MAYWEATHER - THE PICK

By George Elsasser



 
 
 

 

This Mayweather-Hatton welter title duel between unbeaten welters of respective 38-0 with 24 KO vs. 43-0 with 31 by KO has been easy sell on paper - thus the PPV and HBO 24-7 reality BS. 

The styles shout can’t miss with Mayweather the more proven in technique - and  Hatton of wham-bam thank you ma’am in style - the latter approach popular at blue collar Manchester, England venues of choice. 

Rest of the story:
Respective resumes sort out the intangibles - not in some relative knockouts to kept appointments ratio - doesn’t enter into the picture when these two greet one another come the opening bell.  

Mayweather ~ (age 30) quickly graduated to name scalps taken: year 2000 Emanuel Augustus TKO9; year 2001 Carlos Hernandez (UD), Jesus Chavez TKO9 s/feather title; year 2002 Jose Luis Castillo twice (WBC lightweight title).
Other victims had names, but were either shot or wounded when facing the self proclaimed pretty boy. Gatti, Mitchell in 2005 and Zabba-Dabba Judah in 2006.

First caught my eye in the year 2001 when meeting undefeated Diego Corrales - both age 24 - jr. lightweight strap up for grabs. Corrales down five times before corner tosses in the towel in stanza eleven. That one a text-book boxer/puncher besting celebrated power puncher.  

Hatton ~ (age 29) The sobriquet “The Hit Man” is fair enough - no argument here Ricky comes to do battle. Scalps you ask? Biggest name being recycled as career best to date is past champion Kostya Tszyu. Little, if ever mentioned, during pre-fight releases is Tszyu was age 36 and ripe for plucking - corner retirement round 11. Biggest scalp Castillo, age 33 in fight 65. The Hatton express near ran over Luis Collazo in early rounds - but  ran off the track late in winning welter belt.  

Final touches: Mayweather by unanimous decision or late stoppage via cuts.
                     Hatton expected to make it interesting over stanzas one thru six - but the slick, cool, calm, collected in demeanor Mayweather, will pick and choose to victory.
 
Ugly possibilities: This natural could well become tainted by the Nevada assigned third man in charge whoever he be - with the visitors' single chance of bringing home the bacon he must take it to the alley. The Vegas early rounds “first warning” could well place the hack in charge in a corner - enough final last “warnings” and we all go home early. 

GEO -

11-29-2007      


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