Ricky Hatton - Floyd Mayweather Live at The MGM Grand December 8th - Live on Sky Box Office
Hatton Destined For Greatness?
By Arvin Nundloll
Ricky Hatton's date with destiny and boxing greatness is scheduled for this Saturday December 8th and it couldn't come at a better time with the Hitman at the peak of his career as well as the Pretty boy Floyd Mayweather. Both fighters undefeated and ready to do whatever it takes to come fight night to be regarded as one of the best boxers to grace the sweet science.
Firstly we have to consider Hatton and Mayweather's previous fights, Mayweather has fought De La Hoya, Baldomir, Judah, Sharmba Mitchell and Arturo Gatti. All previous World Champions and all came in with a fighting chance of giving FLoyd a taste of defeat.
Ricky Hatton's previous opponents include Jose Castillo, Luis Collazo, Juan Urango Carlos Maussa and Kostya Tszyu. All previous World Champions as well. The only time Ricky Hatton has fought at welterweight was against Luis Collazo and that went to a tight unanimous decision to Hatton. Since then Hatton has not fought at 147lbs and now has made the step up again to take on the Pretty Boy.
Does this put Hatton at a disadvantage?
Hatton had Collazo down in the first round so he has showed he has the power to deliver at welterweight, also going by the recent De La Hoya - Mayweather bout at the MGM Grand in June, Mayweather was exposed yet De La Hoya lacked the power to drop Floyd, this is where Hatton could pick up the pieces and take in all that advice Oscar had been giving him over the recent months.
Floyd has shown vulnerabilities when cornered or when hit with punches in bunches. Hatton can use this to his advantage and clean house with Mayweather, but as Lennox Lewis has said, it has to be within the early rounds.
Floyd can really pound Hatton if Ricky allows it to go the full distance. After the early rounds Hatton will begin to fatigue and this is where Mayweather will bring the pain. With his accuracy and speed, his punches will be felt twice as much and can be thrown to the body and head effortlessly.
Ricky Hatton is bringing an estimated 15,000 supporters over, this will make the Hitman feel right at home and give Floyd Mayweather a reality check when he finds out the majority is against him. For example at the Manchester press event, Floyd was taken off his feet when confronted with the sheer numbers Ricky Hatton is able to bring out. Imagine the same crowd in an arena going toe to toe with their local hero and you will see why this will work against Mayweather.
Ricky being a man of the people, a good local lad who doesn't live as flashy or as expensive as someone should with the amount he is earning really puts things into perspective when he argue whether he was in it for the money or the legacy. The latter being what Hatton is all about. and to go all out for the first few rounds and get at Floyd or if he will pace himself and work the body every so often and try steal the fight on points. A diehard fighter who will strive to please the viewers and his fans in whatever way he can.
A rematch clause is always the first thing on a current World Champions contract demands. This ties in with my opinion that Floyd knows how dangerous Hatton can be and cannot afford to give any early rounds away or take too much punishment.
My editors thought for this one will be hard to call , but when push comes to shove Ricky Hatton will be laying into Floyd all night and I don't see Mayweather standing up to take the power the Hitman can deliver, Floyd is not immune to punches as some might lead you to believe with his fast hand speed. Should Floyd be able to last the full 12 rounds it may be a close fight going to the judges and that is probably worse thing that could happen to Ricky. The way I see it it we are in for a treat at the MGM Garden Arena come December 8th and will live up to the hype surrounding it. Arguably should Ricky win, he will be considered the greatest British fighter or our generation and even of all time (sorry Sir Henry and Joe!).
So its my turn to tell you all where your 'e money should be heading, Ricky Hatton will not be backing out of the fight and will be the aggressor, Floyd will work his defensive skills and counter Ricky all night, but I just don't see Mayweather coming out with anything more than a draw, Hatton KO in the 3rd for me. Either way Floyd Mayweather won't be so Pretty after this fight
Ricky Hatton vs Floyd Mayweather is live from the MGM Grand on the 8th December, tickets still remain for the Closed Circuit Television Broadcast at Mandalay Bay, The Mirage, Treasure Island, New York-New York, Luxor, Monte Carlo and Excalibur. Tickets for the closed circuit telecast are priced at $50, not including handling fees.
The venues will televise the most highly anticipated welterweight showdown in years and will open doors at 5 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at each individual property's box office outlets or by phone with a major credit card at 866-799-7711. For MGM Grand and Mandalay Bay venues, tickets also will be available by visiting
or by calling 702-474-4000. Ticket sales are limited to eight (8) per person and all seats are general admission.
The Undefeated WBC welterweight showdown will be screened live and exclusive on Sky Box Office and Sky Box Office HD - the first time boxing has been shown in high definition in Britain.
To watch this event at home, it is live and exclusive on Sky Box Office, purchase information for the fight priced at £14.95 is available
Watch The first episode of HBO 24/7 Ricky Hatton vs Floyd Mayweather :