Undefeated

I'm a devout boxing fan. If you ask any of my friends they'll tell you the same. During my last boxing post, I was convinced that Oscar de la Hoya would be able to defeat "Pretty Boy"Floyd Mayweather, Jr. Man, was I wrong on that fight. Not only did I bet based on my heart and emotions, I came up $200 short. At the time I was in Prague and found a sports bar with some American ex-pats who were also die-hard boxing fans. I mean who else would be willing to start watching a fight at 5 am? Actually, you'd be surprised...

I've had no such luck finding a place in Rio de Janeiro to watch mega fights (e.g., Miguel Cotto vs. "Sugar" Shaney Mosley on November 10th of this year). Fortunately, there are some tech-savvy boxing fans who record and make the fights available on the internet. Have you heard of Bittorrent? If not, I highly recommend that you check it out. Some of the fights'image quality is amazing.

Anyway, I'm totally rooting for the underdog Ricky "The Hitman"Hatton (who borrowed his nickname from former famed wrestler, Bret "The Hitman"Heart and not Tommy Hearns) who at 43-0 is looking at his best. He's not at all an orthodox boxer, but boy does he have heart. He's so down to earth that when he flew into Las Vegas for his last fight, he called up a friend of his who picked him and his training staff up in a beat-up van. He's the people's champion and looking to put Manchester on the map as a place were great boxing champions hail from. After having watched HBO's newest promotional reality-based tv series, "Mayweather vs. Hatton 24/7", how could I not be rooting for this guy. With his Mancunian accent, he states, "I'm not just a pooncher, I'm a boxer too."

Not to be a player hater, but who can stand watching a guy like Mayweather? Of course he is wealthy beyond belief, but his lavish lifestyle and arrogant ways are what make so many people worldwide hate Americans. Besides his penchant for flash ($650,000 necklace, a $1M watch and a croney nicknamed "King Tut" who just so happens to carry his jewelry around in a box for PBF) he has even started a record label known as "Philthy Rich Records." This guy has never lost and will continue to flap his lip until he is beaten. I believe that time is slated for December 8th, fight night.

I never used to give PBF credit, but he has beaten everyone placed before him: De la Hoya, Castillo (twice - albeit the first time was very debatable), Baldomir, Judah, and Corrales. At 30 and closing in on 31, he is simply not going to take on too many more (dangerous) opponents. Shane Mosley lost his chance with his recent defeat to Miguel Cotto (I'm not sure he would have pulled off the upset), who, if Hatton doesn't take the victory, is the only other boxer out there that stands the chance.

I've read nearly every boxing story out there and predictions are all over the board. As for my prediction, which is without any bet tied to it, is that Hatton will only win if he can manage an early TKO (before round 8). After that, PBF will simply run around and coast into a decision since he's at home in Vegas. After my last sports book lesson, I have to say if you're going to put some money down, bet with your mind and not with your heart. PBF is a -220 favorite (meaning you have to bet $220 just to win $100).

Jose Luis Castillo's first performance against PBF in 2002 laid the blueprint for how to beat him - go to the body. PBF's defensive style of right fist held close to his cheek and left shoulder tucked high, makes it hard to him. However, De la Hoya showed that he can still thread some shots through.
Of course, Hatton will will have to deal with PBF's lightning fast speed and his incredible ability to slip a punch.

In case you don't want to take my word that the "Hitman" can do what no other opponent has been able to do in 38 previous PBS fights, I'll leave you with the opinions of four respected former champions:

Oscar de la Hoya: "I can see Floyd being over-confident. Ricky is younger and hungrier and he wants to prove to the whole world that he is a real fighter and can beat the best. I don't see it difficult at all for Ricky to win. I've been in there with Floyd and I know that his punching power is limited. I was actually leaving my head for him to hit me and honestly I didn't really feel anything.That will be a real advantage for Ricky, he'll have no respect for Mayweather's punches. I'm crossing my fingers that if Ricky wins, a fight between us would be a great possibility for Wembley next year."

Lennox Lewis: “Ricky’s got to go in there like a madman. He must go for an early win. Hatton has to rough him up against the ropes and not give him room...Hatton is a very strong, proud fighter. He can win.”

Barry McGuigan (Former WBA featherweight champion, hall of fame fighter and boxing commentator): "I feel that Hatton can pull off the upset, but I'm concerned about referee Joe Cortez. Cortez has been known to quickly break fighters apart during clinches and penalize infractions early in bouts. This could add to Hatton’s problems. I just hope referee Cortez lets Hatton fight on the inside. I’m real worried Mayweather will use the referee and pick pocket the fight."

Lloyd Honeyghan (former WBC/WBA & IBF welterweight champion): “Ricky will find the blueprint in the way I beat (Donald) Curry (former WBC and pound-for-pound champ). I didn’t just go in and chuck punches. It’s got to be educated pressure with lots of lateral movement. If Ricky watches my fight against Curry he’ll see me constantly going forward but (also) moving, moving, moving. I’ve seen Ricky fight like that before. Mayweather’s definitely beatable. It’s a hard fight to say who’s going to win. I do worry about whether his (Hatton’s) corner knows enough to help him adapt to Mayweather’s style of fighting.”

So, who is your money on?