Ricky Hatton admits that his brother Matthew is up against all the odds on Saturday night when he takes on Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez for the vacant WBC light-middleweight title. But says his younger sibling shouldn’t be under-estimated in this fight.
Hatton senior believes his brother’s move up from welterweight to light-middleweight will be in his favor and that he will have more energy at the higher weight, having struggled recently to make 10st 7lbs at which he is the European belt holder.
Hatton, (left) speaking to Elle Seckbach in America in the build up to the fight also makes the point of when he himself was a massive underdog going in against Kostya Tszyu only to triumph against the odds and believes Matthew Hatton can do the same.
“He’s a massive underdog,” said Hatton. “its the first time he as competed at light-middleweight.
“But he shouldn’t be written off he’s the European champion and the fact that he struggles to make the welterweight limit, should make him full of energy moving up the extra few pounds.
“I was a similar underdog many many years ago against Kostya Tszyu and I was able to make him quit, these fights you cant take em lightly. Hatton added.
The Hitman also went on to speak about his long time friend Amir Khan and says why he believes that his fellow Manchester boxer can take the place of Floyd Mayweather Jnr and Manny Pacquiao when they quit the square ring. see the video above for the full interview.
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| Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez |
Saul Alvarez did an open work-out and media session and showcased some of the skills and quickness of punches that have earmarked him out as a future great champion and why he is the favorite going into this weekends big fight.
The Mexican, who turned professional at just 15 as already racked up 36 paid fights, winning 35 (26 KOs) with 1 draw. Oscar De La Hoya his promoter, believes Alvarez will be ‘The’ future superstar of boxing and the man to eventually put an end to Manny Pacquiao’s career.
‘Canelo’ workout video and interview
Canelo Alvarez Will Beat Manny Pacquiao”– Oscar De La Hoya
Alvarez, who will be fighting in front of a massive Mexican crowd at the Honda Center, in California on Saturday night, but having boxed on big occasions before notably on some of the undercards of brother Ricky’s super fights in Las Vegas that shouldn’t bother him.
Alvarez’s fans are almost frantic in there support of the red headed pugilist, who looks despite his pale looks, to certainly be cut from the same Mexican granite of his predecessors.
This fight had been set to be made at a catch-weight of 150lb, but since the added addition of the world title, the WBC will insist that the fight takes place at the full 154lb light-middleweight limit.
To add to Hatton’s disadvantages, the weigh-in has been brought forward from midday to noon, which is likely to give Alvarez an even greater weight advantage on the night of the fight, given the extra time to replenish, although Matthew isn’t a small guy and the extra weight could well help his advantage come fight time.
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| European champion Matthew Hatton with brother Ricky |
But Hatton 29, with 41 wins from 46 fights, (16 KO’s) – 4 losses and 1 draw, is ready in this his career defining fight and the chance to become a genuine world champion, by causing a major upset and Manchester boxer thinks that his durability and determination will see him through.
“Alvarez is strong, he can box, he can take a punch,” he stated. “He’s done everything right so far as a professional. But I’m very tough and very durable and I’ve only been stopped once in my career.
“He’s had good victories in his last two fights over former world champions [Carlos Baldomir and Lovemore N’dou], but although they’re very good fighters, they don’t bring the determination I bring to the ring.
“Strength is something I never worry about going into a fight, I’m physically a very strong fighter, but I do think the advantage I will have in this fight is speed – that could be a factor.”
The main question mark over Hatton is his power – he has only 16 knockouts from his 41 wins, largely at 147lb – but he believes it is a part of his game that is underrated.
“I’ve improved it a lot since I moved trainer to Bob Shannon (he parted company with Lee Beard in February, having spent most of his career with Billy Graham, who also trained Ricky Hatton) – I’ve got the power to hurt him, no doubt about that,” he added.
If Hatton is to upset the odds, he will join a great lineage of fighters who have layed claim to the WBC light-middleweight belt, including Manny Pacquiao, Sugar Shane Mosley, Oscar De la Hoya, Floyd Mayweather, Terry Norris, Thomas Hearns, Wilfred Benitez and Britain’s Maurice Hope.
Matthew Hatton has the chance to shock the boxing world on Saturday night in California and make a mark on the sport at the top level as his brother Ricky did. He will have to come through some hairy moments along the way and ‘Canelo’ will be looking to put on a good performance in his big Marque fight for the title that he has been hotly tipped for.
Alvarez is expected to win and that is why Hatton should go into this fight and give it everything he as got, leave nothing in the tank and fight like it is his last fight. Many are writing him off as cannon fodder, but Hatton can fight and can hopefully frustrate ‘Canelo’ into making mistakes and imposing himself and begin to back the Mexican up. But it is going to be a big ask and the head says ‘Canelo’ late or points with Hatton going out bravely, but you never know and that is why it will make essential viewing…. Go for it Matthew!
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