Hatton Mayweather- Official Build Up and Fight

[thesilverfoxlfc]

ITS ALSO REPEATED AT 7AM. Skysports

No other listings during the day or on Sunday

[bazza76]

ITS ALSO REPEATED AT 7AM. Skysports

No other listings during the day or on Sunday

I know mate.
I cought the end of the 2.30am show at 3.30 am, but it was showing the undercard fights. so didnt bother, 7am is too early for me. thanks for the update anyway

[thesilverfoxlfc]

I had it set to sky+ the 7AM one but i plugged the box out

I cant find anymore listings as of yet!!!!!

[Bari]

You can watch it on the beeb today (sunday) at about 1.00pm ish 2.00pm full match up

[Dan]

You can watch it on the beeb today (sunday) at about 1.00pm ish 2.00pm full match up

Think I've something planned around that time

[thesilverfoxlfc]

You can watch it on the beeb today (sunday) at about 1.00pm ish 2.00pm full match up

Good man Bari, ill set the sky plus

[thesilverfoxlfc]

Think I've something planned around that time

Lunch can wait

[Shaggy]

The Hatton camp on a possible clash with that muppet Witter...

But Hatton's lawyer Gareth Williams has indicated that personal reasons were the biggest problem with regard to a possible showdown.

"Ricky feels Junior has been trying to piggy-back on his success and that he's never given him the respect he deserves," said Williams. "Ricky resents the thought of giving Witter his biggest pay-day.

"Ricky took thousands of fans to see him fight in Las Vegas while Junior Witter had his last fight in front of two men and a dog in a phone box in Doncaster. They're just not in the same league."

[bazza76]

The Hatton camp on a possible clash with that muppet Witter...

Is true though, the turn out for his last "world title fight" was pathetic.

[kurtangle01]

Is true though, the turn out for his last "world title fight" was pathetic.

I heard that of the 1,500 attendane they gave away almost half of those tickest to local business' etc... just to fill the place out a bit.

[bazza76]

The Hatton camp on a possible clash with that muppet Witter...

I heard that of the 1,500 attendane they gave away almost half of those tickest to local business' etc... just to fill the place out a bit.

desperate times

[Darth Marty]

Good article on Sky Sports...

....about Ricky -

So the dust has well and truly settled in the Nevada desert. It was, quite simply, the most eagerly awaited and hyped mega clash in recent years.

Thousands of British fight fans joined Ricky Hatton in Las Vegas; millions were willing him to win from home.

Our hearts hoped, and in the early rounds we saw chances, but those dreams were crushed shortly before dawn on December 9th.

Where did it go wrong for Ricky?

Could anything have been done to change the pattern of the fight or the course of events? Was it just a mission too far?

Firstly some of the press articles have been too negative towards Hatton. Those scribes were right to single out the disgraceful boo boys who let themselves and their country down during the American anthem.

But they were wrong to batter Hatton far worse than Mayweather did.

The first half of the fight was close enough, even if Mayweather had forged a lead, Hatton was certainly in there.

Yes, its true he was eventually outclassed. But wasn't he utterly valiant, brave and courageous to the end? Even coming forward through Mayweather's slashing hands and still trying to land the punches when he was countered and taken out.

A few observations

So much has been written about the fight; here's just a few observations:

Any early encouragement that Hatton's combined intelligence and intensity would shock Mayweather was soon eradicated.

'Educated pressure' had been the phrase coming out of the Hatton camp. But the jab that Oscar De La Hoya had said was the key to beating Mayweather was virtually non-existent. Team Hatton also said they wouldn't come in in straight lines - but he did...

Were the tactics right in the heat of battle?.... and was there a plan B?

Hatton and trainer Billy Graham have long said there's a method to his madness....yes he did get on Mayweather's chest at times, but did he mix the aggression up with enough thought?

Ricky's greatest asset is his ability to throw body shots from different angles. These were not really apparent. But that may be down to Mayweather's ability to negate attacks on account of his supreme defence.

We knew the referee was crucial. Joe Cortez has come under much fire, and yes, he certainly didn't allow Hatton to flow as he'd been able to do against Kostya Tszyu.

Cortez continually broke the action; and sometimes even before punches were thrown.

Pressure on the referee

There was pressure on the referee to make the fight a fight and it got to Cortez too. The Mayweather camp had warned of Hatton's 'grappling' style and that was obviously on his mind. Good ploy by Floyd's trainer, Uncle Roger there.

Cortez, as experienced as he is, did not help Hatton at all. But who knows what would have happened if he had done?

Hatton could have benefitted greatly, but on the flip side might have been taken out even quicker? After all Mayweather proved so strong physically. We knew he would win the boxing battle on the outside. But once he took on Hatton on the inside and came off better when he traded with him, that was the beginning of the end.

There are other debatable issues:

Hatton may have overcooked training; he was on the welterweight limit a full four weeks out. He openly admitted he had to be held back.

Maybe he came in a tad light too at 10:5; he did this because he was worried about putting too much on after the weigh-in and being sluggish on the night (as he was in his previous welterweight venture against Luis Collazo).

Perhaps he should just never have fought up at welterweight. Billy Graham has constantly said that Ricky is a light-welterweight.

And did Hatton use up too much emotion and energy at the weigh-in?

Did he get carried away with all the fanatical support? Could the magnitude of the event have got to even the most level-headed of sportsmen?

He might also have been a little too edgy and nervous in the vital minutes beforehand. Mayweather looked so relaxed in his dressing room.

Could Ricky have just wanted it too much? He definitely threw enormous caution to the wind after the point deduction. Again Mayweather just remained so cool and composed.

Psychological war

Plus it didn't matter that Hatton supposedly won the psychological war. At the end of the day it was always going to come down to who was the best fighter on the night.

Did Team Hatton underestimate Mayweather's power? That might have been a major factor because Team Mayweather certainly didn't underestimate Hatton.

Floyd's preparation was as thorough and professional as always. All that talk of Dancing With The Stars was a total red herring. Hand problems too were a bit of a smoke screen. Mayweather hardly winced in pain as he landed that decisive 'check' hook.

And the Pretty Boy proved he can adapt to any given style. Sign of a true ring great.

On the plus side, Hatton did not crumble like so many British fighters in their major American tests down the years. His determination, desire and sheer belief to conquer the huge task was phenomenal.

What Ricky did do was force out the best Mayweather performance we have seen for years. He constantly chased Mayweather down, making the ring craftsman use his speed and brain, along with showing his strength both physically and mentally for the first time in a long time. Mayweather looked the complete fighter. And Ricky brought that out of him.

Time for Hatton to re-group; its the mark of a champion to come back from adversity.

Fanatical support

You don't become a bad fighter overnight and his stock's still good. There's plenty to work with.... largely because of the Hit-man's fanatical support and because the Americans like to see drama.

That's what you always get with Ricky Hatton. In his biggest fight he was cut, he was outskilled but never ever did he surrender. Its just not in his vocabulary. And that is a very proud man indeed.

Yes its only a loss. But Ricky will be taking his first defeat so very hard. Because that's the make-up of the man. And that is why so many people love him in and out of the ring.

Yes he's made millions. But if you think its just about money with Ricky Hatton you're wrong. Those vivid scenes of his girlfriend Jennifer in utter dismay prove how much they wanted this win. As well, of course, as proving quite how much he's loved.

He's certainly one of the most accessible fighters ever. One of the nicest too. And that goes a long way. Careers are short. He will have many years beyond boxing, and the fact that he's been so good to everyone on the way up, means he'll find them there for him when its all said and done.

It's just that he lost to one of the best fighters ever. Floyd Mayweather Jr.

Its not often you see brilliance in the ring. And Ricky tried to live with him. No disgrace in that whatsoever.

He came up against the Pound for Pound king and maybe, in hindsight, we all got carried away. Yes the momentum swung towards Ricky as the fight approached, but Mayweather was utterly dazzling when it really mattered and would undoubtedly live with any fighter in any era.

Let's salute Floyd Mayweather. Time to really give him immense credit.

A 39% success rate on the statistics for Mayweather in a match of this magnitude against a man who hadn't tasted defeat in 43 fights is incredible.

His performance was astonishing; his interview afterwards exemplary.

So what's next?

Mayweather could fight Oscar De La Hoya again. More likely is Shane Mosley or Paul Williams. And Miguel Cotto is the one every fan wants to see try and defuse the Pretty Boy. Mayweather keeps talking of retirement. Let's hope he doesn't. We want to see even more.
He'll be back

Meanwhile after a rest and recuperation, Ricky Hatton will be back.

When he does it must surely be down at his natural weight of 10 stone.

There's talk of an English 'at home' appearance and then a tempting tussle with another brash, cocky American - the flamboyant New Yorker Paulie Malignaggi....in the mecca of Madison Square Garden. Ricky fought there in only his second bout; how he'd love to go back and top the bill, being the fighter, fight fan and fight historian he is.

There's the big punching Colombian Ricardo Torres or Juan Diaz, the lightweight king who could be tempted to come up...The Texan loves a tear-up and that would really appeal.

Hatton's still way beyond British business. He has never really wanted to give Junior Witter the 'payday'. Then there's Colin Lynes, Ajose Olusegun, Ted Bami, Nigel Wright, Lenny Daws..... Can't quite see any of those being made.

At the moment, there's obvious deflation. It might have a slight feeling of 'after the Lord Mayor's show'... but wait, and it will come around again.

Hatton-mania has life in it yet.

And for as long as he's fighting (maybe only 2 or 3 more ring appearances) we should enjoy every moment.

Let's leave this on a cheery festive note. Let's remember the amazing build-up. And the magnificent occasion for British sport. Tom Jones sung the national anthem. So many A-list celebrities from David Beckham to Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie were ringside.

Not bad for a down-to-earth lad from the Hattersley estate.

Admiration

Yes Ricky's hurting inside. His pride has taken a dent. He's gutted that he feels he let down his nation.

Ricky you haven't. You are a fabulous fighter with a captivating style and you are a charming, engaging character who stands so high amongst sportsmen.

We admire your principles, your talent, your honesty and your passion.

You helped generate 850 thousand pay per-view sales in the States. Almost 50 million dollars in revenue. And that was in America alone. 30,000 Brits travelled to see you. Back here, over 20 million pounds was bet on you. You were front and back page news. You had us all transfixed.

Ricky, these are incredible achievements and figures which surely won't be bettered by a British boxer for many many years.

Now go off and ENJOY your well-earned boozy break. And we'll see you in the New Year.

Merry Christmas Ricky Hatton - We know you'll be back with a bang in 2008.

[marcus50bucks]

Excellent read.

[bazza76]

Cheers Marty, good read that, gets all points in that I could think of, and fairly too.

[bazza76]

Me & Billy Graham in Vegas