HATTON RETAINS IBO STRAP;
MALIGNAGGI GETS BY N'DOU VIA SPLIT VERDICT...
by George Elsasser
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.
MANCHESTER REACHES BOILING POINT FOR HATTON vs LAZCANO
With the excitement in
North West England reaching a fever pitch for Ricky Hatton's
much anticipated return to his beloved city of Manchester,
there are many questions still to be answered surrounding this
massive fight card which will be played out in the open air
City of Manchester Stadium before a record breaking 56,000
spectators.
The debate rages on between camps of those who maintain that
Hatton will resume as the wrecking ball that destroyed Jose
Louis Castillo with a devastating body shot versus those
concerned that "The Hitman" has already left his best on the
canvas of the Thomas and Mack Centre in Las Vegas when put
there by Floyd Mayweather last December.
HATTON, LAZCANO, MALIGNAGGI, N'DOU MAKE WEIGHT...
The official weigh-in for the Ricky Hatton vs. Juan Lazcano
showdown this Saturday was held In front of several thousand
rabid fight fans in an ultra-modern Manchester, England
shopping mall.
With top announcer Michael Buffer handling the introductions,
Juan Lazcano, 37-4-1 (27), was the first to take the stage and
tipped the beam at 139.75 lb before making way for IBO/Ring
light welterweight champion Ricky Hatton.
HATTON - LAZCANO FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE AHEAD OF THEIR MAY 24
CLASH
Press present at the
City of Manchester Stadium today for the final press
conference ahead of Ricky Hatton's May 24 bout with Juan
Lazcano were in no doubt that Saturday's clash will live up
the massive pre-fight expectations.
There was a real buzz amongst the dozens of journalists, radio
and TV crews present as co-promoter Frank Maloney opened
proceedings with the announcement that a further 350 seats
were available for the record-breaking event that has already
sold 55,000 seats.
"Why go to America when it has been proved that you can sell
out top class venues like this in Britain," said Maloney in
reference to British boxing's surge in popularity.
RAY HATTON GETS IT DONE IN MANCHESTER...
Although he isn't as
famous as his fighting sons, Ricky, the world light
welterweight champion or Matthew, a British welterweight
contender, Ray Hatton is definitely a heavyweight in the boxing
business.
While the limelight does occasionally find him, Ray prefers to
apply his talents behind the scenes. This week, he has been
hard at work with co-promotional partners Frank Maloney and
Oscar De La Hoya's Golden Boy Promotions, finalizing
preparations for the biggest boxing show ever to be held in the
UK, taking place this Saturday at the sold out 55,000 seat City
of Manchester Stadium.
GOLDEN BOY'S ROBERT DIAZ IN MANCHESTER FOR HATTON'S
HOMECOMING
One of the most powerful matchmakers in the world of boxing
today, Robert Diaz, has been in Manchester this week looking
after the interests of his employer, Golden Boy Promotions, as
they partner with Frank Maloney Promotions and Punch
Promotions to put on the biggest fight card ever seen in
Britain.
"I'm coming out here for the homecoming of Ricky Hatton," said
Diaz. "This could be one of the most exciting promotions and
one of the most exciting fights that I have ever witnessed in
person and I wouldn't miss it for the world, but being part of
putting this together has brought me out here as well."
"HOMECOMING"
HEATS UP AS LAZCANO TRAINER, RONNIE SHIELDS, PREDICTS HATTON DOWNFALL
The
position of trainer in the sport of boxing is perhaps the most
crucial piece of the puzzle when it comes to putting together a
successful fighter. The best trainers command a great deal of
respect for their unique abilities to raise the performance
levels of their boxers and as a result, are in high demand the
world over.
Ronnie Shields, a former two-time world light welterweight
title challenger himself, is one of these rare birds, training
or having trained such current or recent champions as Juan
Diaz, Vernon Forrest, Mike Tyson, Evander Holyfield, Kassim
Ouma, Jesse James Leija and Jesus Chavez among others.
"I'm here in England to train Juan Lazcano for his fight with
Ricky Hatton and make no mistake, we have come here to win,"
said Shields flatly.
GOLDEN BOY'S ROBERT DIAZ IN MANCHESTER FOR HATTON'S
HOMECOMING
One of the most powerful matchmakers in the world of boxing
today, Robert Diaz, has been in Manchester this week looking
after the interests of his employer, Golden Boy Promotions, as
they partner with Frank Maloney Promotions and Punch
Promotions to put on the biggest fight card ever seen in
Britain.
"I'm coming out here for the homecoming of Ricky Hatton," said
Diaz. "This could be one of the most exciting promotions and
one of the most exciting fights that I have ever witnessed in
person and I wouldn't miss it for the world, but being part of
putting this together has brought me out here as well."
HEALTHY RICKY HATTON FITNESS DISPLAY
In stark contrast to
the circulating stories of an illness during training camp,
which turned out to be nothing more than a fleeting minor
virus, IBO/Ring Light Welterweight World Champion Ricky Hatton
extended an open invitation to the British press yesterday to
witness a rigorous display of his healthful condition.
There has been no denial from Team Hatton that Ricky picked up
a virus for a short period, but he was so far advanced in his
training that he was already preparing to cut back.
HATTON vs LAZCANO: WILL RICKY RETURN TO HIS WINNING WAYS?... by Mark Urban
After the media circus that was Hatton V
Mayweather, Ricky Hatton, (43-1, 31 KOs) returns to the more familiar light
welterweight division with a defense of his IBO title against
Juan 'Hispanic Causing Panic' Lazcano, (37-4-1, 27 KOs). Hatton won the hearts of a lot of fans over the
Atlantic with his honest charm and sheer British bulldog
spirit, and with a potential re-match with "Pretty Boy" Floyd
on the horizon, it is important that the Mancunian gets back
to winning ways quickly if he is to cement his legacy in the
sport.
The bout will take place in front of a
packed City of Manchester Stadium on May 24th, which is
Ricky's way of saying thank you to the thousands who followed
him out to Las Vegas for that fateful night against the pound
for pound best fighter in the world.
MALIGNAGGI LOOKS TO SHINE ON
HATTON vs LAZCANO
On May 24, at City of Manchester Stadium,
British fight fans will be treated to a boxing feast. Leading the top of the
card will be Britain's favorite son and most popular sportsman this decade,
Ricky Hatton.
In addition, a great deal of interest will be focused on the first appearance in
Britain of IBF light welterweight champion Paul Malignaggi who defends his title
against hardened former belt holder Lovemore N'dou.
This past Saturday night, Junior Witter lost his chance and WBC title when
defeated by American Timothy Bradley, who has now thrown his own name into the
ring to challenge Hatton but Malignaggi is looking to convince the British
public that he alone is the man to face the number one superstar in the division
in the Autumn.
N'DOU STRICTLY BUSINESS FOR CHAMP
MALIGNAGGI...
“I’m just working on getting the job done May 24th,”
Malignaggi explained. “I’m focused
on doing my job on this card, not looking
any deeper than I have to. I’m training in Sicily
to get acclimated to the time change (like
England, 6 hours difference from
the East Coast of the U.S.). I have connections
here and everything was set-up for me,
including my sparring partners. I trained
two weeks in Vero Beach with Buddy (McGirt,
head trainer) and he’ll catch up with us
in Sicily.
“N’dou is a pressure fighter who fights at a high pace. I just
have to stay consistent and fight like I did our first fight.
I’ll force him into making adjustments. He has to try and get
to me, come to me, not stay on the outside.
MAY 24:
HATTON-LAZCANO, MALIGNAGGI-N'DOU II OFFICIAL!
The Empire Casino in London, promoter Frank Maloney officially
announced Ricky Hatton's next fight, an IBO defense against ex-world title
challenger Juan Lazcano at City of Manchester Stadium in Manchester, England on
May 24, 2008.
Maloney also unveiled a Commonwealth welterweight title clash
between reigning champion Craig Watson and challenger Matthew Hatton, younger
brother of "The Hitman" as well as IBF Light Welter Champion Paulie Malignaggi
defending his crown against former titlist Lovemore N'dou in a rematch.
Questions? Comments? Post them in BRC's new Message Board...
5-13-2008
