during opening round action.
With the ongoing hair in the face distraction, N’Dou was
making things closer with each round. In fear of Paulie
blowing the early lead, trainer Buddy McGirt convinced his
charge a serious haircut was in order.
Goes the full twelve candles - judges scoring has it
Malignaggi by split decision 116-113, 116-112, 114- 115. My
unofficial had it N’Dou 115-114.
Rest of the story:
- Malignaggi (25-1, 5KO) ~ age 27 - showed
little in style of his earlier days - the razzle, dazzle
trickery was no better than a hint over winning candles 2-3-4
- claims he busted his right hand in round six - later amended
it to hurting it and “maybe” broke it.
- N’Dou (46-10-1, 31 KO) ~ age 36 -
thought the transplanted Africa to Australia earned the win.
Costing him on the two losing cards was not throwing caution
to the wind and forcing it into street fight. The Magic-man
pitter-pattered enough to catch the eye.
Closing comments: Broken “mitt” story aside, if last noche was
“Magic” … the encore should have been seeing Paulie disappear
from view when verdict was announced.
Commentators: Versus stand up comedy act
Nick Charles and Wally Matthews more Abbot-Costello audition
than fight reporting. Next to impossible to separate the fact,
fiction, humor. The ongoing rambling chatter filled the
airwaves during live action and 60 second intervals alike -
sometimes both shouting at same time. Impossible to find who
said what. Matthews fighter interview talents non-existent -
arrogant and smug. Referees: Micky Vann working
Malignaggi-N’Dou a good one - earned main event over house
lunatic Howard Foster.
GEL -
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5-25-2008
