18.05.05 – By Jim Amato: On June 4th in Manchester, England I.B.F. junior welterweight champion Kostya Tszyu will defend his title against the popular Ricky Hatton. This one has WAR written all over it. When this fight was first talked about I was leaning toward Hatton. Kostya had a very long layoff due to injuries and Ricky was moving up steadily in the rankings. To me it looked like a case of the young giving way to the old. Kostya had his run, now it would be Ricky’s turn. Then Kostya looked great against Sharmba Mitchell. All of the sudden Tszyu did not look old and ready to be taken. It was time to think this fight through again.
Hatton is very strong and he throws a lot of punches. He will force Kostya to use those old legs probably more then he would like. Hatton is not a defensive genius and I see Kostya landing some hurtful counter punches. Tszyu is a smarter boxer then he is given credit for. He has a very useful jab and if he establishs that punch early it could be the key to victory.
The jab can keep Ricky off balance and keep him from setting up properly. In his haste to get past the jab he may resort to lunging a bit and that will create even more openings for Kostya’s counters.
I look for Tszyu to fight a smart and patient fight. I see him forcing Hatton in to making a lot of mistakes and then making him pay. Hatton is a rugged kid and it will be a chore to take him out of there but in the end I look for Tszyu to wear him down and stop him in the later rounds.
Next up for Kostya, hopefully the winner of Arturo Gatti and Floyd Mayweather Jr. Although Arturo Gatti is one of my favorite fighters, I look for Floyd to win that one. Tszyu-vs-Mayweather Jr., now there’s another story…